CHAPTER XI. 



TRAPPING AND SNARING IN A HUNTING 

 COUNTRY. 



When vermin-trapping is mentioned the majority 

 of hunting men at once shake their heads, for the 

 mere name of a steel-trap conjures up visions of 

 foxes minus legs or feet ; some even forbid the 

 use of such traps upon their estates, for fear 

 a fox should be injured, but when doing this 

 they are going too far, as no keeper can deal 

 effectively with vermin without the assistance of 

 steel-traps. Till something better is invented they 

 must remain the best implements for the purpose. 

 Stringent trapping for vermin is more necessary 

 in a hunting country than in any other, for foxes 

 do quite enough damage to game without there 

 being losses from other and preventable causes. 

 If vermin are allowed to work unchecked, which it 

 practically amounts to upon estates where the 

 setting of a steel-trap is prohibited, some of the 

 harm done is sure to be ascribed to foxes, and in 



G 2 



