g8 FIFTY YEARS A HUNTER AND TRAPPER. 



"No, that is all nonsense. Get the clamps out of the knap- 

 sack and we will set the bear trap. We set the trap this way so that 

 the bear goes in lengthways of the jaws, not crosswise of them. 

 We will now place the trap in this hole that we have dug out, 

 so that the water will be deep enough to cover the trap and be 

 sure that the jaws rest firmly on the ground, so that if the bear 

 should step on the jaws, the trap would not tip up. Some trappers 

 do not do this and then they think that the shy animal turned the 

 trap over. We will now cover the trap with those water soaked 

 leaves after which we will take this piece of moss as large as your 

 hand, and with this forked stick put the moss on it, and place it on 

 the pan of the trap." 



"Would the bear smell it, if you put it on with your hands?" 



"No, but if the trap should accidentally spring it would be better 

 to catch the stick than your hand. Now we will cut this coon 

 carcass into two or three pieces and put it back in the bait pen about 

 three feet from- the trap. There we have it fixed all right. We will 

 now go over the ridge to where there is another bear trap set and 

 will eat our lunch as we go along." 



"How did you know that a fox would go on that log where 

 that trap was set?" 



"By knowing the nature of the animal. When the f.ox smelled 

 the bear bait in the pen there, I knew that he would get on the 

 highest point near the pen to investigate and that point was that 

 log." 



"Is this the only way you catch foxes?" 



"No, that is only one of the many ways. Here we are; the 

 trap is right down in the head of this hollow ; that is a dark place 

 down there, yes, that is the kind of a place that bears like to travel 

 through. I can see the pen, but I do not see the clog. Yes, the 

 clog is gone, I guess that Bruin has put his foot in it this time. 

 Now go still and look sharp and see if we can find him anywhere 

 for a bear will try hard and get away when they first see you. He 

 has gone this way, see how he has torn down the brush and has 

 turned up those old logs. He will not do that long and after a 

 little we may be obliged to circle in places to find the trail. Here 

 he has gone up this steep side hill but he will not go far that way. 



