320 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. XL 



piece of old cowhide may be used to stand on and to pile the loose earth 

 on while burying the drag and trap. 



''For coyotes use the best No. 3 double spring-trap, unless in a wolf 

 country, where it is better to use a trap strong enough to hold a wolf. 

 In setting the trap use the same method and bait as for wolves, but the 

 traps may be staked or fastened to a stationary object with more safety. 



USE OF SCENTS. 



''Success in trapping depends largely on the use of a scent that will 

 attract wolves and coyotes to the traps and keep them tramping and 

 pawing there until caught. Meat bait alone is of little use, and often, 

 indeed, scares the animals away. Of the many scents and combinations 

 tested the fetid bait has proved most successful. 



^^ Fetid halt. Place half a pound of raw beef or venison in a wide- 

 mouthed bottle and let it stand in a warm place (but not in the sun) for 

 two to six weeks, or until it is thoroughly decayed and the odor has 

 become as offensive as possible. When decomposition has reached the 

 proper stage, add a quart of sperm oil or any liquid animal oil. Lard 

 oil may be used, but prairie-dog oil is better. Then add i ounce of 

 pulverized asafetida and one ounce of tincture of Siberian musk or 

 Tonquin musk. If this can not be procured, use in its place i ounce of 

 dry, pulverized castoreum (beaver castor) or i ounce of the common 

 musk sold for perfumery. Mix well and bottle securely until used. 



"After setting the trap, apply the scent with a stick or straw or 

 by pouring from the bottle to the grass, weeds, or ground on the side 

 of the trap opposite that from which the wolf would naturally approach. 

 Never put scent on the trap, as the first impulse of the wolf after snuffing 

 the scent is to roll on it. 



"This bait is very attractive also to cattle and horses, which are 

 sure to tramp over and paw out the traps, if set where they can be 

 reached. 



POISONING. 



"No poisoning has yet proven so effective as pure sulphate of 

 strychnine, provided the proper dose is used. The most effective dose 

 is 4 grains for wolves and 2 grains for coyotes. The common 3 -grain 

 gelatine capsules sold by druggists will hold, if well filled, 4 grains of 

 strychnine and are better than the larger capsules. The regular two- 

 grain capsules should be used for coyotes. The capsules should be 

 filled, securely capped, and every trace of the intensely bitter drug 

 wiped from the outside. Each capsule should be inserted in a piece 



