7774 Quadrupeds. 



an Indian and never seen after. Wolves, when pressed by hunger, 

 often come into the square of the fort, and one was shot once when 

 endeavouring to effect an entrance into a meat store. 



There are five methods by which wolves are captured or destroyed — 

 by the pitfall, by the gin, by the trap, by the set-gun, aud by poison. 



By the pitfall : — This method is tolerably successful. A hole about 

 seven feet deep, broader at the bottom than at the top, is dug during 

 the summer: it is covered with twigs and grass, and after the first fall 

 of snow bears the saine appearance as the surrounding ground. In the 

 centre of the hole the bait is laid, and on approaching the animal falls 

 into the pit, when he is easily killed. 



By the gin or steel-trap : — The trap is set in the usual manner, 

 covered with snow and baited ; when caught the wolf struggles 

 violently, and if the trap be not very strong will escape, after which 

 he is very difficult to catch, as he will begin digging at some distance 

 from the trap, which, when reached, he will throw aside with his nose, 

 and devour the bait at his leisure. Once securely caught the wolf will 

 take the bar of wood, to which the trap is fixed by an iron chain, in 

 his mouth, and trot off at a desperate pace, seeking the worst country 

 he can find. I was once obliged to follow a wolf two days in this 

 manner, and only secured him in the end by the aid of dogs. 



By the wooden trap: — A large trap of strong pieces of wood is made. 

 First stakes are driven into the earth enclosing a circular space, with 

 two convenient saplings for door-posts, a log of wood or sleeper is laid 

 across the door, at the foot of these, with another longer and lighter 

 piece on the top, for the purpose of being lifted up when set. The 

 roof of the trap is then covered with small sticks and brush, some logs 

 of wood are laid as weights on the upper piece lying across the door, 

 and a strong stake is driven into the ground, to prevent the animal 

 when caught from hauling the top piece off the sleeper. The trap is 

 then prepared for setting ; to effect this some of the weights are thrown 

 off, and one end of the top piece lifted sufficiently high to permit a 

 stick about a foot long to be inserted upon the butt of the bait-stick, 

 which is about eighteen inches long, with a piece of fish or meat fixed 

 on the point, and is placed inside the trap. The weights are then 

 replaced, and some pine brush thrown loosely on the top. This fashion 

 of catching wolves is not very successful, except in the fall and 

 beginning of winter. 



By the set-gun : — This is a very sure method, though rather dan- 

 gerous to the hunter, if he do not take great care. The gun is lied 

 upon two saplings or stakes, set on purpose ; opposite the trigger is 



