Trapping on the Farm. 



473 



are readily distinguishable from pocket-gopher hills, which 

 consist of loose earth without compact form. Furthermore, 

 gophers clo not make ridges as moles do. 



There are a number of kinds of mole traps on the market. 

 Those designed to spear the animals are not recommended 

 when fur is an object, as they damage the pelt. The scissor 

 and loop traps shown in figure 15 kill the animals without 

 injuring their fur. 



Fig. 17. — Choker-Loop Trap for Moles. 



Phantom view, showing trap placed in position on one 

 of the deeper runways of a mole's system of burrows. 

 The loops should encircle the runway through soil loosened 

 to allow quick action. 



Before setting a mole trap it is well to ascertain where the 

 animals are feeding. This may be done by stepping on the 

 ridges here and there, and looking over the ground on the 

 following day to see where they have been thrown up again. 

 Select a straight portion of the runway, open a section of it 

 wide enough to admit the trap, remove stones and other 

 obstacles which might interfere with the operation of the 

 trap, and replace enough of the dirt to cover the burrows. 

 Then set the trap as shown in figures 16 and 17 so the jaws 



