,,m9k ,,trapp+4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,l>ge ,,m9k4 ,,m9k ,,trapp+ ,a ,,book ,,( ,,in/ruction ,,giv+ ,,_m ,,me?ods ,,( ,,trapp+--,a ,,valuable ,,book ,,= ,,trapp]s4 ,,edit$ ,,by ,a4 ,r4 ,,h>d+4 ,,publi%$ ,,by ,a4 ,r4 ,,h>d+ ,,publi%+ ,,co4 ,,columbus1 ,,ohio4 ,,copyright #aijf ,,by ,a4 ,r4 ,,h>d+4 ,,cont5ts4 ,i4 ,g5]al ,in=mation ,,ii4 ,m9k & ,_! ,habits ,,iii4 ,size & ,c>e ( ,sk9s ,,iv4 ,good & ,la/+ ,baits ,v4 ,bait & ,sc5t ,,vi4 ,places to ,set ,,vii4 ,indian ,me?ods ,,viii4 ,m9k ,trapp+ on ! ,prairie ,,ix4 ,s\!rn ,me?ods ,x4 ,nor!rn ,me?ods ,,xi4 ,unusual ,ways ,,xii4 ,ill9ois ,trapp]'s ,me?od ,,xiii4 ,exp]i5c$ ,trapp]'s ,ways ,,xiv4 ,_m ,good ,me?ods ,,xv4 ,salt ,set ,,xvi4 ,log & ,o!r ,sets ,,xvii4 ,po9ts = ! ,"y ,trapp] ,,xviii4 ,prop] ,size ,traps ,,xix4 ,deadfalls ,,xx4 ,/eel ,traps ,,li/ ,,( ,,illu/rations4 ,a ,l>ge ,m9k ,a ,m9k ,trapp] ,look+ = ,food ,good ,signs ,nicely ,h&l$ ,wiscons9 ,sk9s ,"s ,prime ,n4 ,e4 ,sk9s ,l>ge ,i[a ,m9k ,caught 9 ,midw9t] ,nor?we/]n ,sk9s ,trapp]'s ,%ack ,a ,good ,m9k ,/ream ,:]e ,signs are ,pl5ty ,indian ,trapp] ,camp+ ,out ,moses ,bone ,a ,"y ,trapp] ,l>ge ,s\!rn ,m9k ,caught 9 ,m9nesota ,a ,few ,good ,ones ,broke ! ,fa/5+ ,trapp+ ,d[n ,/ream ,ea/]n ,trapp] & ,traps ,b>ricade ,set ,nor?we/ ,trapp] & ,m9k ,nor!rn ,m9k ,trapp]'s ,%anty ,a ,few ,days' ,cat* ,?ree ,log ,set ,"s ,new ,york ,/ate ,sk9s ,pole ,deadfall ,/one ,deadfalls ,bo>d or ,log ,trap ,a ,good ,fa/5+ ,m9k & ,o!r ,/eel ,traps ,illu/ration3 ,a4 ,r4 ,,h>d+4 ,,introductory4 ,:ile !re are "s excell5t m9k trapp]s1 no "o man has /udi$ out all ! me?ods1 = ! conditions "u :i* ! trapp] 9 ! ,s\? makes 8 l>ge/ cat*es w\ld probably be ( little value to ! trapp] ( ! ,f> ,nor?1 :]e sn[ cov]s ! gr\nd ! great] "p ( ! ye>4 ,conditions along ! ,atlantic are diff]5t ?an ! ,pacific1 & z well ! me?ods us$ by ?\s&s ( trapp]s along ! ,mississippi & its tribut>ies diff] f ! ,ea/]n or ,we/]n ,coa/ trapp]1 = ! m9k's food is n ! same along ! fre% inl& wat]s z ! coa/ or salt wat]4 ,! me?ods publi%$ are f all p>ts ( ! c\ntry1 & _m exp]i5c$ trapp]s tell ( _! be/ me?ods1 s t x makes no diff]5ce 9 :at "p ( ,am]ica y live1 some?+ w be f\nd ( h[ to trap 9 y\r section4 ,mo/ ( ! articles are tak5 f ^? publi%$ 9 ! ,h-,t-,t ) slight correction4 ,a4 ,r4 ,,h>d+4 ,,m9k ,,trapp+ ,,*apt] ,i4 ,,g5]al ,,in=mation4 ,m9k are f\nd 9 ne>ly all p>ts ( ,am]ica liv+ along creeks1 riv]s1 lakes & ponds4 ,:ile /rictly speak+ !y are n a wat] animal1 yet _! travel+ = food & o!rwise is ma9ly ne> ! wat]1 s t ! trapp] f9ds ?is ! be/ place to set 8 traps4 ,! m9k is fond ( fi%1 rabbit1 squirrel1 birds1 mice1 etc4 ,9 "s sections !y eat muskrat1 b we believe !y pref] o!r animals1 only eat+ muskrat :5 v hungry & o!r game is sc>ce4 ,at c]ta9 seasons sc5t seems to attract !m :ile at o!r times ! fle% ( ! rabbit1 bird or fi% w attract !m4 ,! trapp] :o makes m9k trapp+ a bus9ess %\ld h v>i\s k9ds ( traps & sets = !m1 su* z /eel traps1 bo? bait & bl9d sets1 z well z deadfalls4 ,m9k1 :ile small1 are q /rong = _! size & v active4 ,:ile a ,no4 #j ,ne:\se w hold !m1 ! ,no4 #a is usually consid]$ ! prop] trap4 ,z already m5tion$1 m9k travel a great deal ne> wat]1 s t ! place to cat* !m is close to ! wat] or 9 ! wat]4 ,if y notice m9k tracks ne> ! wat]1 9 "s n>r[ place :]e ! bank comes ne>ly to ! wat] or a rock or log projects ne>ly to ! wat]1 c>efully dig a hole ! size ( y\r trap & an in* or m deep1 cov]+ ) a l>ge leaf or a piece ( pap] fir/4 ,!n place a ?9 lay] ( e>? remov$ ov] leaf or pap]1 mak+ ! set look z natural z be=e4 ,! dirt f ! hole = trap z tak5 out %\ld be ?r[n 9 ! wat] or to "o side4 ,"o ( ! great secrets 9 m9k trapp+1 especially bl9d sets1 is to leave ?+s z ne> z possible z !y 7 be=e ! set 0 made4 ,!re are v>i\s %ades ( m9k--"s q d>k1 o!rs br[n1 pale1 & "s cotton4 ,! great] numb]1 h[ev]1 are br[n4 ,9 ! ,nor!a/1 ,ma9e1 etc41 m9k are n l>ge1 b ! color is r d>k4 ,9 ! same latitude "s t5 or twelve hundr$ miles we/ 9 ,m9nesota & ,manitoba1 ,canada m9k are l>g] b n s d>k4 ,/ill fur!r we/ on ! coa/ ( ,wa%+ton m9k are aga9 small]1 be+ some:at simil> 9 size to ! ,ma9e m9k b mu* light] 9 color4 ,?r\gh\t ! c5tral section su* z ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,ill9ois1 ,i[a1 etc41 !y are l>g] ?an ! ,ma9e m9k b small] ?an ,m9nesota4 ,9 color n ne> s d>k z ! ,ea/]n or ,ma9e m9k4 ,! cotton m9k is f\nd pr9cipally 9 ! prairie & level sections4 ,9 g5]al appe>ance x is mu* ! same z a pale or light br[n m9k1 b on bl[+ into ! fur ! "u portion is :ite1 h5ce cotton4 ,su* sk9s are wor? mu* less ?an ! br[n & d>k ones4 ,9 fact1 = ye>s cotton m9k sold = #aj to #ej c5ts4 ,dur+ ! pa/ ye>s ! value ( m9k sk9s has v>i$ a great deal4 ,! numb] export$ annually v>ies f a c\ple ( hundr$ ?\s& to a half million sk9s or m4 ,?is gives b a fa9t idea ( ! annual cat*1 = l>ge numb]s are us$ ea* ye> by ,am]ican manufactur]s4 ,!re has be5 a great deal said ab\t m9k climb+ trees1 _m be+ "u ! impression t !y c\ld n or did n unless lean+ trees4 ,?is is a mi/ake h[ev]1 z trapp]s h track$ !m 9 ^! n[ up /raight & good siz$ trees4 ,!y w also occasionally tree :5 close press$ by dogs4 ,m9k c be tam$ if caught :5 "y b are r trea*]\s1 & %\ld nev] be h&l$ b>e h&$4 ,a few attempts h be5 made to raise !m = _! fur1 b s f> no great success has be5 a*iev$4 ,! rais+ ( m9k w no d\bt be und]tak5 f ?is on by _m1 especially if prices rema9 z ( late1 = :5 sk9s sell = sev]al doll>s ea* ! bus9ess looks promis+4 ,no man %\ld engage 9 ! bus9ess unless he kn[s some?+ ( _! habits1 etc4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,m9k ,,trapp]4 ,9 ! /ates bord]+ on ,canada m9k become prime usually by ,novemb] #a1 :ile s\? along ! ,gulf ( ,mexico !y d n prime up until ab\t ,decemb] #a & beg9 to %$ by ,febru>y1 s t ! extreme ,s\!rn trapp] has only ab\t two mon?s :5 ! sk9s are at _! be/4 ,9 ! c5tral sections su* z ,p5nsylvania1 ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,ill9ois1 ,miss\ri1 etc41 ! sk9s are prime by ,novemb] #ae b beg9 to get pale 9 ,febru>y if ! w9t] is op54 ,:ile "s fur be>+ animals d5 up dur+ sev]e wea!r m9k d n1 & ! trapp]1 ev5 9 ! ,f> ,nor?1 w f9d m9k on ! g e night4 ,z m5tion$ else:]e1 ! great] p] c5t4 ( ! me?ods publi%$ 9 ?is book are tak5 f ! ,hunt]-,trad]-,trapp]1 an illu/rat$ mon?ly magaz9e1 ( ,columbus1 ,ohio1 devot$ to hunt+1 trapp+ & raw furs4 ,new trapp+ me?ods are con/antly be+ publi%$ 9 t magaz9e1 z exp]i5c$ trapp]s f all p>ts ( ,nor? ,am]ica read & write = x4 ,,*apt] ,,ii4 ,,m9k ,,& ,,_! ,,habits4 ,! favorite haunts are along m>%y %ores ( lakes1 riv]s1 creeks & o!r swampy places1 & :]e muskrats are pl5ty !re y are almo/ sure to f9d m9k4 ,:5 hunt+ = m9k ! be/ place to f9d !m is 9 old muskrat holes ne> ! po9t or end ( an isl&1 & ! next be/ place is "u bridges :]e ! approa*es h be5 fill$ 9 ) /ones or logs2 !re are o!r places n s good1 su* z /one piles1 heaps ( f5ce rails1 holl[ logs1 "u l>ge /umps1 & h ev5 f\nd !m "u sn[ banks :]e ,i knew !re 7 no holes at all4 ,! pr9cipal food ( ! m9k is fi%1 birds & _! eggs1 frogs1 mice & small snails1 & h _h !m p>tly eat muskrat :ile 9 my traps4 ,i d n "k :e!r he c kill a muskrat or n1 nev] hav+ se5 him d x4 ,no d\bt !re are _m o!r ?+s ^u :i* he fe$s ( :i* ,i d n "k1 b ^! are ! pr9cipal ones4 ,! m9k is an animal ( peculi> habits1 sometimes rema9+ ne> 8 burr[ = weeks at a "t1 & !n sudd5ly disappe>+ & n return+ = z mu* z sev5 or eight days1 & all ?is "t he is rov+ ar\nd 9 se>* ( food1 runn+ all night & lodg+ 9 ! be/ hole he c f9d :5 daybreak comes1 & c (t5 be se5 9 e>ly morn+ or 9 ev5+ at dusk4 ,illu/ration3 ,,look+ ,,= ,,food4 ,! m9k is n s h>d to trap if y "k 8 habits2 :5 y f9d he has left 8 burr[ d n take up y\r trap1 = he w surely be back 9 a few days2 :5 y come to a place :]e a m9k has laid up = ! day 7t is1 9 a tempor>y burr[71 d n trap on ! r\te he has already travel$1 = :5 he comes out he w g /raight on j z if he _h j look$ 9 & come out1 b set traps & bait2 :5 he comes out he w be hungry & is sure to be y\r m9k4 ,illu/ration3 ,,good ,,signs4 ,9 go+ f place to place m9k (t5 travel ov] ! same r\te1 z betwe5 two swamps or ponds1 & at times !re is a well def9$ runway ?r\gh ! grass2 ?is habit c be /udi$ 9 w9t] :5 sn[ is deep1 & also :5 swimm+ f ! ma9l& to an isl& or f "o isl& to ano!r2 !y w ne>ly always l& 9 ! same place4 ,ano!r ?