382 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



by this method are under one year old, indicating clearly 

 that wariness increases with age in the wolves. They 

 are sometimes trapped without bait, and sometimes with 

 it. In the former instances the traps are sunk level with 

 the ground in a narrow trail, as in an opening between 

 bushes, and the chain and trap covered, but not too 

 deeply, with leaves and grass. In the latter they are 

 usually placed near a wolf trail, and are likewise con- 

 cealed with leaves or grass. Bait is left near in large 

 or small chunks. It should be trailed some distance if 

 practicable from the saddle horse a couple of days after 

 the traps have been set, to put the wolves on the scent. 

 It should be put in place from the saddle. Some trappers 

 rub their hands on tainted meat or with some scent as oil 

 of anise before handling wolf bait. Nothing less than 

 what is known as a number four double spring trap 

 should be used and the chain should be correspondingly 

 strong and attached to the trap with a swivel. The chain 

 should be securely wired to an anchor, as a fallen timber, 

 a strong bush or twisted iron stakes driven down below 

 the surface of the ground. Success in trapping is in no 

 slight degree dependent on the use of scents that will 

 attract the wolves. Musk has proved effective in a con- 

 siderable degree. Asafoetida is less effective. Urine 

 taken from the wolf's bladder is probably more effective 

 than either. 



Wolves are not easily poisoned, as they will not 

 readily consume any food which has been handled by 

 man. Coyotes are more suspicious regarding such food 

 than timber wolves, and are, therefore, less readily poi- 

 soned. They may be poisoned in some instances by drop- 

 ping, preferably from the saddle, small chunks of poi- 

 soned meat, preferably fat, along a trail. Strychnine 

 about the size of a walnut is almost the only poison used, 

 and in the pure sulphate form. The strychnine, as crystals 

 or capsules, should be inserted in the meat with a knife 

 blade. Four grains are enough for a mature wolf. The 



