Cyanide Ejectors Back in Play: 'Restore M–44 Act' Lifts Ban on Controversial Predator Control Devices and Ends Congressional Oversight

This bill, officially titled the ‘Restore M–44 Act,’ is short but packs a punch, particularly for anyone concerned about wildlife management, public safety, and government transparency. In simple terms, it rolls back two major restrictions on how the Department of Agriculture (USDA) handles predator control, specifically involving a highly controversial, toxic device.

The bill first requires the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to immediately scrap a specific Master Memorandum of Understanding (MOU BLMMOUHQ230202305). These MOUs are basically formal handshake agreements between federal agencies, and rescinding this one suggests the USDA is looking to operate with fewer bureaucratic checks from Interior on land management decisions. For those who live or work near public lands, this matters because it could change how these two massive agencies coordinate on everything from grazing to wildlife control.

The Return of the M44 Cyanide Ejector

The biggest change is found in Section 3, which is all about the M44 device. If you haven't heard of it, the M44 is a spring-loaded device used to kill predators—primarily coyotes—by ejecting a dose of sodium cyanide powder into the animal’s mouth when it tugs on the bait. This bill explicitly cancels the previous restriction that prevented the USDA from buying, using, or training personnel on these devices, including the sodium fluroacetate chemical they use. Essentially, this means the USDA can now fully re-engage in deploying these cyanide bombs wherever they deem necessary for predator control.

Why is this a big deal? The M44 device is notorious for its indiscriminate nature. While intended for coyotes, they have killed countless non-target animals, including family dogs, endangered species, and even injured humans who accidentally trigger them. For a rancher whose livelihood depends on protecting livestock, this tool offers an aggressive, cost-effective way to control predators. But for a family hiking with their dog on public land, or a conservationist worried about accidental poisonings, the reintroduction of these devices represents a significant public safety and environmental risk.

Less Visibility, Less Oversight

Compounding the risk is the second part of Section 3: the elimination of reporting requirements. Under the previous restriction, the Secretary of Agriculture had to keep the House and Senate Appropriations Committees updated on their progress in complying with the ban on M44 use. The ‘Restore M–44 Act’ wipes out this requirement completely. This means that if the USDA starts deploying M44s again, Congress—and by extension, the public—will lose a key mechanism for overseeing where, how often, and with what results these toxic devices are being used. It’s a clear reduction in government transparency regarding the use of a dangerous chemical tool.