68 pioneek life; or, 



no trap, he would climb a tree and wait the approach 

 of the old wolf. About the first of December was 

 the best time for baiting them with meat, as the old 

 ones weaned their young at that season, and the 

 latter were scattered over the woods. The wolf 

 generally has from five to ten puppies. The meat 

 was sometimes roasted and dragged over the trail 

 for thirty or forty rods before baiting the trap With 

 it. The most favorable time for trapping wolves 

 was during rainy weather, as the rain would oblite- 

 rate the scent of the trapper. When there was no 

 rain, it was customary to carry along a pail of water, 

 and sprinkle on the_tracks for the same purpose. 

 When the hunter had his traps set, he would climb 

 into a tree and howl like a wolf until they collected 

 near, when they would get into the traps, or he could 

 shoot them from his retreat. The month of Febru- 

 ary was another favorable time for taking them, as it 

 le season for them to mate, when they collect in 

 great numbers. They can be easily taken in traps 

 at this season, as they are very ravenous, and will 

 run any hazard for the sake of the meat with which 

 the trap was baited. Another successful manner of 

 taking them was in what was called wolf-houses, 

 which were constructed in the folowing manner A 

 favorable place was found on the steep side of a hill, 

 in a place frequented by wolves in passing from 

 one stream to another. In the side of the hill a 

 hole was dug so deep that the upper side would be 

 on a level with the roof of the house. In this hole 

 the house, about ten leet square, was built and the 



