THE OTTER 



deplete it to a greater extent than a host of fisher- 

 men would. 



Where otter signs are seen along small streams 

 or at favorable places along rivers, waiting for 

 them with a shotgun during evenings and moon- 

 light nights usually yields satisfactory results. 

 If one is shot, and there is no danger of the cur- 

 rent taking it away, it is well to keep quiet for 

 a time, as they often fish in pairs, and the second 

 frequently gives as good a chance for a shot as 

 the first. 



The whistling call of the otter can easily be 

 imitated, and at big rivers on a clear night call- 

 ing them is good sport. However, the sports- 

 man must be patient, as the otter will answer 

 immediately, but will take his own time in com- 

 ing. On small streams it is well to post oneself 

 as near as possible to the water, as otherwise the 

 otter will pass unseen in the shadow of the bank. 



Sometimes the otter travels for miles on land, 

 and if daylight surprises him there he will hunt 

 shelter for the day in any convenient hole. A 

 trap set in it, and the entrance closed with a boul- 

 der is usually the easiest way to get his skin. 



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