Science of Trapping

of these animals being the principal food of many tribes of savages and the skins being used for clothing; but it was only after furs became a staple article o

tion of trapping was monopolized by the native inhabitants, but later some of the

mer, ranchman or other person whose calling brings him close to nature who is not more or less interested in the fur-bearing animals. Wild animals are not all hunted for the sake of their furs. There are some such as the wolf, coyote, mountain

dollars or more each season, but the number who do as well as that is comparatively small. By far the greater number of trappers are those who follow other occupations and

in most cases do far better in his own home district than he would by going into some place with which he is not familiar even though the fur-bearing animals be more plentiful there than at home.

he mink is also. Skunks are found almost everywhere and the ease with which they may be captured makes the trapping of them a lucrative business. Foxes are found in most of the hilly sections and while they are not so easily captured, one can make a success of it if he gi

re in even the roughest experiences. Once one has followed trapping for a few seasons it is almost impossible to give up the wild, free life. The study of the habits

many of the most expert have discarded the wooden traps entirely. However, both the deadfall and the snare are good traps for certain animals and it is well to know how to make and use them for one may sometimes see a good place in which to place a trap but may not have a steel trap along. In such cases the knowledge of how to

designed which will equal in popularity and general usefulness the old time jaw trap, commonly known as the "steel trap". These traps have been impr

he most wary animals as well as the most stupid and will work perfectly under all conditions whether set in the water or on dry land, on the snow or on a log or stump or the side of a tree. They may be use

g regarding the use of traps I will outline briefly the methods usually e

t common way is by setting the trap in the entrance to some natural enclosure, such as a hollow log or stump, a hollow between trees, or a hole in the rocks, or under a stump the bait being placed in the enclosure beyond the trap

or at the entrance of its den. Failing to find such a place the trapper carefully studies the route of the animal and selects a place where some natural or artificial obstruction will crowd it into a cer

get the trap in the right position for to miss catching an animal not only means its loss for the time being but many of them will become wiser from such experiences and their capture wi

therein. To make the trap rest solidly so that there is no danger of it being tipped over also to make the jaws set level, the spring should be twisted around towards the jaw which is held down by the trigger or "dog". The trap should then be covered with some light, dry material in keeping wi

ect Position at

ced that the jaws will be lengthwise of the animal's approach so that it will step between the jaws and not ove

will enable the ring of the trap chain to travel easily its entire length. The most common way of using the sliding pole is to thrust the small end into the bed of the stream and fasten the other end securely to the bank. The pole should have a few branches near the small end to prevent the ring from sliding off. All water animals when caught in traps plunge into deep water

e the trap the length of the chain into the deepest water available, t

hain may be dropped through the ring so as to form a loop which is slipped over the clog, a few snags being left stand to prevent the chain from being drawn over the end. When setting for bears the ring is slipped over the clog,--a pole,--and fastened with a spike or wedge. Some trapp

own solidly, the stake being driven out of sight but this

trimmed of its branches and planted firmly in the ground. The trap is fastened to the small end which is drawn down and held in that position by being hooked lightly under a crotched stake or a link of the chain may be hooked

alanc

apling, the trap being secured to the small end. It is so balanced that the weight of the butt will not only lift the trap but th

ly nor too hard. Rust on traps is not desirable and may be prevented to a great extent by boiling the traps occasionally in a solution of evergreen boughs, maple, willow or oak bark or walnut hulls. This will give the traps a blue-black color and they will not rust for a considerable length of time. New traps will not take the color very well but they should be boiled just the same

ot have as good a grip as one which has not been so treated. For my own part I would rather have my traps red with rust than to have them oiled, and i

where traps may be set from a boat or in the marshes where muskrat houses are plentiful as on some parts of the Atlantic Coast, can easily handle from seventy-five to a hundred or more traps, looking at them once a day. The marten trappers of the Northwest sometimes use five or six hundred traps, bu

various sizes so that they may be used for

nd the weasel. If the spring is of fair strength as it is in the higher grades they may also be used

is the best size for this animal. It is als

but the tendency among trappers is to use the 1 1/2 for larger game and the No. 1 for mink. It is the best size for sk

fox trap. It is also the best size for coon and is sometimes used for otter esp

r size to use for this animal. It is also used for catching the coyote, beaver, wil

s the proper size for that animal. The higher grades of this are also used

ng these animals. It is considerably heavier than the No. 4 and is fitted with a longer

r those who prefer a larger trap for this animal, the No. 5 will prove satisfactory, and it will also hold the grizzly, but is rather small f

demand from those trappers who desire special traps for some certain animals. Among these ma

in mind the higher grades only. In the following chapters devoted to the capture

Sk