+1 :5 f9d+ a burr[ look ar\nd1 & if y f9d 8 dung heap y may be sure he lives 9 t hole2 m9ks' dung c be told by mice hair & o!r rema9s1 & if he is fe$+ on fi% altoge!r looks ! color ( silv] or ! scales ( fi%4 ,i h _h a _w ( exp]i5ce trapp+ b v limit$ at cat*+1 says an ,arkansas trapp]1 yet pl5ty ( bo? to be fully capable ( solv+ ! "q z to :e!r or n m9k are afraid ( ! sc5t ( iron4 ,x is simply ?is4 ,"s m9k are positively afraid ( x & "s are positively n s4 ,! exp]i5ce ) "o m9k t walks into ! prop]ly conceal$ trap & ! o!r old fell[ :o makes ! %ort b inv>iable curve ar\nd ! same prop]ly conceal$ trap is positive pro( ( ?is1 & few if any exp]i5c$ trapp]s h n _h ?is exp]i5ce4 ,ei!r use a sc5t ! m9k likes or boil y\r traps 9 a%es4 ,clean1 wipe & keep dry1 & y h a bett] *ance on l& at bo? k9ds ( m9k4 ,my favorite wat] set = m9k is z foll[s3 ,roll a good siz$ log 7! long] & l>g] ! bett]7 to )9 six in*es ( ! wat]'s edge ( a /ream1 pond1 or lake1 leav+ a /rip ( l& ab\t six in*es deep1 all[+ wat] to come 9 & t\* log4 ,?r[ mud y remove f> away4 ,don't /ep on or leave f+] or paddle pr9ts on y\r /rip ( l&1 :i* is c]ta9 to become a m9k pa?4 ,z soon z tracks indicate ?is1 f l& side /ep on top ( log & place trap 9 ! place y h made & p>allel ) log1 all[+ wat] to cov] well4 ,/aple to log l[ d[n & "u wat] betwe5 trap & log1 or if y desire to use slid+ pole1 place upp] end ( same "u log at ?is same prep>$ place & "u wat]4 ,?is log is bett] ?an ! same set at root ( tree1 rock1 or /ump1 = ! reason ( its conv5i5ce to /& or kneel on & avoid leav+ sign :ile mak+ set1 & because :5 m9k rea*es middle ( 8 n>r[ pa? he does n l to back out1 take deep wat]1 or climb ov] ! log4 ,%\ld he h any suspicions1 %\ld he jump cle> ( y\r little wat] neck1 make wid] & place two traps or use ! same wid? trap 9 s(t mud at ei!r edge1 & :5 he jumps he w l& deep 9 y\r trap4 ,i caught ! l>ge/ m9k ,i ev] saw ) ! trap 9 mud at edge ?is way & he pull$ ! /aple & took ! trap1 b ,i f\nd him ! same day & ! trap1 a ,ne:\se ,no4 #a1 _h him by ! h9d leg above ! hock4 ,! old fell[ _h be5 jump+ my little neck ( wat]1 s ,i fix$ ! trap to 8 conv5i5ce & he lit 9 x h>d4 ,,*apt] ,,iii4 ,,size ,,& ,,c>e ,,( ,,sk9s4 ,m9k hides h&l$ "r br+ f a f\r? to a half m 9 m>ket ?an ! same hides h&l$ indiff]5tly1 says an old ,i[a trapp] & buy]4 ,n[ ,i w /ate x m pla9ly4 ,take a m$ium siz$ m9k1 a male "o if h&l$ "r w be1 :5 /ret*$ prop]ly1 f #bj to #bb in*es long1 & f #c #a_/b to #d in*es wide at ! tail1 tap]+ gradually to ! nose4 ,take ! same hide1 /ret* x ov] a %+le tap]$ to a po9t be+ #f or #h in*es wide at base & a foot long1 y w get j half z mu* = x z ! fir/ "o4 ,i h b\ght small m9k hides ab\t #h in*es long & #f in*es wide at ! base--j z y w\ld /ret* a muskrat4 ,take ! same hide1 /ret* x #ae or #ah in*es long1 & y h add$ #be p] c5t4 to ! value ( ! hide4 ,i %ipp$ two l>ge m9k hide a %ort :ile ago4 ,!y 7 ne> ( a size & color z c\ld be4 ,"o 0 ab\t #ab in*es long1 ! o!r ab\t #bb in*es & well h&l$ o!rwise4 ,"o br\ght #ajj p] c5t4 m ?an ! o!r4 ,illu/ration3 ,,nicely ,,h&l$ ,,wiscons9 ,,sk9s4 ,i take common la?s heavy z ,i c get1 saw !m 9 two 9 ! c5t]1 plane !m smoo?1 tap] ! ends ( ! two r\nd ! edges1 make a tap]+ c5t] piece1 /ret* ! hide ov] ! two outside pieces4 ,draw ! hide d[n z f> z y possibly c4 ,see t ! nose does n slip (f ! end ( ! bo>ds4 ,n[ tack ! hide on ea* side ( ! tail1 putt+ 9 #d tacks1 all[+ room = y\r c5t] piece4 ,n[ y are ready = y\r c5t] piece4 ,ins]t x at ! bottom1 press x ?r\gh gradually1 b be c>eful n to te> ! hide f ! tacks t y h already driv5 94 ,! c5t] piece w n always g ?r\gh ! full l5g?4 ,! size ( ! m9k regulates t "p ( x4 ,"o mu/ h diff]5t sizes ( bo>ds or la?s4 ,n[ turn y\r hide ov]1 pull d[n ! legs ( ! m9k z tight z y c & tack1 us+ sev]al tacks4 ,i use l>ge tacks ,no4 #ab ?ree-qu>t]s ( an in* long1 be+ %>p z ne$les4 ,mo/ trapp]s use ! "o piece /ret*+ bo>d1 z !y claim ! ?ree piece too mu* tr\ble4 ,if ! "o piece is c>efully made1 plan$ on bo? sides1 & ab\t ?ree-eigh?s in* ?ick1 x is a good bo>d4 ,a "o f\r? bo>d aft] be+ plan$ on bo? sides is v good4 ,9 ?is c\ntry !re are two v>ieties1 :i* "s naturali/s h suppos$ 7 di/9ct species2 "o small1 d>k-color$1 common 9 ! ,nor!rn & ,ea/]n ,/ates & ,canada2 ! o!r l>g]1 ) light]-color$1 co>s] & less valuable fur1 common 9 ! ,we/]n & ,s\!rn ,/ates4 ,! d>k-color$ v>iety measures f elev5 to eighte5 in*es 9 l5g? f ! nose to ! root ( ! tail1 & has a tail f six to t5 in*es 9 l5g?4 ,illu/ration3 ,,"s ,,prime ,n4 ,e4 ,,sk9s4 ,! light]-color$ is l>ge & is f\nd 9 ! /ates ( ,i[a1 ,m9nesota1 ,dakota1 ,manitoba & adjo9+ ,canadian prov9ces4 ,x has be5 kn[n to rea* a weight ( five p\nds4 ,trapp]s claim !y h (t5 secur$ pelts1 )\t ov]-/ret*+1 t 7 #be in*es long1 #d #c_/h in*es at root ( tail & #c #a_/h in*es at neck4 ,?is measurem5t be+ f root ( tail to end ( nose4 ,f tip ( tail to end ( nose #ce in*es4 ,a few in/ances ( ev5 l>g] sk9s are fairly accurately e/abli%$4 ,9 ! ,nor!a/ ! sk9s are mu* small] = in/ead ( an occasional five p\nd m9k "o t weighs ?ree is consid]$ l>ge4 ,ow+ to ! f9e fur & d>k] color x is wor? z mu* if n m ?an sk9s l>g]1 b caught 9 a m op5 section1 su* z ! ,dakotas1 ,i[a1 etc4 ,9 ! /ates ( ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,ill9ois1 ,miss\ri1 etc41 m9k are n s l>ge z ,nor?we/]n b l>g] ?an ,ea/]n1 yet are n wor? z mu* money ow+ to _! color n be+ s good4 ,9 ! /ates bord]+ on ! ,ohio ,riv] z well z ,miss\ri1 ,kansas1 ,nebraska1 etc41 !re are "s cotton m9k4 ,9 size !y may be z l>ge z any 9 ! section1 b ! "u fur is light1 9 fact (t5 :ite4 ,?is greatly less5s _! value1 s t a cotton m9k is (t5 class$ z a ,no4 #c or ,no4 #d4 ,:5 x is tak5 into consid]ation ! v>i\s %ades ( m9k1 d>k1 br[n1 pale & cotton1 & sizes f ! diff]5t sections1 to :i* are add$ ,nos4 #b1 #c & #d1 x c be se5 t to "k all ab\t ! value ( m9k "o mu/ be 9 t\* ) all p>ts ( ! c\ntry4 ,illu/ration3 ,,l>ge ,,i[a ,,m9k4 ,_m h ask$ = a /&>d size by :i* to grade m9k--l>ge1 m$ium & small4 ,! /&>d to be bas$ on prime sk9s ( c\rse4 ,at fir/ su* a plan looks reasonable1 b aft] look+ at ! sugge/ion f all sides x does n appe> s4 ,9 ! fir/ place prime1 l>ge m9k v>y 9 weight f #c to #e p\nds1 dep5d+ 9 :at section caught4 ,! five p\nd sk91 usually f an op5 c\ntry1 is pale & n s f9ely furr$ z a #c p\nd "o f ! ,nor!rn ,new ,engl& ,/ates or ,ea/]n ,canada4 ,aga91 7 m9k grad$ by a /&>d size1 !y w\ld be ov]-/ret*$4 ,a deal] :o we believe tries to treat all fairly submits ! foll[+ measurem5ts = ! ?ree sizes--l>ge1 m$ium & small3 ,l>ge1 #bb in*es long1 #d wide at tail1 #c #a_/b at neck4 ,m$ium1 #ah in*es long1 #c #a_/d wide at tail1 #b #e_/h at neck4 ,small1 #ad in*es long1 #b #c_/d wide at tail1 #b #a_/d at neck4 ,! figures are f root ( tail 7tail n measur$7 to end ( nose4 ,! measurem5ts z giv5 are int5d$ to be g5]al1 includ+ sk9s f ,s\!rn1 ,c5tral1 ,we/]n & ,nor?we/]n sections1 ) ! exceptions already not$1 b at ! same "t x mu/ be kept 9 m9d t all sk9s ! same size are n wor? ! same4 ,x is a good idea to /ret* ! pelts z soon aft] remov$ f ! animal z possible4 ,if all[$ to lay ar\nd = h\rs ! pelt w be h>d to /ret* to its normal size4 ,if y f9d a m9k dr[n$ & ?or\ghly wat] soak$1 take x by ! head1 j l y 7 crack+ a :ip1 !n by ! h9d legs & crack x ! same way4 ,! m9k w soon be dry4 ,if muddy x %\ld be wa%$ fir/4 ,pelts %\ld n be put on ! bo>ds :5 ! fur is wet4 ,!y %\ld also be remov$ z soon z ?or\ghly dry1 t is1 aft] ! sk9 w n %r9k4 ,!y %\ld be left on bo>ds f ?ree days to a week1 dep5d+ on ! wea!r4 ,d n turn aft] remov+ f bo>ds1 b h fle% side out4 ,,*apt] ,,iv4 ,,good ,,& ,,la/+ ,,baits4 ,animals are n afraid ( smok$ baits1 & 9 ! e>ly & late p>ts ( ! trapp+ season x is a positive b5efit to slightly smoke ! bait2 x la/s s mu* long] ?an fre% meat & hangs on to ! bait /ick until almo/ ! la/ %r$1 & if an animal turns f ! trap h\se )\t bit+ x1 x is because he is n hungry4 ,! baits ,i h f\nd ! mo/ endur+ & mo/ likely to tempt an animal are--fir/ & always ! muskrat4 ,all animals1 t is be>1 m9k1 fox & m>t5 w bite at ?is bait :5 !y w n consid] any o!r4 ,= a be> trap1 use "o :ole rat1 take out ! inside 7because ! inside w cause x to decay quick]71 h ! rat slightly smok$1 j en\gh to /iff5 ! meat1 !n h a %>p po9t$ /ick1 ab\t ?ree feet long1 run ! /ick ?r\gh ! two ?ighs1 up along ! back bone1 ?r\gh ! neck /opp+ at ! skull4 ,plant ?is 9 ! back ( y\r be> trap h\se & y h "o ( ! be/ inducem5ts = a be> to cat*4 ,= m9k or m>t5 traps a smok$ rat makes five good siz$ baits1 neck & head "o2 ea* qu>t] "o4 ,d n ?r[ away ! tail4 ,x /&s 9 ! same relation%ip