84 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 



rural trapper to sell his pelts to a local buyer 

 whom he knows and trusts than to ship them to 

 a distant dealer. In any event he ought to un- 

 derstand the points of quality by which his furs 

 are graded, and keep himself informed as to 

 current prices. 



Trapping the muskrat. Muskrats are not 

 suspicious and are easily trapped. They take 

 any suitable bait readily, especially in winter 

 and early spring, when green food is scarce. 

 A strong steel trap breaks the leg bone and in 

 struggling the animal is apt to tear loose, leav- 

 ing a foot, or part of it, in the trap. For this 

 reason the traps should be set so that the cap- 

 tives will quickly drown. The best baits are 

 carrots, sweet apples, parsnips, turnips, or 

 pieces of squash. Many trappers use scent to 

 attract the animals, but the practice is of doubt- 

 ful utility. 



Most muskrat trappers use the ordinary steel 

 trap (No. 1). The manner of setting it depends 

 upon the situation, and the skill of the trapper 

 is best displayed in selecting this. Muskrat 

 trails may be found along the banks of all 

 streams and ponds which they inhabit, and the 



