64 HUNTER'S AND TRAPPER'S GUIDE. 



the original slides with natural bait ; this will 

 fool the oldest beaver that lives. 



Use your boat if possible while setting 

 traps for beaver, but if you cannot do that, 

 make use of your rubber boots, being careful 

 not to drag through the brush. 



Skin the beaver by starting the knife in 

 the center of the under lip, split the skin to 

 the tail, and skin the legs whole ; be careful 

 and not leave any fat or pelt on the skin, as 

 it is much easier to take off with the knife 

 while skinning than after you have gotten 

 the skin off. 



Use the hoop-stretcher in stretching the 

 beaver or any other open skin. Cut small 

 holes about two inches apart around the 

 edge of the skin and make it fast to the hoop 

 with twine or bark ; place the stretching stick 

 lengthwise with the skin and stretch the 

 hoop until the skin is perfectly tight. 



The hoop-stretcher is described on page 

 28. 