z a tidbit to an animal z a beav]'s tail does to a trapp]4 ,!re=e at ! trap :]e y want an extra inducem5t1 twi/ ! tail ab\t ! re/ ( ! bait & tie x to keep 9 place4 ,dur+ ! v cold mon?s p>tridge & rabbit meat keeps good a long :ile 9 ! h>d froz5 /ate1 b z an all r\nd la/+ bait = mild or cold wea!r1 good = ei!r m9k or m>t51 ,i h us$ ) great success bo? ! w9dpipe & tail ( ! ox4 ,! tail has1 ( c\rse1 to be sk9n$ :ile fre%1 & ,i cut (f a r+ or two ( ei!r ! w9dpipe or tail & run a %>p /ick ?r\gh ea* piece1 & c>ry !m 9 my bait bag ) ! /icks 94 ,:5 ,i want "o = a trap ,i pull out ! /ick & ! hole is !re ready to place on ! prop] bait /ick4 ,a tail w make t5 g5]\s baits1 likewise ! w9dpipe4 ,all fi% bait is good = m9k1 b ! majority decompose s quickly t unless h>d smok$ x drops (f ! bait /ick 9 a few h\rs & is eat5 by ! mice on ! gr\nd1 or v soon disappe>s by ! action ( ! e>? & evaporation4 ,z a la/+ fi% bait 7unsmok$7 ,i h f\nd ! suck] or c>p ! v be/2 !y are a fle%y fi% ) no inside to speak (1 & a v t\gh sk94 ,"o ( ab\t twelve or f\rte5 in*es long w give suffici5t bait = t5 traps4 ,illu/ration3 ,,caught ,,9 ,,midw9t]4 ,9 sett+ m9k traps along ! %ore ( lake or riv] ,i take ! fi% :ole 9 ! canoe1 & z ,i set a trap cut (f a section ) my belt axe1 beg9n+ ) ! tail4 ,ea* bait w be an in* or an in* & a qu>t] broad l5g?ways ( ! fi%4 ,y make y\r bait /ick v %>p & run x ?r\gh crossways ( ! section1 pi]c+ ! sk9 on bo? sides4 ,long aft] ! fle% "p ( ! fi% has rott$ & fall5 away1 ! sk9 r+ w be yet 9 evid5ce %rivel$ up dry on ! /ick1 b yet useful z bait4 ,9 us+ p>tridge or rabbits = bait1 x is v mu* t[>ds _! la/+ p[]s to n remove ! sk9 or fea!rs4 ,cut ! section y want ) a v %>p axe1 run y\r bait /ick ?r\gh ! portion ( meat & pla/] d[n close on top all ! fea!rs1 hair or sk9 & tie securely if 9 mild wea!r4 ,if 9 cold wea!r1 all t is necess>y is to place ea* bait /ick1 prim$1 out ( doors ov] night1 & ! next day y c c>ry !m 9 y\r bait bag l s _m knots4 ,9 conclusion w say t a few drops ( oil ( anise is ! be/ allur+ sc5t ,i h f\nd = m9k4 ,a f9al ^w ( advice4 ,unless y\r traps 9 wat]-set always h a toss+ pole1 o!rwise :5 y visit y\r l9e y may h ! *agr9 to f9d only ! paw in/ead ( ! animal4 ,z ! m9i/] says1 "o m ^w4 ,if x is y\r int5tion to return on y\r tracks :5 visit+ y\r trap road1 be sure & clean out1 bait & reset ea* trap z y g4 ,9 mild wea!r or t[>ds spr+1 animals run z well 9 daytime z at night1 & ,i h (t51 by obs]v+ ?is rule1 f\nd on my return at diff]5t times almo/ all k9ds ( animals caught :ile ,i 0 at ! o!r end ( ! road4 ,,*apt] ,v4 ,,bait ,,& ,,sc5t4 ,! m9k is v h>d to cat*1 z all or mo/ all exp]i5c$ trapp]s tell u1 s !re=e we mu/ believe !m1 says an exp]i5c$ ,canadian trapp]4 ,"s say t m9k are afraid ( human sc5t4 ,9 "o s5se !y are b 9 ano!r !y are n1 z ,i w prove to y 9 ! foll[+ p>agraph3 ,:ile ,i 0 trapp+ on ,tw5ty ,mile ,creek 9 ,ont>io ,i _h an occasion to g my r\nds v e>ly "o morn+4 ,i _h n gone f> be=e ,i ran onto a l>ge m9k track1 & z ! sn[ 0 only "h & !re 9 small pat*es ,i did n foll[ x4 ,i return$ ! same way to get a skunk ,i _h hidd51 & on rea*+ ?is p>ticul> spot ,i saw z be=e1 my tracks go+ "o way & ,mr4 ,m9k's ano!r4 ,i nev] ?\ght any m ab\t x until ,i came to ! next pat* ( sn[1 & !re 7 8 newly made tracks beside my own1 & "s 7 disc]n$ 9 ! same pr9ts z ,i _h made1 s t mu/ prove t he wasn't afraid ( human sc5t !re4 ,if t m9k _h be5 afraid ( human sc5t he mo/ c]ta9ly w\ld h avoid$ my tracks1 b z x 0 he saw me com+ & hid some:]e until ,i 0 pa/4 ,illu/ration3 ,,nor?we/]n ,,sk9s4 ,i d n say t a p]son c drop a trap d[n any:]e1 set any old way1 & cat* m9k2 b ,i d say t x all dep5ds :]e ! human sc5t is4 ,if a man sets a trap & h&les x ) 8 h&s or any o!r fooli% ?+1 he w cat* b v few m9k4 ,my way ( sett+ a trap = a m9k is ?is3 ,f9d a d5 or holl[ log 9 ! vic9ity :]e m9k tracks are se54 ,aft] y h f\nd ! place :]e y int5d sett+ y\r trap1 set x 9 ! foll[+ way3 ,cut a hole 9 ! gr\nd at ! entrance %ap$ l a /raight /emm$ pipe1 only make x l>ge en\gh = ! trap to set 9 nicely4 ,aft] t1 set ! trap1 twi/+ ! spr+ ar\nd to ! same side ( ! trap z already excavat$1 & tak+ ! dirt y h ! pan1 plac+ ! trap 9 ! place y h tak5 out1 cov] ! trap ) x1 be+ c>eful n to let any lump or pebble lay at ! base ( ! jaws1 z x prev5ts !m f clos+ tightly1 & y\r m9k may get away4 ,= bait1 take ! tail1 front & h9d legs ( a muskrat1 also a small piece ( fle%1 or bett] yet ! entrails1 & place !m 9 ! hole1 be+ c>eful n to set x too close1 b close en\gh s t ! m9k w h to /ep on ! pan ( ! trap4 ,x is bett] to h x too f> back ?an too close1 z y !n run a bett] *ance ( gett+ y\r m9k4 ,also h "s musk or "s reliable sc5t1 & put a few drops on a /ick a %ort di/ance f ! trap4 ,aft] all ( ?is be v c>eful 9 bru%+ out all signs1 & make ev]y?+ look z natural z possible1 dep>t1 & ,i "k f exp]i5ce t y c cat* a m9k1 provid+ y foll[ ! directions above4 ,9 ord] to trap v %y animals use no bait ( any k9d1 b set y\r traps :]e !y are sure to g & y c capture ! %ye/ m9k1 says a ,ma9e trapp]4 ,! places :]e m9k are sure to g are into holes1 d5s1 holl[ /umps & logs1 & to make a success y want a trap set at all ! places4 ,if !re isn't any1 make "s any "t 9 ! summ] = ! com+ season4 ,! "r size & be/ k9d ( trap = m9k is ! ,blake ,lamb ,no4 #a4 ,h !m free f ru/ & =eign odors1 z m9k h ke5 smell+ organs2 boil !m 9 a%es & wat]1 also boil !m aga9 9 a kettle fill$ ) fir or c$> twigs1 & aft] !y are dri$ & :5 hot rub !m all ov] ) beeswax1 & :5 set cov] c>efully & fa/5 to some?+ movable4 ,9 ! fall ( ! ye> use no sc5t1 b 9 ! spr+ :5 !y are runn+ ar\nd use _! own musk1 mix$ ) fi% oil & salt to pres]ve x4 ,?is is my way to trap m9k )\t bait1 & ,i h captur$ l>ge numb]s ( !m4 ,i claim t animals are _! own be/ sc5t4 ,if exp]i5ce is wor? any?+ ,i am sure ( x4 ,ab\t ! fir/ trapp+ ,i ev] did 7#ahgg7 ,i ran out ( m9k bait & came across a rivulet runn+ into ! ma9 creek & m9k track 9 pl5ty4 ,well1 :at 0 ,i to d8 ,i mu/ set a trap4 ,i took a piece ( ! h9d qu>t] ( a m9k4 ,be+ a gre5 h& at ! bus9ess ,i did n "k :e!r x w\ld "w or n4 ,b ! next "t ,i visit$ my trap ,i f\nd out ! plan 0 a success1 = ,i _h ,mr4 ,m9k safe & s\nd4 ,ev] s9ce ,i h _h occasion to use ! same = bait4 ,ano!r illu/ration ,i w give :i* proves beyond "q t ?is !ory is a correct "o3 ,9 #ahgh ,i set a trap 9 a hole 9 ! bank1 ! wat] n freez+ all w9t]1 b ran a /ream ov] ! trap1 out ( ! hole4 ,i us$ no bait4 ,b ,i believe ,i caught e m9k com+ t way4 ,e m9k caught ( c\rse w\ld fre%5 up ! place ) 8 musk4 ,! result 0 #ae m9k4 ,i believe o!r animals are ! same2 b skunk & civet are n s p>ticul> :at !y eat2 any?+ half decompos$ or rott5 w answ]4 ,! civet is v tr\blesome :5 !y f9d y\r m9k trap4 ,9 sett+ 9 wat] 7he w n g 9 wat] if he c help x7 he w make a hole at "o side & get y\r bait 9 spite ( y4 ,at o!r times he w crawl ov] all y\r /ag+s & rea* 91 l a monkey1 app>5tly z limb] z ,indian rubb]1 & get y\r bait4 ,9 dry l& sets !y walk "r into y\r trap & y c get rid ( !m4 ,illu/ration3 ,,trapp]s ,,%ack4 ,a few words ab\t sc5t4 ,i nev] did believe 9 mix+ a lot ( /uff toge!r z "s say1 says a ,canadian trapp]4 ,n[ if a m9k is attract$ by ! odor ( fi% oil or ! sc5t ( muskrat musk or ( blood or ! sc5t ( ! female m9k1 t does n say t we %\ld mix !m all toge!r & expect x to cat* e m9k t comes along4 ,w\ld y expect ! m9k to di/+ui% ! smell ( ea* ( ^! sub/ances :5 !y are all mix$ toge!r8 ,if we l *ick51 sweet potatoes1 *ocolate cake & m9ce pie1 w\ld x make x bett] to mix all ^! ?+s toge!r8 ,i don't ?9k we w\ld l x4 ,z = ! fox1 ! v be/ sc5t or decoy is ! matrix ( ! female fox1 z has be5 describ$ s (t51 b x is h>d to get4 ,next to ?is ,i ?9k comes skunk ess5ce & x %\ld be spr9kl$ ar\nd q freely1 z ! fox is n afraid ( x1 l "s trapp]s are1 & x also helps to kill ! smell ( ! iron ( ! trap4 ,n[ don't ?9k by ?is t y %\ld rub x on ! trap4 ,j spr9kle x ar\nd ! trap4 ,b none ( ^! sc5ts w attract an animal z f> z "s seem to ?9k1 & ,i f9d t "o ( ! mo/ important ?+s is to f9d :]e animals use & set y\r traps ne> ^! places4 ,( c\rse y mu/ /udy ! nature & habits ( y\r game or y w n "k h[ to set ! trap aft] y f9d ! place4 ,!n set y\r traps c>efully1 "w h>d1 keep y\r eyes op51 use reason & good s5se1 take c>e ( y\r furs & y w be successful4 ,= m9k ,i use a ,no4 #a or ,no4 #a #a_/b trap4 ,! latt] is pref]able4 ,= sc5t t obta9$ f ! sc5t bags ( ! m9k or weasel1 mix$ ) anise oil1 is ! be/ decoy ,i ev] us$1 says a ,m9nesota trapp]4 ,?is sc5t is f\nd ne> ! root ( ! tail 9 two r\nd bags ab\t ! size ( a pea1 & is a yell[ liquid smell+ v /rong4 ,aft] sett+ ! trap ,i scatt] fea!rs ar\nd & ov] x4 ,! m9k1 see+ ! fea!rs & sc5t+ :at he supposes to be a weasel1 w dig up ! :ole works look+ = some?