trap; common unruled letter paper is the best. Cut* an X in the 
center of the sheet and allow the X to rest on the tread pan of your 
trap; this will permit it to fall. Cover lightly with snow. 
You should not use a weak trap for otter as it will not hold them. 
The No. 2 or No. 3 Newhouse is the best size. If you will remove 
one of the springs from a No. 2 and place a No. 4 spring instead you 
will have one of the best otter traps known. It is a good idea to set 
from two to six traps at each set, as you will often catch several 
otter in one night, as they often travel in families. 
When you have made your sets, don’t move your traps until 
they catch, and if you know you are on a good runway, set your traps 
in the same places as the otter travel the same route for miles. You 
should not become discouraged should you have to leave your traps 
set for a week or two. The otter will return on his regular circuit. 
CHAPTER III. 
HOW TO LOCATE AND TRAP 
THE MINK 
You will find mink where there are plenty of fish, birds and 
rabbits. The sign is very small and you will have to look clo-e. You 
will find his tracks in the mud and swamp along the banks of ponds, 
lakes and small streams. You will also see where he catches small 
fish and crawfish and leaves their scales on the bank and logs near 
the water’s edge. You will find that mink travel just above the 
water’s edge. He also travels on the edge of the upper part of the 
bank, using this trail when he is traveling and using the trail near 
the water’s edge when he is fishing. You will also notice they travel 
all logs that run the same direction the trails are going. You will also 
notice that they land on logs and drifts when fishing. 
To be successful in trapping mink you should make sets on the 
trail near the water’s edge and use the water set rig to drown him. 
You should dig a hole in those trails to receive the trap; cover nicely 
with rotten leaves. You should also make sets on logs on which you 
see that they have been traveling. This you do by chopping a notch 
in the log to receive your trap and cover it nicely with sheet moss. 
You should fasten the trap so that when the mink is caught he will 
drown. When the freezing weather comes, however, you cannot 
drown them. You should make sets in the ends of hollow trees or 
under bluffs of rock that are sheltered from snow and place your 
trap and bait under the shelter. You can make small snow sheds 
for mink before the snow season. This you can do in many ways. 
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