174 FUR FACTS 



intervals. The methods for setting traps and placing the Funsten 

 Animal Bait differ according to the locality, the seasons of the year, 

 conditions of snows, etc. The following methods have been found 

 successful, and are written by men who have had long experience 

 in trapping wolves. All of these men are prize winning trappers. 



Winner of First Prize for Trapping Wolf 



"Any method used in trapping must be governed by surrounding 

 conditions, to be successful; if using a bait to attract the animal, it 

 should be placed where traps can be covered with some substance 

 that Nature has provided, as sand, decayed wood, leaves, manure or 

 snow. 



Before setting traps, special care should be taken to destroy all 

 human scent, and the scent of steel as much as possible, dipping 

 traps in melted beeswax being a very good method, or burrowing in 

 manure or sage leaves. Boiling in strong sage tea will kill the scent, 

 but each di^erent method should be used when traps are to be covered 

 with something of corresponding odor. I sometimes kill and use an 

 old horse or cow for bait. 



In using a horse or cow for a bait, it will be found best to let the 

 wolves start to eating before placing traps around, and when possible 

 set traps during a snowstorm, so that traps may be snowed over 

 evenly, and if it is still storming when wolves call around, they will 

 very seldom suspicion any danger. Do not be in a huny: "Haste 

 makes waste," but choose proper weather for setting traps. If trap- 

 ping on snow ,use cold, stormy weather. If in summer, the weather 

 does not cut so much figure. In setting traps, place sheep's wool or 

 cotton under pan of trap, to prevent anything from getting under. 

 If snow is not to be had, use manure from stomach of animal, if 

 possible. Do not try to trap the wolf in soft winter weather, but 

 take your traps away from the bait. Do not place too many traps 

 around one bait. Three, usually, is sufficient; two close to spot 

 that wolf has been working on, and one six or seven feet away. A 

 clog may be used on traps to advantage, in place of staking trap 

 tight, on account of the animal taking the trap away from the bait 

 without disturbing the ground, as it would do if staked solid. Yet 

 there is considerable danger of losing game and traps in storms, as 

 the foot of the animal will come off in two or three days, if in a trap, 

 whether the trap is staked solid or simply hanging to the foot. A 

 very heavy weight may be used, so that the animal will not be able 

 to drag it but a short distance, a rock being an ideal weight, as it 



