FUR FACTS 211 



cracking of the soil where the sagging roof of the ridge has been 

 raised again, a few particles of fresh earth thrust out to close a tiny 

 opening or crevice, the wilting of grass or foliage along the course 

 these are indications of an occupied run way. When in doubt the 

 question may always be settled by making a small breach in the 

 ridge, and if that particular part of the burrow is in use the mole will 

 invariably repair the break when he comes that way on his rounds. 

 By following this plan all the centers of mole activity on one's pre- 

 mises may be definitely located. In placing the trap one of the 

 stretches of the run that seems to be leading in some definite 

 direction should be selected, rather than one of the turns of a 

 labyrinth that may not be traversed every time the mole comes in 

 the vicinity. 



Before setting the trap it is well to ascertain the course of the 

 burrow by thrusting down a lead pencil or stick of about the same size. 

 The trap selected should then be lined up with the course as nearly 

 as possible; the jaws of the scissor-jaw type should straddle it, the 

 loops of the choker type should encircle it, and the spikes of the har- 

 poon type should be directly above it. In the case of the harpoon 

 type it is best to force the impaling spikes into the ground once or 

 twice to facilitate their penetrating into the burrow when the trap 

 is later sprung; this type of trap injures the pelts of moles impaled, 

 and is not recommended for use when it is desired to preserve the fur. 

 It is desirable in setting any of the traps to depress only that part of 

 the mole ridge that is immediately beneath the trigger pan, using the 

 hand instead of the foot for this purpose. A little earth may be 

 built up snugly under the pan if necessary. Avoid treading upon 

 other parts of the runways. It will pay to visit the traps at least 

 twice a day. 



The persistence of the mole in repairing breaks in his runways is 

 equaled only by that of the spider mending its torn web. One can 

 take advantage of this known trait not only in selecting locations for 

 trapping, but in planning the capture of the animal alive. Though 

 requiring more time and attention than trapping, the method of 

 catching moles by surprising them at work is fairly practicable. In 

 following this plan one should open up 5 or 6 feet of ridge in each of 

 the several distinct runway systems and make the rounds of sub- 

 sequent inspection every few minutes. When a mole is found repair- 

 ing a break he can be tossed out with a shovel and dispatched. 



Mole skins should be stretched square and not round. The 

 American mole is usually stretched rotund and is neglected somewhat 



