66 FUR FACTS 



Muskrats can also be trapped very successfully at the mouth of 

 their holes, where they enter the bank above or partly below the 

 surface of the water. But the first plan I consider the best for taking 

 the Muskrat. I have caught seven rats in one trap by this method 

 in eight nights. There is no method of trapping for Muskrats equal 

 to a good steel trap, set according to your best knowledge and ac- 

 quaintance with the animal. 



A trapper can't tell all he knows in a way to be understood, unless 

 he is talking or writing to a trapper. In order to be successful, he 

 must possess a knowledge of the habits and ways of the animal he is 

 after, and set his traps according to his best judgment. 



The most successful bait for fall and winter trapping for the 

 Muskrat is good, mellow apples or the Funsten Animal Bait for 

 Muskrats. I think the latter best for spring work." 



Second Prize Winner for Muskrat, by Perry ^V^ard. 



"I give below my plan for trapping Muskrats: 



Now every one who knows the habits of the Muskrat knows 

 that they enter their burrows from underneath the edge of the water. 

 My way to trap them is to find where their burrows are, and set the 

 trap in the mouth of burrow, under the water, and fasten the chain 

 out in the water as far as the chain will allow. When this is done 

 they will drown themselves and so avoid driving other Muskrats 

 away. If you can not find their burrows, set your trap about six 

 inches out in the water and three under water, set a stick up by the 

 trap, let it protrude about six inches above the water, put a piece 

 of an ear of com or apple on the stick, and put on a plentiful supply 

 of Funsten's Animal Bait. They will be attracted by the scent of the 

 animal bait and go right into the trap. It catches them by the hind 

 feet every time." 



Third Prize Winner for Muskrat, by Byrt Blackburn. 



"I have trapped muskrats in the following way with great suc- 

 cess: Find a place where they run; take a piece of carrot and put 

 a little of Funsteii's Bait on it; then get a stick about two feet long, 

 put ybur carrot on one end, stick the other end in the bank, so that 

 the bait will be about eighteen inches above the water, where it is 

 about four inches deep. Then take a No. 1 trap, set it under the 

 bait and stake it out in the water the full length of the chain. This 

 will keep Mr. Rat off the bank, for if he gets out of the water he is 

 apt to get away." 



