280 FUR FACTS 



Mink and coon were also present in numbers, but to catch them, 

 especially the mink, required skilled knowledge and its correct 

 application. The minks were lighter colored than some of the north- 

 ern minks I had seen, but of good size. I would see their tracks 

 along the streams and lakes, sometimes where they had passed over 

 submerged and mud-covered logs; sometimes where they had entered 

 holes in the banks for exploration or plundering purposes. 



Now as my provisions had given out and I was far from any 

 trading post, I learned to depend upon fried muskrat and roast coon 

 for sustenance; indeed, I might say that these two dishes comprised 

 my principal diet and I began to actually relish them as I would 

 chicken or duck. 



Speaking of coon reminds me of an incident that occurred that 

 winter — or rather a series of incidents which led up to the capture 

 of the animal. Noticing the tracks of a large coon along the river 

 where he had been frolicking with a fish or clam, I decided that his 

 pelt would make a nice addition to my collection. Judging by the 

 results of my initial sets he doubtless had other uses for his hide. 



Near the tracks was a large log, one end of which was projecting 

 out into the water. Many trappers would have considered that a 

 trap set at the land end of the log would have been an admirable one. 

 So it would — for mink — but the muddy top of the log told me that 

 here would be a better one for Mr. Coon. His tracks were numerous 

 on the top of the fallen monarch of the forest, showing that he was 

 in the habit of playing or devouring his "three squares" there. 



Accordingly I began preparations for his capture. In the mud on 

 the log I hollowed out a depression just large enough to insert a trap 

 comfortably. Over the trap I spread some wild goose feathers 

 freshly plucked from the bird. Then I fastened the chain to the log 

 and departed for the night confident that such a set would prove Mr. 

 Coon's undoing. Such a cumbersome and unwary animal as a coon 

 would never evade capture, I thought. 



The next morning my visit to the spot was postponed by necessity. 

 I first visited some sets up the river and on the shore of a little lakelet 

 down the stream. When I finally arrived at the place where I 

 confidently expected to see Mr. Coon struggling frantically to free 

 himself, night had fallen. But for the full moon, darkness would 

 have prevented my seeing anything. 



From a distance of fifty feet I could see that the trap had been 

 sprung and was dangling over the edge of the fallen tree. A few 

 gray hairs in the jaws bore unmistakable evidence of a close call. 