+ a weasel has ov]look$1 & he is mighty lucky if he don't get 9 ! trap4 ,cann$ s>d9es make good m9k bait1 & ! s>d9e oil is good to mix ) ! sc5t 9 ! sc5t bottle4 ,skunk sc5t & fea!rs attract & allay suspicions ( all bird eat+ animals4 ,,*apt] ,,vi4 ,,places ,,to ,,set4 ,!re is "o place on my l9e ( traps :]e ,i h caught six m9k1 says an ,i[a trapp]4 ,i h no d\bt b :at ?is p>ticul> place is on _! regul> cross+ place 9 go+ f "o /ream to ano!r4 ,i h a few good places b !y d n equal ?is "o4 ,at ^! p>ticul> places ,i d n remove my traps dur+ ! entire trapp+ season4 ,i f9d a man gets fool$ q easy at times by putt+ 9 traps at places t look extra good1 :51 9 fact1 x proves to be no good at all = m9k4 ,i (t5 read ( trapp]s :o say to set traps at holl[ trees1 9 holl[ logs1 & e place :]e a m9k is liable to g4 ,well1 a m9k is liable to g any place4 ,also j z liable n to g1 too4 ,n[ if y %\ld place a trap 9 all ^! places y w\ld h traps /rung all ov] creation4 ,9 my locality aft] a m9k leaves a dit* or /ream y _c tell :at direction he w g4 ,p]haps he w />t across "s f>m]'s field d[n betwe5 two r[s ( corn4 ,n[ ,i expect "s ( ^! nights ,mr4 ,m9k is go+ to take a run d[n ?r\gh ,f>m] ,jones' cornfield4 ,he is liable to4 ,%all ,i place a trap betwe5 e r[ ( corn8 ,9 my locality ) sn[ on ! gr\nd !y travel ?r\gh fields m ?an any o!r place4 ,i w tell y boys1 ,i h ?ree pet sets t ,i use1 & :i* ,i /ay j z close to ! /reams ) z ,i possibly c1 = ! condition ( ! wea!r is su* at mo/ times t x w\ld n pay to *ange ! location ( traps4 ,"s trapp]s w tell y t if a m9k w ?r[ 8 sc5t :]e he is caught y w get ano!r "o soon at ! same place4 ,well ,i d n believe x1 except f ! female at mat+ "t4 ,i ?9k :5 an animal ?r[s a sc5t x is a dang] signal4 ,_m trapp]s h told me t a w>m night 0 ! night to cat* m9k1 because t 0 ! "t !y ran mo/4 ,t don't g ) me ei!r4 ,x is j because m9k c smell bait bett] on a w>m night1 z ! old trapp]s ar\nd "h h>dly ev] set )\t bait1 & ?9k x is a wond] t ,i c cat* m9k )\t bait4 ,9 fact1 m9k run well on cold & disagreeable nights1 j z well z on w>m nights4 ,i make x a po9t to h my traps 9 ! v be/ condition previ\s to a *ange 9 ! wea!r1 no matt] :at ! *ange may br+1 !re w be lots ( m9k on ! move dur+ ! *ange4 ,n[ boys ,i am n go+ to advise y to make any p>ticul> set1 b if y h two or ?ree good ways1 /ay ) !m4 ,!y w br+ good results4 ,a man c sp5d lots ( "t try+ to d some?+ ) "s fake set & p]haps neglect "s bett] sets dur+ ?is "t4 ,a few good sets1 well h&l$1 w surely br+ good results4 ,if ,i am to judge results f ! conditions 9 my locality1 ,i w say t fifty traps are too _m4 ,tw5ty-five gives a man pl5ty ( "w "h4 ,dur+ sn[y wea!r y c set y\r traps ) nor!a/ ea/1 or s\!a/ protection & x is all "r1 until ! w9d gets to ! nor?we/1 !n look out1 = y w h "s digg+ to yet y\r traps 9 good condition4 ,by t "t ! w9d is 9 ! s\?4 ,!n x beg9s to ?aw1 !n ! wat] soaks ?r\gh on y\r traps1 !n by ! "t y get ar\nd aga9 !y are froz5 up solid4 ,!n h[ a fell[ wi%es = m wea!r ) a sam5ess ab\t x4 ,an ,ea/]n trapp] says3 ,my favorite set = m9k is ! wat] set4 ,i f9d a place :]e ! wat] don't freeze up1 & if !re are any /ones ar\nd ,i lay a /one on ea* side ( ! /ream1 & !n ,i get a flat /one & lay x ov] ! two /ones4 ,i place ^! alongside ! /ream1 mak+ a hole l :5 ! wat] comes out4 ,!n = a bait ,i use fi%1 brook tr\t if ,i c get !m1 or mo/ any k9d ( fre% wat] fi%4 ,i put a piece ( fi% back 9 ?is hole s x lies 9 ! wat] & set traps 9 entrance1 & y are sure to get mo/ e m9k t comes along4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,good ,,m9k ,,/ream4 ,?is set is = ,novemb]1 ,decemb]1 ,janu>y & ,febru>y until ab\t ! la/ "p1 :5 runn+ "t beg9s4 ,!n ,i l ! runways be/1 & y w f9d !m "u driftwood & along banks :]e ! wat] has wa%$ ! bank s ! trees /&+ on ! edge h lean$ ov] & made a holl[ "u ! bank4 ,i h tak5 a good _m m9k ?is way & also ) ! wat] set4 ,i took twelve m9k la/ ye> t ,i kept1 & _h six get away by gnaw+ (f _! feet "u ! jaws ( ! trap4 ,! foll[+ is f an ,indiana trapp]3 ,"h is "o ( ! _m m9k sets ,i h be5 successful )3 ,g along a creek1 f9d a log1 "o t is some:at crook$ w be bett]1 z "s "p ( x w s9k bel[ ! surface ( ! wat]1 roll same into ! creek & t[ along to a place :]e ! wat] is two to ?ree feet deep1 take a /rong wire #f or #g feet long & fa/5 to ! "u side & to "o end ( ! log1 fa/5 ! o!r end ( ! wire to a /\t /ake & drive d[n solid ne> ! middle ( ! creek4 ,n[ f9d a place :]e ! wat] /&s above ! top ( ! log1 & *op out a place = ! trap deep en\gh s ! trap w be #a or #b in*es "u wat]4 ,n[ take "s mud & sme> ov] ! fre% cut place s x w h an old appe>ance4 ,n[ set y\r trap & cov] ) a few wat] soak$ leaves & a few p9*es ( mud4 ,?is set %\ld be made :]e ! wat] does n run too swift4 ,muskrat w bo!r ?is set "s1 z long z !re are any ne>1 b !y are tr\blesome ab\t mo/ any wat] set = m9k4 ,! fur be>]s "h are fox1 m9k1 skunk1 opossum1 raccoon & rats1 & none ( !m pl5tiful1 writes a ,t5nessee trapp]4 ,illu/ration3 ,,:]e ,,signs ,,are ,,pl5ty4 ,i w tell y h[ ,i captur$ a %y old m9k t _h run my l9e ( traps = two ye>s4 ,i _h made up my m9d to cat* him or trap on ! balance ( my days4 ,i set my trap 9 ! spr+ :]e he _h be5 wad+2 ! fir/ night he ?rew ! trap & t seem$ to make him %y ( ! spr+4 ,i took a piece ( muskrat & nail$ x to a root above ! trap1 & ! second morn+ ,i visit$ my trap ,i _h a cr[1 n m9k1 & ! m9k _h kill$ ! cr[ by bit+ him ?r\gh ! back ( ! head4 ,t made me m det]m9$ ?an ev] to get t m9k4 ,i arrang$ my traps all nicely1 & ! ?ird morn+ ,i f\nd a muskrat & he 0 cut up badly by ! m9k4 ,i took ! fre% c>cass ( ! rat & rebait$ aga91 & ! f\r? morn+ to my surprise ,i _h ano!r cr[4 ,x seem$ f ! am\nt ( tracks t !y _h f\ght a duel & ! cr[ _h come out ahead1 = he 0 /ill alive4 ,i fix$ my trap all back aga9 & ! fif? morn+ _h a f9e muskrat4 ,well1 ,i _h ab\t giv5 up all hopes ( cat*+ him at t place s ,i decid$ to move my set #bjj y>ds up /ream1 :]e !re 0 a log project+ out ov] ! wat] #b feet above ! wat]1 :]e he travel$ "u4 ,!re ,i g\g$ a hole back 9 ! bank "o foot back s ! wat] w\ld fl[ back 9 en\gh to cov] ! trap1 & ,i bait$ ) a fre% p>tridge1 & ! next morn+ ,i f\nd my m9k4 ,n[ boys1 ?is does n look z if !y 7 v %y ( human sc5t1 does x8 ,fir/ f9d a d5 :]e !y h be5 go+ "u ! ice or :]e !y h be5 eat+ a dead rabbit or *ick5 say an ,i[a trapp]4 ,next ,i select my traps1 ,ne:\se ,no4 #a or #a #a_/b or ,hawley ,norton #a #a_/b4 ,i exam9e !m to see if !y are 9 good ord]4 ,:5 sett+ at a d5 or :]e !y h be5 eat+ "s dead animal1 cov] ) leaves1 fea!rs or sn[2 fa/5 to a /ick t c be dragg$ a %ort di/ance4 ,i bait ) *ick51 rabbit1 birds & mice4 ,fi% is also good4 ,bru% away y\r tracks & d n approa* too close4 ,if ! traps are undi/urb$1 ,i leave !m = a week4 ,frequ5tly m9k d n come out e night4 ,:5 sett+ :]e !y g "u ! ice1 ,i use a ,no4 #b ,jump ,trap4 ,if ! wat] is n too deep1 lay two /icks 9 ! bottom ( ! /ream ab\t two in*es ap>t4 ,betwe5 ^! ,i lay bait1 g5]ally mice4 ,set trap1 & fa/5 x to a /ick on top ( ! ice4 ,cov] trap ) moss & leaves & y w g5]ally get him1 or1 at lea/1 t is my luck4 ,i w always rememb] my fir/ m9k4 ,i f\nd ! d54 ,!y w5t "u ! ice & ! hole 0 bel[ ! wat]4 ,i set my trap c>efully1 bait$ ) sapsuck] & ! next morn+ ,i _h him4 ,set trap back & caught ano!r "o4 ,,*apt] ,,vii4 ,,indian ,,me?ods4 ,(t5times :ile walk+ ?r\gh ! w9t] wood ,i f9d ! track ( a m9k1 t />ts or ends 9 a brook or pond1 says a ,new ,engl& trapp]4 ,to set a trap 9 ?is case1 if ! sn[ is light1 ,i d z foll[s3 ,fir/1 ,i use a drag ar\nd ! woods :]e ! track is se54 ,to make ?is ,i kill an old h5 or roo/]1 split x op51 & mix equal p>ts ( fi% oil & ! juice t comes ) oy/]s4 ,if ! track is v old1 ,i add an equal "p ( oil ( assafoetida1 & put ! mixture inside ! h51 leav+ ! entrails 9 & sew x up loosely4 ,!n ,i tie x to a rope1 & />t+ at ! po9t :]e ! track leaves ! wat]1 drag x ?r\gh ! woods1 n v f>1 end+ 9 ! brook aga94 ,at sev]al places along ! l9e ,i secrete traps1 exactly 9 ! pa? made by ! drag4 ,a m9k1 /rik+ ! sc5t w foll[ x1 &1 !re be+ no bait to sc>e him or ar\se 8 suspicions1 w run along ! track until he gets into "o ( ! traps4 ,?is is a good set to use 9 woods :]e a bait w\ld mean hav+ y\r