CIRCULAR 8, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



Figure 4. — A No. 2 double-spring steel trap partially set in position in the hole made in the 

 ground for it. The base of the trap is about 8 inches Trom the base of the clump of grass; 

 the springs are bent back and extended toward the clump; and the trap pad is in place 

 over the pan. The chain is buried in a small hole next to a stake driven into the ground 

 out of sight at the end of one of the springs. 



to contain the trap (fig. 4), putting the soil removed on the setting 

 cloth. The cavity may be made deep enough so that the chain can 

 be folded beneath the trap and the stake driven into the ground out 

 of sight nearby. Set the trap level and solidly so that it will not tip 

 if the fox should step on the jaws. Firmly embed the base and fill in 

 with earth under the jaws, being careful to keep the space beneath 

 the pan clear. Cover the pan with the trap pad, placing the ends of 

 the pad beneath the jaws, as shown in figure 4. Cover the entire trap 

 with earth free of sticks and stones, placing the surface soil first re- 

 moved and put on the setting cloth on the top so that the ground above 

 the trap will appear as natural as possible and blend with the sur- 

 roundings (fig. 5). The soil or dust over the trap should be about 

 half an inch deep and its surface slightly below that of the surround- 

 ing ground. The fox is less likely to scratch and expose the trap 

 without springing it if there is no mound over it. 



A few drops of scent should then be placed on the small bush or 

 plant near which the trap is set. The scent may be put on a small 

 wad of wool or cotton placed at the base of the bush about 8 inches 

 from the trap in such a manner that it will not blow away or be car- 

 ried off by mice or birds. A stick or a piece of bark may be used to 

 cover it. The trapper should then pick up the setting cloth with 

 whatever dirt remains on it, and scatter the dirt at some distance from 

 the trap. With a stick or a bunch of weeds or grass he should brush 

 over the spot where the cloth was resting so that the area around the 

 trap will appear natural. 



