Discontinuing the use of M-44 Devices that Deliver Sodium Cyanide from BLM- managed Public Lands

This Information Bulletin (IB) is to inform BLM employees of the amended Memorandum of Understanding between the BLM and APHIS-WS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services) on Wildlife Damage Management. The amended 2023 MOU prohibits the use of M-44 devices that deliver sodium cyanide on all BLM-managed public lands.

An M-44 is a spring-loaded device, staked in the ground at surface level, that can be loaded with a sodium cyanide capsule and baited to attract predator species. When triggered, the spring ejects a lethal dose of cyanide into the biting animal’s mouth, resulting in death within one to five minutes.

The BLM’s decision to ban M-44s that deliver sodium cyanide on public lands follows existing bans or use-limitations in Idaho, Oregon, California, and Washington. There is pending legislation to ban the use of M-44s on all public lands, and their use is currently prohibited on National Wildlife Refuges and National Park Service lands. Less than 1 percent of the M-44s used by APHIS Wildlife Services in 2022 were on BLM-managed lands.

M-44 cyanide devices have been implicated in several incidents, including one in Idaho in 2017 when a family dog was killed and a child injured after accidently triggering a device placed on public land 400 feet from their home. In another incident, a recreationist triggered an M-44 cyanide device while recreating on BLM-managed public land, resulting in long-term injury and ongoing health problems.

The BLM’s ban on M-44 devices that deliver sodium cyanide will not result in additional limits on other predator control techniques on public land. The BLM will also revise Manual Section 6830 Animal Damage Control to clarify the prohibition.

This IB was developed in coordination with HQ-600.