traps lift$ by ,john ,sneakum4 ,i don't "k h[ x w "w ) o!rs1 b ,i h _h f9e success ) x1 especially 9 ! cases ( old bait-%y m9k4 ,"h is ano!r set %[n me by an old half-bre$ ,indian4 ,we 7 9 a light canoe1 & 7 paddl+ up a little re$-fr+$ brook1 f t5 to ?irty feet wide4 ,9 ! we$s 7 sev]al muskrat h\ses4 ,z x 0 spr+1 !y 7 all f9i%$ & ! rats 7 no long] work+ on !m4 ,! old man set two traps on ! h\se1 & b>ely "u wat]4 ,!n he put a few drops ( ! sc5t t is f\nd 9 a sack j "u ! root ( ! m9k's tail1 on a leaf on ! v top ( ! muskrat h\se2 & !n plac$ a small piece ( muskrat ) ! fur on1 beside ! sc5t1 fa/5+ x ) a skew]4 ,he said1 m9k1 come 'long & smell 'no!r m9k an' muskrat on top h\se4 ,he clim' up1 get caught1 an' all dr[n good4 ,b1 said ,i1 muskrats w climb up too1 'cause y've got muskrat meat = bait4 ,oh-h-h no6 he *uckl$4 ,muskrat he heap 'fraid ( m9k4 ,we h m9k to-morr]-wonca1 numpaw1 ya:a1 yawm9ee m9k 7#a1 #b1 #c1 #d m9k74 ,y see8 ,!n y no call ol' ,9'jun big fool4 ,sure en\gh next morn+ he _h %agipee 7#f7 m9k to %[ = z _m sets4 ,! pr9ciple 0 t ! muskrat w\ldn't climb up1 = he w\ld see ! fur & smell ! m9k sc5t1 & ?9k x 0 a m9k4 ,illu/ration3 ,,indian ,,trapp]4 ,m9k (t5 foll[ muskrat trails1 especially 9 ! fall be=e ! sn[ comes4 ,to set a trap 9 ! trail w\ld mean to cat* a rat1 & make a meal = a m9k2 s ,i po/ a roo/]'s head ab\t two feet f ! trail & set a ,no4 #a #a_/b trap "u x4 ,! rat isn't likely to leave ! trail = ! head1 b ! m9k w1 unless he is hot aft] a muskrat4 ,:5 brooks unite & =m a ,y !re is (t5 a little s& pit left 9 ! crot* ( ! ,y4 ,i hang a piece ( muskrat meat ) m9k sc5t on x ^u a small /ick lean+ out ov] my trap1 :i* is set 9 two or ?ree in*es ( wat]1 & /ak$ out s z to dr[n ! m9k4 ,an ,indian subscrib] ( ! ,hunt]-,trad]-,trapp] & :o writes ( 8 exp]i5ces occasionally to t int]e/+ magaz9e1 9 "o season caught ) dog & trapp$ 9 ,nor?we/]n ,p5nsylvania #ajd m9k4 ,! "n ( ?is ,indian is ,john ,"l1 & he has trapp$ z f> we/ z ,cali=nia4 ,! illu/ration %[s him to be a "y man4 ,! picture %[n "h 0 tak5 9 #aije :5 he 0 hunt+ & trapp+ 9 ,p5nsylvania4 ,! #ajd m9k 7 caught dur+ ! season ( #aije-f1 & z ! pelts 7 high !n x c be se5 t he makes consid]able money4 ,! fact t he caught t numb] is pretty well e/abli%$ by sev]al well kn[n p>ties4 ,john is an ,iroquois & a good fell[ & trapp]4 ,,*apt] ,,viii4 ,,m9k ,,trapp+ ,,on ,,! ,,prairie4 ,z !re has n be5 mu* writt5 on m9k trapp+ on ! prairie1 ,i w give a few h9ts = ! b5efit ( "y prairie trapp]s1 on trapp+ m9k1 says a ,m9nesota trapp]4 ,9 ! fir/ place ! /eel trap is ab\t ! only trap t c be us$2 !re be+ no timb] ov] l>ge portions ( ! ,nor?we/ & ,canada4 ,i wait till ice is froz5 ov] ! runways & ponds1 !n ,i g at x mak+ a circuit ( ! runways4 ,i f9d :]e ! m9k g out f ! %ore to "s muskrat's home1 :i* w h a pole 9 x above wat]4 ,i set two traps !re1 !n look ar\nd4 ,close by ,i w f9d a small dump ( tra% made by muskrats1 :]e ! m9k g to dung4 ,i set two or ?ree traps s :5 set & cov]$ ) f9e bru% !y w be ev5 ) ! surface & look+ natural4 ,i w !n g on %ore :i* is g5]ally flat1 foll[+ ! m9k signs ,i w f9d :]e !y h dug into an old muskrat run4 ,i put two or ?ree traps ar\nd "h close toge!r s :5 caught ! m9k soon gets 9 two traps1 !n he is !re to /ay4 ,i use no bait :5 sett+ at a place l ?is2 ! fir/ m9k caught smells ! place up s !re is no ne$ ( any pat5t sc5t4 ,e m9k t gets on t swamp1 if x is n ov] two or ?ree miles long1 w visit t place 9 "o or two nights4 ,at a place l t ,i leave ! traps all w9t] & w cat* z _m m9k z a trapp] t scatt]s twice z _m traps1 "o 9 a place1 all ov] ! swamp4 ,!re are "o or two places 9 e swamp or pond :]e ne>ly e m9k w visit4 ,x may be a hole 9 a bank or an old muskrat h\se4 ,y c tell x by ! signs or by tracks 9 ! sn[4 ,!re is ! place1 !n y are sure ( y\r m9k4 ,i make small iron /akes to fa/5 my traps :]e ,i c get no?+ = a drag4 ,i make !m myself4 ,take a rod #a_/d in* ?ick1 cut 9 l5g?s #h in*es long1 turn "o end :5 hot ov] ! r+ ( trap *a91 %>p5 ! o!r end4 ,i only lo/ "o m9k la/ w9t] by gnaw+ 8 foot (f4 ,a fi% is good bait = m9k1 also fi% oil & fre% rabbits or birds4 ,:5 buy+ traps1 buy ! be/1 !y are ! *eape/ 9 ! long run4 ,"s trapp]s buy ! *eap traps & lose en\gh fur ! fir/ season to pay = good traps4 ,i f9d t x pays to /ret* & c>e = furs well4 ,i h b\ght furs t 7 n wor? "o ?ird price4 ,m9k 7 /ret*$ #f in*es wide at tail tap]+ to a po9t at nose1 be+ #h in*es long1 :5 !y %\ld h be5 #af or #bj in*es & #c to #d wide4 ,aga9 ,i h got !m t !y 7 /ret*$ s tight y c\ld see ?r\gh !m4 ,illu/ration3 ,,camp+ ,,out4 ,"s trapp]s claim ! m9k is v sly & h>d to trap1 o!rs t he is v easy to trap1 & t !y c\ld cat* an unlimit$ numb] if ! m9k 7 only pl5tiful 9 _! locality4 ,i always l to read any?+ ,i c f9d on ?is subject1 says an ,ill9ois trapp]4 ,sometimes ,i f9d me?ods t ,i h us$ ) good success1 me?ods t ,i ?9k w\ld be good1 & me?ods t ,i ?9k w\ld nev] "w 9 any locality4 ,n l ! muskrat1 ! habits ( ! m9k are almo/ ! same 9 all localities1 b *ang+ "s 9 diff]5t seasons ( ! ye>4 ,9 ,c5tral ,ill9ois along ) ! *ange ( seasons1 we h wet & dry seasons1 & good me?ods ( trapp+ 9 ! dry season w n "w at all 9 ! wet4 ,:5 ,i fir/ />t$ trapp+ m9k ,i met ) v good success1 n due to any good me?od1 b z f> back z ,i c rememb] ,i h always be5 a lov] ( nature1 & ,i 0 n a /rang] to ! habits ( ! m9k4 ,& ,i w say "r "h to all "y trapp]s1 & also to "s old] ones--le>n ! habits ( ! animal y wi% to trap1 & if y are half a trapp]1 success w be y\rs4 ,i h le>n$ _m ?+s t ,i nev] knew be=e ,i trapp$ = him1 b ,i w\ld n trade :at ,i knew be=e = :at ,i h le>n$ s9ce4 ,i am go+ to try to make pla9 to y1 bro!r trapp]s1 "s ( ! me?ods we use "h 9 ,ill9ois1 & ,i believe ^! same me?ods w "w 9 all localities4 ,?is section ( ! c\ntry is cut up ) small dit*es & small creeks1 ideal places = m9k & muskrat4 ,9 ! dry season all ! tile dit*es & small creeks h v little wat] 9 !m1 & no bett] places c ! m9k f9d ?an a dry tile or an old muskrat d54 ,"h !y w live until ! wat] drives !m out 9 ! spr+4 ,:5 sett+ ! trap at a tile1 if ! tile is too l>ge1 a c\ple ( /icks /uck 9 front ( ! tile w n>r[ ! op5+1 & a trap set prop]ly 9 front ( ! tile w be v apt to cat* ! m9k go+ 9 or out ( ! tile4 ,always see t ! jaws ( ! trap re/ firmly on ! gr\nd & t !re is no dang] ( dirt or /icks or ev5 grass gett+ 9 betwe5 ! jaws ( ! trap1 = if x does y w lose y\r m9k ev5 if he gets caught4 ,a m9k t has once be5 caught 9 a trap is d\bly h>d to cat*1 al?\gh ,i h met two exceptions to t rule1 & w say t !y 7 two ( ! bl9de/ m9k ,i ev] trapp$4 ,f9e grass1 dri$ will[ leaves1 rabbit fur1 or mo/ any light mat]ial t w n int]f]e ) ! work+s ( ! trap & w n make too great a contra/ to ! surr\nd+s1 w be good to cov] ! trap4 ,always be c>eful n to di/urb ! surr\nd+s too mu*1 z a m9k w notice ?is quick] ?an ! sc5t y leave on ! traps :5 y set !m4 ,a good rule to foll[ is--always set y\r trap fac+ ! way y ?9k ! m9k is go+ to come1 nev] sideways if possible to set any o!r4 ,9 sett+ at an old rat d51 if possible always set ! trap a c\ple ( in*es inside ( ! d5 & pull ! spr+ ar\nd s a m9k go+ into ! hole w n /ep on ! spr+4 ,if y cat* a female m9k fir/1 always reset ! trap1 z ! *ances are greatly 9 y\r favor ( cat*+ ! male soon1 & if m9k are pl5tiful 9 y\r locality y may cat* z _m z a half a doz5 males if 9 ! runn+ season4 ,if y c f9d :]e an old rat hole leads d[n to ! edge ( ! wat] f ! top ( ! bank1 a trap set 9 ! l[] end ( ?is hole w cat* ne>ly e m9k t comes along4 ,!y v seldom miss ! *ance to explore a hole ( t k9d4 ,! old trapp] t told me ab\t ?is set said t he caught twelve m9k 9 "o season at a place ( ?is k9d1 & all 9 ! same trap1 a ,no4 #a ,ne:\se4 ,x _h be5 a wet season ?is ye> ,i speak (1 & ,i w tell y h[ ,i trapp$ m9k 9 ,janu>y & ) six in*es ( sn[ on ! gr\nd4 ,! dit*es & creeks all _h wat] 9 !m & 7 ei!r froz5 ov] or cov]$ ) drift$ sn[4 ,my be/ set 0 to set a c\ple ( traps 9 ! w>m wat] t came out ( ! tiles4 ,a m9k is a great lov] ( wat] & w play 9 a place ( ?is k9d = half an h\r at a "t1 & two traps w almo/ cat* him4 ,:5ev] !re is a small air hole 9 ! ice he w inve/igate1 & if y place ! trap directly "u ?is hole he _c v well miss gett+ caught4 ,= ?is set ! wat] %\ld n be ov] f\r in*es deep4 ,aft] ! m9k makes a hole ?r\gh ! sn[ drift he w always foll[ ! same hole1 w come into & g out ( ! wat] at c]ta9 places1 & a trap set at any ( ^! places is almo/ sure to cat*4 ,z a sc5t bait1 ,i use ! matrix ( ! female m9k tak5 9 ! runn+ season1 & = fre% meat bait ,i use rat1 b ,i pref] ! bl9d & wat] sets1 & d n use ! o!rs until ^! two h fail$ only 9 ! latt] "p ( ,febru>y & ,m>*4 ,) slight *anges ,i believe ^! sets c be us$ 9 mo/ localities4 ,my exp]i5ce 9 trapp+ is limit$ to "o season1 ! la/1 dur+ :i* ,i trapp$ #ci m9k1 besides ! five t left _! legs 9 traps & f\r tak5 by ?ieves & dogs4 ,b my success has be5 s mu* above t ( o!rs :o h tri$ to duplicate my luck1 t ,i want to give "s po9t]s to "s :o h n _h satisfactory results 9 trapp+ m9k1 says a ,s\? ,dakota p>ty4 ,?is is a well settl$ prairie c\ntry1 ) "o small creek runn+ ?r\gh x1 & an occasional sl\gh4 ,game ( all k9d is pretty well clean$ out4 ,9 fact1 x 0 n g5]ally kn[n t any numb] ( m9k exi/$ "h4 ,be+ q a hunt] ) no?