28 WOLVES IN EELATION TO STOCK^ GAME, AND FOREST RESERVES. 



of paper, and over this should be sprinkled fine earth until the sur- 

 face is smooth and all traces of paper and trap are concealed. The 

 surface of the ground and the surroundings should appear as nearly 

 as possible undisturbed. The dust may be made to look natural 

 again by sprinkling water on it. Touching the ground or other 

 objects with the hands, spitting near the trap, or in any way leav- 

 ing a trace of human odors near by should be avoided. Old, well- 

 scented gloves should be worn while setting traps, and a little of 

 the scent used for the traps should be rubbed on the shoe soles. A 

 piece of old cowhide may be used on which to stand and to place the 

 loose earth in burying drag and trap. 



A narrow trail may be made 

 by dragging the stone or scrap- 

 ing the foot from across the run- 

 way to the trap. A slender line 

 of scent should be scattered along 

 this drag mark or cross trail 

 and more of the scent placed 

 around the trap and 6 inches 

 beyond it, so that the wolf will 

 follow the line directly across 

 the trap, stopping with his front 

 feet upon it. With old, experi- 

 enced, and suspicious wolves, 

 however, it is better not to make 

 the drag mark, but to set the trap 

 with great care close to the side 

 of the trail and put the scent just 

 beyond it. If possible, place the 

 trap between two tufts of grass 

 or weeds, so that it can be readily 



FIG. 4.-Method of^fastenmg wolf trap to long approached f rom OUC sidc Ouly. 



USE OF SCENTS. 



Success in trapping depends mainly on the use of scents that will 

 attract the wolves to the neighborhood of a trap and keep them tramp- 

 ing and pawing until caught. Meat bait alone is of little use, for as 

 a rule the wolves kill an ample supply for themselves. Man}^ tests 

 of scents, both prepared baits and various animal musks, have been 

 made with wolves in the field and in the National Zoological Park. 

 While some have given a fair degree of success, others haA^e proved 

 worthless, and no one odor has proved entirely satisfactory. Experi- 

 ments are being continued, however, and new odors tried. 



Beaver musk (castoreum) and the commercial perfumery sold as 



