FUR FACTS 89 



thing near by, such as a dead limb, for what you tie to need not be 

 very heavy. Then it is best for you to throw water where you have 

 been tramping around. 



Many animals slightly caught get away, and to avoid this most 

 of the sets can be placed by the water, and by using a wire attached 

 to the chain, you give the animal a chance to go into the water. The 

 impulse of the animal is that the water is his protection. He lunges 

 at once for the water, and is soon drowned, for a No. 1 Trap will 

 drown a mink or rat in a foot of water. 



I have had good luck with water-sets, and with Funsten 

 Animal Bait. I regard a spring coming out from the banks as 

 sure places for a catch. When I find such a place I keep my trap 

 there; in fact, it is a bad habit to move traps often. Be sure you 

 make a good set. 



In selecting the water-set, you will see, by close attention, where 

 the mink comes up out of the water. With your stick reach down and 

 punch out a cavity large enough to settle the trap so it will be three 

 or four inches under water. Put trap down with spring up ; bear down 

 a little to settle the trap. Then find some water-soaked leaves to cover 

 the trap; fasten trap to a drag, say a dead limb; for, if caught the 

 trap will drown him, and the stick is only a means of keeping trace 

 of your game. Again you will notice bluff rocks — any large rock at 

 either end of which there is a gradual slope from the water up to the 

 land, furnishing good water-sets. A mink is almost sure to pass 

 around these rocks, so such places form good water-sets. The trapper 

 ought to carry with him a cup or can so that he can dash water all 

 about where he puts his hands, or does much tramping about. 



The trapper should take his time in selecting a place to set, and 

 in making the set he should do the same; first, feeling confident that 

 he has made a good selection, then taking pains and making a careful 

 set, then he will go to his traps with confidence. (Note — Where 

 you catch one is the place to catch another, provided you do not tramp 

 around and make too much sign.) In going to your traps you 

 should go cautiously, and when near enough to see that they are not 

 disturbed, go away, if possible, without making a path to them. 

 Don't leave any whittling or fresh cutting. Such things give signs 

 to other trappers, and hunters can trace you to your traps. If you 

 are cautious, you can set a trap, and if no one sees you, no one can 

 find your trap. 



At times during the winter the creeks and large branches are 

 generally frozen over, but the water soon runs down leaving what 