+ to hunt1 ,i conceiv$ ! idea to trap a m9k1 & be=e ,i got ?r\gh ,i f\nd ! sport m enjoyable & pr(itable ?an hunt+4 ,i _h no trapp]s guide to help me1 & x took me ?ree weeks & m ?an a doz5 trips to my traps to cat* ! fir/ m9k4 ,b dur+ t "t my exp]i5ce & obs]vations 7 tea*+ me fa/4 ,& lat] :5 ,i saw a trap at ab\t e hole 9 ! c\ntry ) seldom a cat*1 x amus$ me4 ,my receipt to a beg9n] is--get ?ree sizes ( traps1 ,no4 #j to set at holes1 ,no4 #a to set 9 wat] or pa?1 & ,/op ,?ief to set ov] holes t ! o!rs _c be us$ at1 or = sure cat* :5 y "k m9k to be 94 ,see t y\r traps h /rong spr+s1 & t :5 set f9e ! pan is on a level ) jaws4 ,all traps %\ld be alike 9 ?is respect4 ,n[ to prev5t !m f ru/+ z well z to take ! sc5t (f1 heat !m en\gh to run "s wax ov] !m4 ,z to :]e to set !m1 y mu/ f9d "s signs ( m9k ne> wat]1 tracks 9 s&1 dropp+s1 or be/ ( all1 us$ holes4 ,n[ rememb] y h to deal ) "s ( ! mo/ intellig5t b sup]/iti\s & %y ( animals4 ,i kept "o at my h\se = a :ile & f\nd him m intellig5t ?an a cat or dog4 ,!y get bold & c>eless "s times1 b n v (t54 ,_! holes are frequ5tly %all[1 & !y are suspici\s ( "o's pres5ce4 ,! less y frequ5t ! place & tramp ab\t 8 pa?s1 ! bett]4 ,avoid ! hole if possible4 ,fir/ *oice is to set ! trap 9 %all[ wat] on 8 runways1 /ick+ up we$s if necess>y to make him g ov] ! traps4 ,! next *oice is :]e he goes 9 & out ( ! wat]4 ,next 9 dry pa? & la/ at 8 hole :]e he is ! mo/ suspici\s ( di/urbance4 ,wat] set is ! be/ & easie/1 b ev5 !n ! trap %\ld be cov]$ ) light mud4 ,on dry l& y %\ld leave ! place look+ z natural z be=e4 ,at ! hole use a small trap1 ,blake ,lamb is ! easie/ & quicke/ set4 ,remove en\gh dirt to s9k ! trap to a level4 ,set trap ) jaws nev] crossways to ! hole4 ,h jaws re/ s t jaws w n tilt if /epp$ on4 ,n[ see t pan is set j ab\t "r1 n too easy1 & n[ y are ready = ! mo/ important "p--to cov]--s x w /ay cov]$ & spr+ reg>dless ( freez+1 ?aw+1 sn[+1 or bl[+1 & n to clog ! jaws ) rubbi%4 ,x is too t$i\s to get ! m9k ov] ! trap to h some?+ g wrong at ! critical mom5t4 ,i use br[n tissue pap] or ! fuzz f cattails1 :i* ,i spr9kle ) a little f9e dirt or rubbi% at h&1 ! *a9 hav+ be5 previ\sly /ak$ & hid4 ,all %\ld n[ be left look+ z natural z be=e1 & "o's tracks oblit]at$4 ,a well set trap w n reveal itself to ! game or to any o!r trapp]4 ,a hole set trap %\ld n be approa*$ unnecess>ily4 ,m9k w seldom get 9 ! fir/ night1 & x takes too long to reset !m4 ,m9k w /ay 9 holes sev]al days if !y fe> dang]4 ,i _h "o /ay twelve days because !re 0 a ,/op ,?ief trap ov] ! hole1 b ,i kept x !re because !re 0 a /eam visible at ! m\? ( ! hole1 & ,i got h]4 ,i h us$ sc5t to "s advantage1 n to draw b to detract ! m9k's att5tion1 b z to baits ,i h fai?fully tri$ !m all f muskrat to a frog1 & ,i h nev] kn[n a m9k to approa* any ( !m no matt] :]e1 :51 or h[ left1 except if left by !mselves4 ,9 ! =e "p ( ! w9t] ,i caught ab\t all ! males1 p]haps because !y 7 bold]4 ,lat] ,i got ! females4 ,! l>ge/ m9k ,i got /ret*$ #db in*es f tip to tip1 & 8 hide on a five in* bo>d 0 #bd in*es4 ,he 0 light br[n4 ,no4 #j held him by two toes4 ,9 fact1 ,i nev] lo/ a m9k f t siz$ trap4 ,^? t *ew$ out 7 caught up too high4 ,my exp]i5ce 9 trapp+ is altoge!r 9 m9k & 9 a prairie c\ntry1 & x has always be5 a great pleasure & v pr(itable = me1 says an ,i[a trapp]4 ,z ,i h said1 trapp+ m9k is a sci5ce :i* few trapp]s und]/&1 & c le>n only by long exp]i5ce & close /udy4 ,any "o tak+ two or ?ree doz5 traps & /r++ !m out1 sett+ 9 holes & dit*es1 c cat* a few m9k4 ,i "k m5 :o h trapp$ = ye>s & claim to cat* lots ( fur1 b x makes me smile to see h[ !y set !m2 !y simply don't "k _! ,a ,b ,c's ab\t trapp+ m9k4 ,illu/ration3 ,,moses ,,bone4 ,! "t t ,i h put 9 trapp+ m9k = ! la/ #cg ye>s has paid me bigg] money ?an any?+ ,i ev] tri$2 ( c\rse ,i mean buy+ & %ipp+ at ! same "t ( trapp+4 ,c\nt+ t5 h\rs z a day's "w1 ,i h cle>$ f five to tw5ty doll>s p] day4 ,n[ z ,i said sev]al ye>s ago1 ,i h no secret or ,i w\ld let bro!r trapp]s h x2 ,i use no sc5t :atev] b fre% bait1 :i* is all t is necess>y4 ,y mu/ le>n by exp]i5ce :]e & h[ to set y\r trap4 ,t is all ! secret any m9k trapp] has4 ,! me?od = sett+ = m9k1 rats or coon are all ! same1 c cat* ei!r 9 ! same trap4 ,wat] set is my way ( sett+ & f> bett] ?an any o!r ,i ?9k4 ,9 dit*es or /reams :]e ! wat] is %all[ en\gh to set y\r traps 9 :]e ! curr5t runs aga9/ ! bank2 !n scoop out a hole #h in*es into ! bank4 ,i h us$ a but*] knife to dig ! mud out )2 ! wat] mu/ fl[ into ! hole1 :i* %\ld be two in*es deep4 ,cut a =k$ /ick1 "o prong "o in* long1 ! o!r #f or #h in*es long2 %>p5 x1 run y\r bait on ?is1 put ! /ick 9 ! back ( ! hole :i* fa/5s y\r bait4 ,n[ set y\r trap1 turn ! spr+ to "o side1 fa/5 ! *a9 ! h&ie/ way y c s x is secure4 ,i nev] _h a m9k cut 8 leg (f & get away4 ,n[ /ick up we$s or /icks on ei!r side ( ! hole s ! m9k c't get ! bait )\t /epp+ on ! pan ( ! trap4 ,! curr5t %\ld run /rongly ov] ! trap s z to keep ! wat] f freez+1 = !re are v few nights aft] trapp+ "t sets 9 b t ! wat] freezes 9 /ill wat]4 ,i sometimes dam ! wat] to make x run /rongly ov] ! trap4 ,ev]y?+ ab\t ! trap %\ld be left look+ z natural z possible4 ,9 cold wea!r ,i g on ! same pr9ciple4 ,:5 ev]y?+ is froz5 solid ,i use a hat*et cutt+ a hole 9 ! bank2 use ice or *unks ( wood to make a lane to set y\r trap 91 & ?r[ y\r bait 9 z f> z y c get x4 ,( c\rse y _c fa/5 x4 ,to %[ h[ well animals c sc5t a bait or any?+ ( t k9d ,i w relate an incid5t t happ5$ sev]al ye>s ago4 ,!re 0 a fre% fall ( sn[ & be+ w>m ! skunk 7 out ( _! burr[s1 & ,i 0 track+ "o go+ s\!a/ c\rse4 ,all at once x turn$ squ>e to ! left go+ "s ?irty feet & came to an old dri$ up mole cov]$ ) ! sn[4 ,he nos$ ar\nd x a :ile & !n w5t ! same direction z be=e4 ,t %[$ pla9ly t animals c sc5t _! game4 ,,*apt] ,,ix4 ,,s\!rn ,,me?ods4 ,on read+ ! me?ods us$ by ! ,nor!rn m9k trapp] "o is almo/ =c$ to ! conclusion t ! m9k !re is a diff]5t "o f ^? "h1 79 ,texas71 b ( c\rse su* is n ! case4 ,my limit$ exp]i5ce 9 trapp+ m9k "h has br\ght me to ! conclusion t !y are n afraid ( human sc5t1 or old mu/y traps ei!r4 ,my op9ion is t x is ! di/urb$ surr\nd+s t cause !m to %y f ! trap4 ,i once set a trap 9 a m9k run 9 r rank grass at #f ,p4,m4 & ! next morn+ _h a ,no4 #a m9k 9 x 7poor color ( c\rse74 ,! trap 0 n bait$ or sc5t$ & 0 set )\t gloves4 ,( c\rse ,i did n tread d[n or pull up ! grass to make a nice place to set1 b /ood at ! side & slipp$ x 9 ! trail 9 a slight depression4 ,! m9k did n seem trap %y al?