TRAPPING. 



Within the borders of the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and 

 Michigan, the following fur-bearing animals are still more or less 

 plentiful: Bear, beaver, badger, wild-cat, fisher, fox, lynx, marten, 

 mink, otter, raccoon, skunk, wolverine, wolf and musk-rat. The 

 halcyon days of the trapper are gone; game is not what it once was, 

 but what there is pays well. Good bear, otter and fisher skins 

 bring ten to fifteen dollars in St. Paul. Marten or wolverine is 

 worth three to five dollars; a wolf is worth from two to four, and a 

 red fox about two. A silver-gray fox, when of the best quality, is 

 worth fifty dollars, hard cash. Beaver is sold by the pound, and 

 brings for prime qualities from three to four dollars. 



The skins of animals trapped are ahvays valued higher than 

 those shot, as shot not only make holes, but frequently plow 

 along the skin making furrows as well as shaving off the fur. To 

 realize the utmost for skins they must be taken care of, and also 

 cleaned and prepared properly. 



STEEL TRAPS are the best for all animals. They can be easily 

 moved from place to place; can be used equally well on land or 

 under water, and they do not injure the fur in the least. There are 

 a great variety of makes and sizes, the choice of which must depend 

 upon the game sought for, and the ideas of the trapper. The nuisk- 

 rat trap will also serve for the capture of tin mink, marten and all 

 other small fur-bearing animals. The mink trap proper is one size 

 larger than for the musk-rat, and will answer for the fox or fisher. 

 The otter trap will hold any medium sized animal as the beaver, 

 badger or wild-cat. The beaver trap proper will also do for the 

 wolf or lynx. For the bear or panther the largest size trap must be 

 used. 



THE DEAD FALL constructed by the trapper himself often does 

 most effective w^ork in taking various animals. It consists of 



