TRAPPING. 33 



CHAPTER IV. 



TBAPPING. 



Nothing is called more effectively into use in a game 

 country than a good set of traps. The various birds 

 of prey and animals taken by them far out-number those 

 brought down by shot-gun or rifle, and the specimens 

 are in much better condition for mounting than when 

 perforated with shot. 



Many noctural animals can be trapped when it would 

 be almost impossible to shoot them, as they rarely ven- 

 ture in open places during the day. The wolf, fox, lynx, 

 wild-cat, raccoon, skunk, opossum, mink, and weasel, 

 are of this class. 



A naturalist or hunter should carry a few small steel 

 traps in his belt, and set them whenever he may come 

 upon fresh "sign." The movements of animals can 

 never be anticipated, and often in the delay of returning 

 to camp for traps, they will have changed their quarters. 

 A successful trapper sets his traps with the earliest " sug- 

 gestions " of game, provides a good stock of bait, regu- 

 larly visits them, and keeps them free from snow. 



The best time to take animals is after a light snow, 

 when, from the tiny shrew to the "antlered buck," all 

 appear to be on the move. 



Animals have depot camps to which they resort at ir- 

 regular intervals during their peregrinations. When one 

 gains a thorough knowledge of the country, the runways 

 of animals can be marked and traps kept permanently 

 set for miscellaneous game. 



In winter, protected places should be chosen under the 

 banks of lakes and rivers where the snow will not blow. 

 High winds generally come from one quarter in winter, 

 and traps rarely need shifting. * 



