Trapping on the Farm. 



475 



make paths of clear water through herbage and mud in 

 shallow places, and leave their characteristic droppings on 

 stones and driftwood. Piles of mussel shells and partly 

 eaten roots are evidence that muskrats are living in the 

 vicinity. 



The size of steel trap usually set for muskrats is No. 1. 

 As these animals are quite unsuspicious, traps may be set 

 without bait in their paths or at the entrances to their bur- 

 rows. Bait, consisting of carrots, parsnips, or sweet apples, 

 may, however, be used to advantage, as muskrats are very 

 fond of these foods. The bait may be placed on a bank, or 

 suspended on a stick above the trap, which is generally a 

 little below the surface of the water. Unless a captured 



Fig. 19. — Simple Box Trap for Catching Muskrats in Narrow Streams. 



The wire doors being hinged at the top stay closed except when muskrats 

 swim against them from the outside. The wires are long enough to prevent 

 the doors from swinging outward. 



muskrat can immediately get into deep water and drown, it 

 is likely to twist its leg off above the trap and escape. 



The box trap for catching muskrats in narrow streams, 

 shown in figure 19, may be built of four boards, each 8 

 inches wide and 42 inches long. The ends of this trap are 

 fitted with wire doors hanging by the upper edge. These 

 doors remain closed by their own weight except when 

 pushed open from the outside. A swimming muskrat can 

 enter it easily but can not escape from it. This trap is held 

 slightly under water by a weight of stones, a funnel of sticks 

 or stones being constructed to guide muskrats into it. 



A muskrat skin should have the tail and feet removed and 

 be cased flesh side out. 1 



1 See Farmers' Bulletin 869, " The Muskrat as a Fur Bearer, with Notes on 

 Its Use as Food." 



