In the capture of various animals the employ- 

 ment of several other contrivances are necessary 

 but as these are best furnished from resources on 

 hand in any locality where the trapper's art is 

 practiced, they need riot be included in one's out- 

 fit, but which will be amply described and later 

 can be improvised. 



Often, after the securing of divers animals it is 

 necessary to provide some means rendering the 

 freeing of themselves impossible as they are not 

 adverse to even gnawing off their own legs to es- 

 cape. Again, while caught thus their cries or ef- 

 forts to escape often attract their enemies who 

 partly devour them. Hence the employment of 

 simple means to frustrate them as follows: 



No. 1. By Use of the "Spring Pole" Select a 

 small tree near where your trap is to be set, trim 

 it for use as a spring as it stands. If no small tree 

 is available select a small, stout sapling (and set- 

 ting it into the ground well and secure make it 

 answer the purpose.) Bend down its flexible top, 

 fasten the chain ring to it and secure it thus, while 

 in its bent position by a notch or hook or a small 

 stake driven in the ground. When the animal is 

 caught by his own struggle he dislodges the stake 

 or hook and the sapling springs into its normal 

 position, carries or lifts him in the air, out of reach 

 of prowlers and preventing his own escape by 

 struggle or otherwise. About the only special re- 

 quirement being that this spring pole be propor- 

 tioned to the weight of the game it is expected to 

 lift 



No. 2. "The Slide" As all water animals 

 are mostly trapped in close proximity to their 

 haunts or at the edges (even in their waters) and 

 as they invariably plunge therein when caught the 

 wily trapper avails himself and turns this into 

 good account, against the animal, thus making 

 doubly sure of his catch; to hold and drown him 

 there no matter what his size. This is arranged 

 by several means, the sliding pole or chain or a 

 very heavy wire often answering the same pur- 

 pose. This is secured to the bank and weighted 

 with a "clog" or heavy stone in the water. The 

 chain ring of the trap is then secured to this pole 

 or chain which reaches to the bottom of the water. 



91 



