252 FIFTY YEARS A HUNTER AND TRAPPER. 



of putting out traps too early in the season, it is far better that 

 we begin trapping in October, than it is to continue trapping until 

 into March, for such animals as mink, fox and skunk begin to fade, 

 or become rubbed, while the mink that is caught in October, 

 has nearly its full amount of fur. Still, the flesh side of the 

 skin is a little dark, which gives the dealer a chance to quote 

 the skins as unprime, notwithstanding the pelt has its full value 

 as to fur purpose. And as to furs caught in March, the dealer 

 has a chance to quote "springy." 



And brother trappers of the States, do not put off yor.r 

 shipments of furs until late in March. It has been my experience 

 where furs are shipped late in the spring, the returns are mark? 1 

 "springy," "rubbed," etc., notwithstanding the skins, or at least 

 part of them, may have been caught in December or January. 



Comrades, let us work for our own interest, for no one w'll 

 do it for us. And, Comrades, you are certainly aware that the do^ 

 man is playing every card to put the trapper in the hole. 



Comrades of the trap line and trail, I wish to ask your ideas 

 as to whether it is advisable to stick to the taking of the fur 

 and game late and early, all the year' around. We know that we 

 all like the sport, and the trapper is a little greedy, as well as 

 people of other occupations. But, is it wise to take a mink, 

 fox or other fur bearing animal so late or early in the season 

 that the skin is not worth more than one-third of what the same 

 skin would have brought in a prime condition? 



On the 18th day of March, 1912, a neighbor, who had put in 

 many a day on the trap line with the writer, a man who with 

 his three younger brothers makes a business of trapping every 

 season and makes good money, came to my house with a female 

 fox skin that he had just caught. I glanced at the skin and re- 

 marked that the skin was of but little value. My friend replied 

 in an angry tone, "No. It ain't !" And that is not the worst of it- 

 she would have soon had five young foxes. I said, "You will keep 

 it right up, won't you, Fred." "No, I am done now," he answered. 

 But I said, "Fred, that is what you say every year." 



