ahunter'sltfe. 391 



iug, or before a sliower of rain, which destroys all smell, 

 has never failed to catch a wolf as tliey are runnin-!: about 

 in search of the little boues. 



The method used for trapping bears and wolves will 



answer also for panthers, catamounts, wildcats, and even 



"foxes. Care must, however, be used with foxes, as they 



are about as cunning as the wolf, and of course the same 



precautions should be observed in trapping them. 



Trapping the otter is an easy task, compared with the 

 wolf and the fox. The otter lives in the rivers and larger 

 creeks, and eats the cray, and all other kinds of fish that 

 it can catch, as well as insects living in the water. Like 

 the beaver, it builds a house, commencing the mouth of it, 

 or door, in the water, to avoid giving the scent to its pur- 

 suers. It digs or scratches into the bank, rising higher 

 and higher, until the dwelling is placed above the highest 

 stage of water, and the opening is deep enough below the 

 surface to escape the notice of its enemy. It then makes 

 a large place in its hole to hold leaves, grass, moss, etc., 

 which serve to keep it warm in winter, and in which it 

 sleeps during cold weather. 



During the warm days in winter, the otter comes out on 

 the ice to play ; diving under the water and catching fish 

 while they are stiff with the cold, and can't escape. 

 Where the fish are collected in great numbers, in deep 

 water, it dashes suddenly among them, and thus makes 

 sure of catching some. In playing, the otter seeks steep 

 banks, and, sitting on its hind-parts, and supported by its 

 fore-feet, it slides down a bank ; climbing up again and 

 again, until it is tired of the fun, when it leaves some of 

 its musk on the place as a token that it has been sliding 

 there. Every otter which comes to that place and smt;lld 

 the odor, will roll over, and cut all kinds of capers upon 

 the bank and in the water, till they get tired ; after which 

 Ihey deposit th'^ir musk in like manner. 



