CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. 39 



be careful to keep at a proper distance from the trap while it 

 is unsprung, so as not to leave any disturbing scent on the 

 field of operations ; for the Otter's sense of smell is incredibly 

 delicate. 



The art of taking Otter in the winter under the ice is not 

 generally understood by trappers, and deserves an explanation. 

 These animals do not hibernate, but travel about in winter 

 as well as in summer. In the coldest weather they keep their 

 feeding boles in the ice open, and are frequently seen near the 

 edges, playing, sliding, and catching fish. They can be taken 

 by the following process : Ascertain the depth of water at 

 one of these holes, and cut a pole, suitable to the ring of the 

 chain, and long enough to rise some distance above the ice 

 when the butt is driven into the bottom. The ring of the chain 

 should be slipped on the butt before it is driven, and should 

 be free to traverse the length of the pole, except that a twig 

 should be left near the lower end to prevent it from slipping 

 off when you come to raise the trap. Two branches should 

 emerge from one place toward the upper end, and should 

 be left three or four inches long. Drive the pole so that these 

 branches will be about eight inches below the ice, and fill into 

 the fork of the branches with evergreens, so as to give the 

 appearance of a bird's nest. Set your trap on* this nest, and 

 the Otter, climbing over it to assist him in emerging from the 

 water, will spring it and be taken. Then he will make a 

 desperate, plunge to the bottom of the stream, and the ring 

 of the chain sliding down on the pole, he will be unable 

 to rise again and will drown. In this way many can be 

 taken successively in a single trap. They travel mostly under 

 the ice in winter, and in their rounds visit all the feeding 

 holes on their way ; and are often taken in traps set as above 

 directed, when the holes are entirely frozen over. 



During the winter the migrations of the Otter on land are 

 toilsome, and it leaves a deep furrow or path in the snow. 

 If a trap be set on this path the Otter is nearly certain to be 

 caught, as it has a strong objection to opening new paths 

 through the snow. 



Other methods of trapping the Otter than those I have de- 



