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Department of Conservation of Louisiana 



How the Cummins live trap works. This sort of live trap, or one modeled on its 

 general lines, it would appear, would be the most effective for use in muskrat marshes 

 affected by the rise and fall of the tide. 



One type of trap, invented by A. P. Cummins, of British 

 Columbia, a game warden in the service of that provincial 

 government, and manufactured by A. I. Johnson & Co., 

 Ltd., Vancouver, B. C, appeals to the author of this bulletin 

 as the one type of trap that comes nearest to being "the" 

 live trap for Louisiana and other tidal marsh muskrats. 



The illustrations show how it sets and works, and at- 

 tention is especially called to the fact that this trap has a 

 wooden floor — that it floats. Mr. Cummins names his trap 

 "The Humane Trap" and he calls attention to the fact that 

 it will catch and hold minks and other small mammals as 

 well as muskrats. 



The inventor describes the trap's use as follows : 



"In muskrat trapping it will be found best to float the trap in 

 rushes or near the bank of a stream or bayou and bait with an apple, 

 parsnip or carrot. Minks can be caught in the same way, but the 

 bai tshould be fish or flesh, fish oil or lure. Any of the smaller fur 

 animals, such as raccoons, foxes, weasels and skunks, can be trapped 

 the Humane way by finding a secluded spot used by these animals. 

 A hole is excavated large enough to take the platform of the trap, 

 letting it down to the level of the ground, covering the flooring with 

 leaves and earth to make it look like the surroundings, and the hole 

 camouflaged with grass and twigs. 



"In tidal waters and large marshes the Humane trap is unexcelled 

 as it can be floated and it can be found a necessity to the 'rat ranchers 

 and those who want live muskrats for fur farms. During the pelting 

 season 'rats can be caught, breeding stock selected and turned loose, 

 and the surplus pelted. 



"In my trap the animal's pelt is not damaged, as frequently happens 

 when ordinary steel traps are used, and trapped 'rats are frequently 

 badly bitten by other 'rats when held by the regulation jawed trap. 

 This cannot happen to a muskrat taken in one of my traps. 



