ADVICE FROM A VETERAN. 



233 



on sod, fasten the chain as before and scatter bits of apple on the 

 sod. 



* * * 



Now, boys, as many of you are about to seek new trapping 

 locations, and as I have had more or less experience in trapping 

 from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and as I get many letters from 

 brother trappers as to different trapping locations, I thought per- 

 haps that it would not come amiss to give you a little of my 

 experience in regard to this matter. I would advise that before 

 you go to a new location in other states from those in which 

 you are familiar with the game laws, that you first write to the 

 State Game Commissioner of the state that you intend to trap in, 

 enclosing 10 or 15 cents in stamps, and ask for a copy of the 

 game laws, or for the information that you desire. The address 

 of the Game Commissioner is usually at the capital of the differ- 

 ent states. Advice on game laws is generally so meager that it is 

 often misleading, and one relying on newspaper information, often 

 runs up against problems that he would not have undertaken had 

 he known the exact truth of the matter. The game laws of the 

 different states are changed so often that the only way to get re- 

 liable information is to go direct to headquarters. Now, some states 

 have local laws, county laws, and some states have even township 

 laws. 



I will also speak of writing to trappers for information as to 

 the quantity of the furbearing animals and game in their locality 

 as another way to get posted. 



Now, while I hope that the average trapper is as truthful as 

 mankind generally, I am aware that a trapper will sometimes ex- 

 aggerate as to the amount of game in his locality. If the person 

 whom you make the inquiry of, is not particularly interested in 

 trapping, or knows but little about trapping and wild life, he is 

 liable to think there is much more game in his county than there 

 really is. And on the other hand, if the party makes a business 

 of trapping, he is quite liable to think that game is less plentiful 

 than it really is. It is a good plan to write to two or more parties 

 in the same neighborhood, on this matter, if you can, and then 

 draw your own conclusion as to the scarcity or plentifulness of the 



