FUR FACTS 65 



Another method is to set the trap at the foot of the slidfes or runs. 

 Place the trap in shallow water, and on an overhanging weed or 

 branch, close to the trap, place a little animal bait. 



If muskrats are taken alive and are to be killed, a sharp blow on 

 the back of the head is the most humane method. Trappers usually 

 carry a short, stout club for this purpose. 



Several years ago Funsten Bros. & Co., St. Louis, offered $500.00 

 in prizes for the best trapping methods, and the First, Second and 

 Third prize winners are published herewith. These methods were 

 selected from the thousands submitted and are ideas of practical 

 men who have made trapping a business, and have devoted their 

 lives to the work. 



First Prize winner for Muskrat, by Willie M. Pasley . 



"The first thing to consider in setting a trap of any kind is that 

 the trap should be set in such a manner that the animal will be likely 

 to go to it. Second, that it will catch him when he comes; and last, 

 that he will not be able to get away when once caught. It is always 

 adyiseable to smoke the traps in burning hemlock, cedar, or juniper 

 boughs, or dip the traps in the blood of pigs that have just been 

 killed, if it can be procured. Now, having arranged this, your next 

 business will be to induce your animal not to be shy. If trapping in 

 the wild woods, the surrounding scenery will generally appear wild 

 enough, but near at home, or on the farm, care must be taken to 

 take away the appearance of preparation, yet preparation must be 

 made. 



Place the trap, size No. 1, equipped with triple grip jaws, in the 

 water where the animal's tracks indicate its recent presence. The 

 most successful trapping can be done where the bank of the stream 

 is twelve inches or upwards in height. If possible, find a place of 

 this kind, where the Muskrat has been climbing to feed. Set the 

 trap in the water one and one-half or two inches below the surface, 

 and in such a position that the Muskrat's hind feet will become 

 caught in the trap when he starts to climb the bank. It is best to 

 try to trap him by the hind feet. If the trap is fastened to a small 

 bush, which may be set against the bank about eighteen inches to 

 either side, the Muskrat will start for deep water, and while fight- 

 ing the trap will drown shortly after leaving the shore. He will be 

 readily located in the water, and can in most cases be gotten from 

 the bank without the use of a boat, but I recommend the use of a 

 boat when trapping for any water animal. 



