' CHAPTER II. 
HOW TO LOCATE AND TRAP 
THE OTTER 
You will find otter on most all streams and lakes that are well 
supplied with fish. When trying to locate the otter, notice where 
two streams run together and one of the three points that is made 
by the junction of the two rivers or creeks. 
You will find the otter will come out and make what is known 
as an otter slide. This you will know by seeing where they climb 
the bank. As they arrive at the top of the bank you will notice where 
they rake up piles of leaves and thereon they will leave their deposit 
which consists mostly of fish scales. 
Where streams make a short bend and come back near together 
you will see where the otter will leave the stream and cross over 
land and enter the stream on the opposite side. Generally they will 
rake up leaves and leave their deposit just as they reach the top of 
the bank. They also go from streams to ponds and lakes—to see if 
they are doing this, go where the lake and stream come the closest 
together and look for their trails and slides. 
When making a set for otter you should have water at least four 
or five feet deep in which to drown him and if where he leaves the 
water is not this deep, you should go just above and just below, 
where you can find water four or five feet deep, and make slides 
yourself that resemble the otter’s natural slide. You can do this 
with a stick. Place your traps, from 8 to 10 inches under the water 
and conceal them well with rotten leaves and mud, and place your 
bait about two or three feet above your traps on the bank and cover 
it with leaves to protect it from rain and sunshine. Make your traps 
fast as shown by illustration of water sets. Should the water be 
deep enough to drown where the otter comes out you should make 
a set on his natural slide and one above and one below. Bait all three 
sets just alike, being careful to leave no scent of yourself and conceal 
your traps and stakes well. 
You can make dry land sets for otter also, but in so doing you 
will frighten the other otter and they will quit your territory. You 
will notice where he climbs the bank; just at the top of the bank he 
always passes a certain place. This is the most desirable place to set 
your traps. You will also see where the otter comes out on large 
trees that have fallen in the water with one end on the bank. In 
making a set on the log you should chop a notch in the log to receive 
your traps. Take rotten leaves and mud to cover the trap. Should 
you set your traps above the water’s edge cover them with moss. 
The covering should extend up and down the log for two or three 
feet, as though it grew there. When making dry land sets in freezing 
and snowy weather you can use a white piece of paper to cover your 
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