\gh he _h lo/ a foot 9 a previ\s exp]i5ce4 ,!re are any numb] ( m9k "h1 b ! cat* is r small comp>$ to ! cat* ( o!r furs4 ,i v (t5 ask ! trapp]s1 :y don't y g aft] m9k1 !y w pay y be/8 ,! answ] is inv>iably1 ,i c't cat* !m1 ,i don't "k h[4 ,:y don't y set y\r traps 9 _! runs1 or at ! m\? ( ! d5s8 ,act+ on ?is advice he sails out1 f9ds a d51 leaves all 8 traps & o!r plund] at x1 & hikes out home = a spade & old ,t[s]4 ,!y bo? put 9 half a day1 !n give x up4 ,mr4 ,m9k is n at home4 ,c't trap !m no h[4 ,sometimes he accid5tally gets "o4 ,!n he goes aft] !m "r1 te>s & digs up e d5 he c f9d until 8 en?usiasm plays out4 ,by ?is "t he has spoil$ all1 or a good portion ( 8 trapp+ gr\nd1 :5 if he _h plac$ a trap at ! m\? ( ea* d51 & done x 9 a prop] mann]1 he might h caught tw5ty or tw5ty-five m9k dur+ ! season4 ,n[ & !n y f9d a fell[ :o has a good m9k dog & cat*es #ge or #ajj wor? ( !m 9 a season4 ,:ile ?is is all "r = ! fell[ t owns a dog1 x does n fill my ideas ( gett+ m9k pelts1 z te>+ & digg+ out _! d5s has a t5d5cy to cause !m to hunt homes else:]e4 ,i h caught f\r nice m9k at ! m\? ( "o d5 9 a s+le season1 & v likely ,i %all cat* "s !re ?is season4 ,i d n cov] ! trap1 nor d ,i use sc5t or bait4 ,i place ! trap 9 a depression ab\t f\r or six in*es f ! m\? ( ! d52 don't cock ! trap up s t he c see x tw5ty feet be=e he rea*es x2 arrange matt]s s he w h to get ov] ! trap to get 9 ! d54 ,:5 he comes next "t y w likely get him4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,"y ,,trapp]4 ,m9k "h use ! prairies ar\nd ponds & small /reams t dra9 ! prairies4 ,ar\nd rice f>ms is a spl5did place = !m4 ,!y d5 9 rank grass & s& knolls1 & travel at night1 9 all k9ds ( wea!r1 & v (t5 y see !m ( foggy morn+s4 ,!y fe$ on frogs1 small fi%1 crawfi%1 birds1 rabbits & ! l1 & v (t5 !y visit ! p\ltry y>ds4 ,my advice to ! ,s\!rn m9k trapp] is1 f9d :]e m9k use1 foll[ out _! trails & runs4 ,by notic+ ^! closely y w f9d ! places :]e he is compell$ to put 8 feet or quit ! trail4 ,"h is ! place to set y\r trap4 ,take a ,no4 #a ( any good make1 set x & adju/ x prop]ly & slip x 9 ! trail ?r\gh ! grass1 & be sure t ! top ( ! jaws & spr+ are level ) ! gr\nd4 ,d ?is 9 ord] t he c't see ! trap until he is at1 or 9 x4 ,9 cat*+ m9k on ! bran*es ,i v (t5 use baits4 ,:5 y f9d a log cross+ ! /ream1 cut a not* = y\r trap1 & sme> x ) mud s x won't look fre%4 ,x is ! same ) logs lay+ up & d[n /reams4 ,on ^! sets ,i use bait & a slight cov]+ ( f9e tra%y leaves4 ,put ! bait "u ! trap1 /ake ! *a9 to ! side ( ! log1 !n place on ! slight cov]+4 ,9 mo/ sets 9 wat] ,i make !m bl9d1 b %\ld surr\nd+s require1 ,i bait4 ,:ile ,i use a v small am\nt1 ,i am n av]se to us+ bait :]e ,i consid] x requir$1 & c say ! same ( cov]+ = traps4 ,z = sc5t1 h nev] us$ any1 b am ( ! op9ion x w\ld be ( great help at c]ta9 seasons4 ,m9k is ab\t all !re is to trap 9 ?is "p ( ,nor? ,c>ol9a1 & ,i h /udi$ out a good _m ?+s ab\t trapp+ !m4 ,i live :]e ! c\ntry is hilly & has a good _m bran*es & creeks1 yet x is s ?ickly settl$ t m9k are sc>ce4 ,up to )9 a ye> ago !re 0 sc>cely any trapp+ done ab\t "h4 ,ev]ybody seems to h a spite aga9/ ! little m9k1 & :5ev] ! dogs />t "o ev]ybody lays aside ev]y?+ to help kill ! pesky v>m9t1 & :oev] kills x dem&s a *ick5 pie1 :e!r he gets x or n4 ,& = j su* reasons z ?is !y are v sc>ce1 & x is v seldom t ,i c f9d ! track ( a real l>ge "o4 ,i ?9k !y mu/ get out ( ?is neighborhood z soon z !y are gr[n4 ,i h to conceal my traps v cauti\sly to cat* ^! small & m$ium m9k4 ,:5 ,i am look+ = a place to set my trap ,i select a n>r[ s& b> :]e !y wade d[n into ! wat]4 ,i !n dig out a place = ! trap s x w set level & "u wat] ab\t a qu>t] ( an in*2 ,i !n take "s l>ge wat] soak$ leaves & cov] trap1 !n cov] leaves ) f9e dirt or s& l t ar\nd trap4 ,if ! wat] is p]fectly /ill1 & no?+ to bo!r cov]+1 ,i pref] a piece ( wet pap]1 a little l>g] ?an trap1 in/ead ( leaves4 ,i w say to ^? trapp]s :o nev] use any?+ b leaves to cov] _! traps1 t !y c\ld n get _m m9k ar\nd "h t way1 = ,i h tri$ x1 & !y w\ld ei!r g ar\nd trap or jump ov] x4 ,always c>ry "s k9d ( fire>ms2 x w m ?an pay = its tr\ble4 ,!n too1 x leads o!rs to believe y are hunt+ & !y won't be s apt to see y sett+ traps1 & if y let z few z possible see y set traps y won't h to accuse ,sneakum s (t54 ,x doesn't matt] :at y are trapp+1 cov] y\r traps ! be/ y c1 & !n x won't be a f9e job2 don't leave any loose dirt1 tracks or any?+ else ar\nd trap t looks odd or unnatural2 :5 y get y\r pelt1 don't te> x (f any old way1 take y\r "t & y w get big pay = x4 ,9 ! foll[+ words ,i n only express my s5tim5ts b ! views ( all trapp]s ,i h conv]s$ ) on ! subject1 writes a ,texas trapp]4 ,our m9k are n at all educat$4 ,!y are easily caught 9 traps n ev5 conceal$4 ,! m9k1 z we all "k1 is fond ( hav+ food at all times1 & :5 hungry does n appe> to consid] ! trap an imp$im5t4 ,_m are caught 9 ,/op ,?ief ,traps 9 ?is community4 ,i 0 ! fir/ to introduce t trap 9 ?is section1 & x has met ) favor because x deprives ! m9k ( ! privilege ( gnaw+ (f 8 foot or leg4 ,!y are trapp$ bo? 9 wat] & on l&4 ,i h always _h bett] success trapp+ m9k ?an o!r animals1 (t5 cat*+ !m by _! tails1 :i*1 by ! way1 is ! be/ k9d to hold4 ,if ! m9k "h 7 trap-%y x w\ld be bett] = !m1 = !re are v few ( !m t h n met ! trapp]'s fate4 ,illu/ration3 ,,l>ge ,,s\!rn ,,m9k4 ,a ,s\!rn trapp] writes z foll[s3 ,:5 ,i 0 ab\t f\rte5 ye>s old ,i got hold ( a price li/ ( raw furs & a k9d ( trapp+ fev] got hold ( me & ,i pur*as$ a trapp]'s guide1 & :5 ,i _h /udi$ x my fa!r & ,i set to "w to make "s traps4 ,:5 we got !m done ,i w5t d[n to a bran* ne> "h & set !m ! be/ ,i knew h[ = m9k4 ,i tri$ him e way b nev] got a smell4 ,s ,i tri$ a ye> )\t success4 ,!n ,i gave x up = sev]al ye>s & ?\ght ,i w\ld h to cont5t myself work+ 9 ! %op1 z ,i am a me*anic by trade & n a trapp]4 ,9 lat] ye>s ,i ?\ght ,i w\ld try x aga9 z ! m9k 7 giv+ ! p\ltry ar\nd "h tr\ble4 ,s ,i set out aga91 & 9 ! meantime ,i receiv$ a price li/ & ,i notic$ !y adv]tis$ animal bait = sale4 ,i ord]$ a bottle ( m9k bait & ?\ght ,i w\ld cat* !m4 ,:5 ,i receiv$ ! bait ,i f\nd :]e an old m9k or two _h a runway 9 a small bran*4 ,!y w\ld come up ! bran* e night4 ,i kill$ "s birds & us$ "s m9k bait on !m & hung !m ov] my traps4 ,"o old dog m9k w\ld come )9 six in*es ( ! bait & my traps & did n pay any att5tion to x4 ,i _h "s ( my traps 9 wat] & "s on s& b>s conceal$ ! be/ ,i knew h[1 b ,i did n get him t way4 ,"o ev5+ ,i 0 at ! %op & ,i told my fa!r ,i 0 go+ d[n to place my traps & see :i* 0 ! sm>te/1 ! m9k or me4 ,i _h notic$ he w\ld g by my traps & climb up a little bank & jump d[n ov] a root1 s ,i set ! trap !re & cov]$ ) leaves4 ,i _h f\r traps set close toge!r1 & :5 ,i w5t to ! sets ! next morn+ ,i f\nd him ) a foot 9 ea*4 ,he didn't dig & gnaw ev]y?+ 9 rea* z he 0 too badly ti$ up4 ,i ?\ght ,i w\ld get !m all n[1 b ,i nev] got any m till la/ season4 ,i wrote to ! ,oneida ,community = a price li/ ( traps & !y mail$ me "o1 & s5t an adv]tisem5t ( ! ,h-,t-,t4 ,s ,i subscrib$ at once & receiv$ ! ,octob] numb]4 ,9 read+ ! lett]s ,i saw ,bro!r ,f4 ,m4 ,frazi]'s lett] head$1 ,advice to ,"y ,trapp]s4 ,i 0 impress$ ) ! old g5tleman's tone ( writ+ s ,i wrote to him & ask$ him = help1 & expla9$ my difficulties to him4 ,he gave me "s f9e sets & told me ?+s ,i nev] ?\ght ( or he>d ( be=e1 al?\gh ,i h s9ce le>n$ t !y _h be5 publi%$ 9 ! ,h-,t-,t4 ,i pur*as$ ab\t ?irty-n9e second h& traps ,nos4 #a & #a #a_/b4 ,decemb] #cj? f\nd me sett+ traps = m9k4 ,i c>ri$ out ,bro!r ,frazi]'s plans & directions4 ,i made ?irte5 bl9d sets1 & on ,monday morn+ w5t ar\nd to see if any?+ 0 do+4 ,! fir/ trap ,i came to 0 sprung & _h a m9k's toe 9 x4 ,i felt pretty bad1 b t 0 m ?an ,i _h gott5 9 a good :ile4 ,s ,i w5t to ano!r trap1 & be=e ,i got !re ,i saw ev]y?+ gnaw$ up1 & on go+ clos] up jump$ an old m9k on a log ne> ! trap4 ,8 eyes sp>k$ b ,i soon put an end to him1 & ,i h be5 cat*+ m9k ev] s9ce4 ,on ,febru>y #a/ ,i mov$ "s ( my traps d[n a riv] ne> "h4 ,i made mo/ ( my sets 9 wat] & us$ rabbit = bait4 ,i made enclosures & put bait 9 back end ( same & ! trap at ! entrance4 ,i notic$ a hole ne> ! creek t empti$ into ! riv] & ,i set a trap at ! hole4 ,i h notic$ t hole = sev]al ye>s & _h be5 see+ a l>ge m9k on t creek = eight or t5 ye>s4 ,i h se5 8 track :]e he w\ld g 9 t hole e "t he w\ld g along by x1 b :5 ,i set my traps !re ,i didn't see any tracks4 ,! next "t ,i w5t !re ,i f\nd a l>ge br[n m9k 9 my trap1 b x wasn't ! big "o4 ,i didn't get any m !re = "s "t1 nei!r _h ,i se5 ! big m9k track s9ce ,i set my traps d[n !re1 b on go+ to my traps "o morn+ ,i saw t some?+ 0 do+4 ,:5 ,i came close ,i saw t !re 0 some?+ big 9 ! trap & _h dragg$ ! trap back 9 ! hole ! full l5g? ( ! *a94 ,i took hold ( ! *a9 & began to pull4 ,i soon pull$ him out z f> z 8 h9d legs & he look$ s big ,i let g ! *a9 & he w5t back 9 ! hole4 ,i pull$ him out & put a #bb betwe5 8 eyes & t settl$ him4 ,he measur$ ?irty-two & a half in*es f tip to tip on ! bo>d4 ,h[ is ?is = a l>ge m9k1 bro!r trapp]s8 ,,*apt] ,x4 ,,nor!rn ,,me?ods4 ,z = sets1 ,i ?9k x all dep5ds ^u ! c\ntry & seasons4 ,= m9k 9 my c\ntry1 ,ont>io1 ,i pref] a holl[ tree turn$ up at ! roots1 sett+ a ,no4 #a trap1 bait$ ) ei!r fi% or muskrat4 ,su* a set %\ld be on ! bank ( a lake or riv]1 z a hungry m9k go+ along ! %ore is always runn+ 9 su* old roots & logs4 ,z = wat] sets1 !y keep freez+ up1 & ano!r ?