4 Miscellaneous Circular 69, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



the circle to grip (13, in fig. 2) arms of spring and hold them half 

 closed, and with the two free arms standing erect, 11 inches high, the 

 ends looped to desired height. Pushing this trigger in any direction 

 lifts the downward projections (grips) of the circle, releases the 

 trigger spring, and springs the trap. 



Trim the No. 16 woven wire for sides and bottom to fit inside of 

 arch of closed trap jaws and wire the bottom securely to top of base 

 bar at ends and middle and to ends of short cross bars. The inner 

 arm of spring should be thrust up through an opening in the mesh. 



Wire closed end of trigger spring to wire mesh of floor of trap, in 

 line with base bar, the free ends extending 2y 2 inches beyond center. 

 A wire loop or collar of No. 15 wire passed over both arms of trigj 

 spring near middle and under wire mesh will hold it in place and 

 prevent its opening too far. 



Attach a No. 15 galvanized wire to each arm of the trigger spring 

 at center line of trap, making the two wires cross and reach to mid- 

 dle hole of hinged trigger loops on opposite sides of trap. Fasten 

 the ends of the crossed trigger wires connected with trigger spring 

 through the middle holes in the free part of the hinge so that when 

 the sides of the trigger spring are open the upright trigger loops will 

 not reach the tips of the trigger bars, and when the trigger spring is 

 held together by the trigger grips the loops will remain on the ends 

 of trigger bars to hold down the trap jaws. 



Fasten upper edges of woven-wire side pieces to loops along trap 

 jaws, using No. 15 galvanized wire and lacing the edges together so 

 as to give flexibility to sides of trap. 



Rivet a flat hook (14, in fig. 2) loosely on top of each trap jaw, in 

 the holes drilled 8 inches from middle of .trap, facing the hooks oppo- 

 site ways, so that they will clasp the closed jaws and the trap can 

 not be opened from within. 



OPERATING THE TRAP 



Open trap jaws part way and place trigger on trigger spring to hold it half 

 closed and release tension on trigger loops. 



Bring down one jaw and secure it in place by trigger bar and hinged trigger 

 loop, holding loop upright by a safety hook (16, in fig. 2) to keep trap from 

 springing. Repeat the operation with other jaw. 



Lift trap by base bar or cross bar underneath, and carry edge up to the water 

 where it is to be placed, or, if set from a boat, slide the trap over one side until 

 the lower edge rests on the bottom, then lower as boat is pushed back, leaving 

 the trap in desired position. 



Release the safety hooks from trigger loops as last act when trap is satisfac- 

 torily placed. 



Set trap in beaver canal, in creek or feeding place, or in front of landing place, 

 in water about a foot deep, either on the bottom or on stones or forked stakes or 

 cross bars, with tip of trigger about 2 inches below surface of water. The 

 trigger can be bent over or straightened up to desired height for different depths 

 of water, varying from 10 to 16 inches. 



Scatter aspen twigs back of trap, so that to get them the beaver will have to 

 swim against the trigger, thus springing the trap. The»trap may also be sprung 

 by fastening one end of an aspen twig to the trigger and letting the other project 

 above the water so that the trigger will be moved when the twig is pulled by 

 the beaver. 



A captive beaver can be carried to camp inside the trap, or in a gunny sack, 

 which can be slipped over the head and body while the animal is still in the 

 trap. Considerable time and patience are required to prevent frightening or 

 exciting trapped beavers, and all movements should be slow and quiet, ('are 

 must be taken at first not to give the animals a chance to use their teeth, but 

 as soon as they get over being frightened they are easily handled. 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTI NG OFFICE : 192« 



