Secrets of Trapping 



About every other writer on these subjects goes 

 into more or less superfluous detail describing 

 each and every animal, color of their hair, weight, 

 length and in tracing the specie back to the days 

 it was first found; the purposes for which its fur 

 was used then. The methods in existence at that 

 time for their capture, together with varied (not 

 instructive) experiences in capturing them. 



All this, I admit, is interesting reading. But 

 what the "Tyro" needs today is information boil- 

 ed down. As to how to set traps and catch ani- 

 mals, the question of identification of species is an 

 easy matter, after they are caught, for nowadays 

 the trapper seldom finds in his trap what it was 

 set for, I do not then propose in a volume of this 

 size, to enter into such special details. And in- 

 stead of giving information covering the many 

 species, I shall confine my remarks to general in- 

 structions applicable to all animals. And instead 

 of dwelling on individual kinds, shall simply 

 classify them into with two species, viz: 



Aquatic and Land Animals For no matter 

 what the kind, much the same are the methods 

 used in their capture. About the only difference 

 being the size of the traps used. The methods 

 of setting and handling them varying very little. 



The Secret of Trapping Is in first locating 

 the haunts of the animal. If it is an Aquatic or 

 water animal, look for traces of them, closely in- 

 specting every portion of such waterways, swamps, 

 rivers, ponds or streams they inhabit. Search 

 every spot that would leave the impression of their 

 feet or body. Look about for "signs" that is the 

 first essential, then try and observe the route of 

 the animal so as to find their haunts. Look for 

 droppings, signs of recent meals, holes, and by 

 careful examination at these places, you are apt 

 to find a few hairs of the animal which will indi- 

 cate kind that frequents there. Secret yourself at 

 some point of vantage, w r atch and wait. True, it 

 takes time and patience, plenty of it, but it's abso- 

 lutely essential. Look for their runways, slides 

 and routes. This done, set your traps in these 