+1 x is n natural = a piece ( meat to be hang+ on a /r+4 ,a ,mi*igan trapp] writes z foll[s3 ,n[ bro!r trapp]s1 are y en]getically putt+ 9 y\r leisure "t dur+ ,septemb] & ,octob] look+ up new gr\nds = hunt+ & trapp+ & f9d+ signs & trails ( coon1 m9k & fox1 or are y l\ng+ ar\nd & putt+ all ?is (f till x is "t to take out y\r l9e ( traps8 ,septemb] & ,octob] is ! "t to asc]ta9 :]e ! game is1 & if y wi% success & good sport & increas$ rev5ue1 x is to y\r int]e/ to d a little hu/l+ & by wat*+ _! moves 9 y\r neighborhood4 ,i h made m9k trapp+ a specialty & = tw5ty-five ye>s ,i h be5 successful 9 trapp+ him1 & x did n take me long to appreciate "o po9t1 t is1 ,i 0 up aga9/ a little animal ( almo/ human intellig5ce1 & today ?is animal is z sm>t & z %y z !y ev] 74 ,illu/ration3 ,,caught ,,9 ,,m9nesota4 ,!re are ?ree rules v ess5tial 9 trapp+ any k9d ( animals1 "o ( ! secrets ( success is to "k h[1 :]e & :5 to set a trap4 ,ano!r is to get a dep5dable trap1 :i* 9 my e/imation is a ,ne:\se ,no4 #a & ,no4 #b4 ,i use ^! traps = e purpose f a weasel to a l>ge coon4 ,! ?ird "o ,i nev] v>y f1 & t is to set e trap z c>efully z possible1 z ?\gh x 0 int5d$ to cat* a %y m9k or coon1 z "o ( ^? animals w (t5 happ5 ar\nd :5 "o lea/ expects x4 ,x is be/ to set a trap 9 good %ape & always take "t & conceal ea* trap c>efully4 ,i h be=e n[ set traps all ar\nd 9 wood & field = skunk4 ,i h gone ! r\nds to my skunk traps & f\nd a f9e big coon or weasel in/ead ( a skunk1 or to my rat traps & f\nd a l>ge m9k or raccoon in/ead ( a rat1 & ^! lucky surprises occurr$ because my traps 7 well set & conceal$4 ,i w n outl9e my me?od h[ to set1 b y may bet y\r old hat y w take ,mr4 ,coon or ,m9k1 or :atev] animal happ5s along 9 y\r neighborhood1 & y "k :]e _! trails are4 ,f ,octob] until trapp+ "t look = _! signs & tracks along wat] edge1 9 woods1 9 old roads1 c[ pa?s 9 woods1 pa/ures & fields1 & "u f5ces1 keep+ all ^! places 9 m9d until ! "t = trapp+ comes4 ,!n take ) y lots ( traps1 !n y "k :]e to set4 ,smoke y\r traps be=e sett+1 h&le ev]y?+ ) gloves on1 cultivate ! habit ( leav+ ! place ) z little *ange z possible1 & f9i% ! job by bru%+ away y\r tracks imm$iately ar\nd ! traps4 ,!n visit y\r traps regul>ly & )\t any unnecess>y company4 ,trapp]s (t5 notice t fur be>+ animals h disappe>$ f ! localities :]e once !y 7 num]\s4 ,!re are _m reasons = ?is disappe>ance1 ! de/ruction ( _! d5s or trees 9 :i* !y live4 ,no true trapp] w cut a coon tree or dig out d5s ( m9k1 skunk or fox1 if he wi%es to ev] trap on ! same gr\nd aga94 ,n[ ,i am n a pr(essional trapp]1 says a ,m9nesota trapp]1 b ,i make all animal habits a v close /udy1 & love to be among !m 9 _! wild homes & love to set a trap once 9 a :ile j = exp]i5ce1 & nev] fail to get my game4 ,! o!r day ,i w5t rabbit hunt+4 ,we h ab\t two in*es ( fre% sn[4 ,i got "o rabbit & f\nd a fre% m9k track s ,i conclud$ to foll[ him4 ,inside ( a hundr$ y>ds ,i f\nd ano!r hole :]e he came out dragg+ some?+4 ,i /ill foll[$4 ,ano!r fifty y>ds fur!r ,i f\nd :]e he w5t 9 ano!r hole 7x 0 9 a bog7 & f\nd a muskrat half eat5 up & a f9e place to set two traps4 ,i _h no traps ) me1 s ,i m>*$ home ab\t f\r miles & got two traps all ru/$ up & ti$ ) a piece ( copp] wire4 ,i greas$ !m up ) sew+ ma*9e oil & />t$ back4 ,:5 ,i got to ! place x 0 gett+ d>k & ,i _h to set ! traps by mat* light4 ,i w tell y h[ ,i set ! traps to fool ! m9k s he c\ld n smell ! traps or ma*9e oil4 ,i took ! muskrat & rubb$ all ov] ! traps ) ! bloody side & set ! traps "o 9 ea* hole1 & took an oak leaf & sme>$ blood on & laid x on ! pan ( ea* trap1 & !n laid ! muskrat 9 ! c5t] ( ! two s he w\ld h to cross ei!r trap to get ! rat4 ,i !n cov]$ ! hole up ) ! same dirt & moss t ,i dug out1 & w5t home4 ,at five o'clock ! next morn+ ,i left home to get my prize4 ,i got !re by daylight & !re 0 ,mr4 ,m9k caught 9 bo? traps1 "o on ea* foot4 ,he 0 ! l>ge/ m9k ,i got t w9t]4 ,he 0 br[n & :5 /ret*$ measur$ exactly ?irty-five in*es f tip to tip4 ,i almo/ always trap m9k 9 ! w9t] ) bl9d sets1 says a ,wiscons9 trapp]1 by *opp+ a place = ! trap s x w be1 :5 set1 ab\t level ) ! surface ( ! m9k's trail 9 front ( ! holes t ! m9k makes 9 ! sn[4 ,i !n take cat tails t gr[ 9 ! m>%es & spread "s on trap b$2 ,i !n place my trap & next "s m cat tails spread on top ( trap1 & la/ "s sn[ :i* ,i spread ov] x all ) a twig c>efully s x w be nice & smoo?4 ,! cat tail ,i spread "u ! trap is to keep ! trap f freez+ fa/ at ! bottom4 ,i h _h v good success ) ?is set4 ,i us$ to use bait altoge!r1 b v few m9k c n[ be caught ar\nd "h ) bait4 ,i once set a trap = a m9k alongside ( a log :i* lay across ! /ream1 sett+ ! trap on %ore ne> ! ice :ile /&+ on ! log2 !re 0 ab\t #bj in*es ( sn[ on ! gr\nd1 s x left a space beh9d ! trap 9 :i* ,i plac$ a piece ( rabbit4 ,! next morn+ ,i %\ld h _h a m9k b in/ead ( t ! m9k _h t piece ( rabbit1 & a l>g] hole alongside ! log %[$ t x _h be5 dragg$ fur!r back "u ! sn[4 ,i !n set my trap aga91 ty+ fa/ ano!r piece ( rabbit1 b ,mr4 ,m9k _h en\gh rabbit = a :ile1 s ab\t five days aft]w>ds ,i _h a squirrel 9 x4 ,i !n ?rew ! rabbit away & put ! squirrel 9 ! sn[ along ! side & above ! trap1 ) only ! tail out ( ! sn[4 ,ab\t ?ree days m & some?+ _h happ5$4 ,! trap laid sprung 9 ! place ,i _h set x & 9 x 0 ! tip ( a squirrel's tail1 & ! squirrel ,i _h laid = bait 0 gone4 ,?is might seem untrue b x is only too true1 al?\gh j h[ x might h happ5$ ,i _c acc\nt =4 ,i !n kick$ up ! sn[ & f\nd t ! m9k _h come f "u ! ice on ! o!r side ( ! log & circl$ ! end ( ! log1 com+ 9 beh9d ! trap aft] ! bait1 all ! way travel+ "u ! sn[4 ,i h nev] gott5 t m9k1 b h le>n$ bett] ways s9ce t "t1 & f9d t :]e m9k are trapp$ mu* ! bl9d set is by f> ! be/4 ,,*apt] ,,xi4 ,,unusual ,,ways4 ,we c h>dly approve ( "s ( ! me?ods h]e9 describ$1 b !y w d\btless cont9ue to be employ$ s long z !y are n prohibit$ by law4 ,occasionally too1 !re might be circum/ances to ju/ify resort+ to ! mo/ objectionable ( !m1 writes a trapp] & hunt] ( ,ma9e4 ,! fir/ ( ^? ,i %all speak ( requires a good dog1 "o t w foll[ ! m9k's track & drive him to hole4 ,ne>ly any intellig5t dog1 ) a fair am\nt ( ! hunt+ in/9ct1 c soon be tra9$ to d ?is by all[+ him to smell a few m9k c>casses :ile sk9n+1 & call+ 8 att5tion at e opportunity to ! trails ( ! animals along ! /reams1 foll[+ !m up & mak+ an ef=t to bag ! m9k1 ) 8 help1 z (t5 z possible4 ,! fir/ sn[s af=d good conditions = ! rudim5t>y tra9+1 z ! trail c !n be pla9ly se5 by ! trapp] 7or r hunt] z he %\ld be /yl$ 9 ?is case7 :ile a good sc5t is left = ! dog4 ,hav+ qualifi$ ! dog = track+1 ! next requisite is a p>tn]4 ,?is1 ( c\rse1 means a division ( ! pr(its1 b is unavoidable1 z ! "w _c be p]=m$ satisfactory by "o alone4 ,inde$1 x w m (t5 be f\nd conv5i5t to h yet a ?ird h&1 :i* may be a boy to manage ! dog & assi/ g5]ally4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,few ,,good ,,ones4 ,a mead[ brook1 n too l>ge1 ) l[1 spongy banks1 c be work$ to be/ advantage4 ,look ! gr\nd well ov] 9 advance1 acqua9t+ y\rself ) ! haunts ( ! game1 & all ! holes & o!r places 9 :i* a m9k is likely to take refuge :5 pursu$4 ,= an outfit y ne$ at lea/ a cr[b> & %ovel 7sometimes a %>p po9t$1 h>dwood /ick c be made to answ] = ! =m]7 & ea* man %\ld h a gun4 ,g to ! brook 9 ! e>ly morn+1 be=e ! sc5t has _h "t to cool4 ,all[ ! dog to hunt along ! bord]s & "u ! banks1 & :5 he picks up a track1 "w along ) him until he has ! game 9 hid+4 ,y w f9d x necess>y to assi/ him consid]ably1 z m9k by no means always travel on l&4 ,:5 "o takes to ! wat]1 z !y usually d at %ort int]vals1 ! trail is brok5 beyond ! ability ( ! /ronge/ nos$ dog to foll[ at su* times z ?is1 t is :5 ,mr4 ,m9k takes ! brook = x1 "o %\ld g ahead ) ! dog & f9d :]e he resum$ dry foot+4 ,x w probably n be f>1 = he is 9 & out e few y>ds or s1 & if y g f> )\t /rik+ ! trail y _h bett] turn back1 = he is mo/ likely hid+ 9 ! bank some:]e beh9d y4 ,aft] locat+ ! hole :]e he is hid+1 let ! dog dig him out :ile a man /&s a little di/ance up & d[n ! brook respectively1 ) gun ready cock$ = him :5 he comes along4 ,if ! hole ext5ds "s di/ance back into ! bank1 ! re> end may usually be rea*$1 aft] a few trials1 by ?ru/+ ! b> d[n f ov]head1 :i* w h ! effect to s5d ! hunt$ animal =? 9 a hurry4 ,(t51 h[ev]1 ! spade w h to be br\ght into requisition & us$ freely be=e ! object is accompli%$4 ,at fir/ he w probably =sake "o hole only to take refuge 9 ano!r1 b :5 he f9ds t y are really aft] him1 & t !re is1 moreov]1 a dog 9 ! racket1 he w try ! dodge ( swimm+ "u wat]4 ,!n is y\r "t4 ,wat* = him at ! %all[ places1 :]e he w prove an easy m>k4 ,h guns load$ light & aim to h *>ge /rike a little to "o side ( body4 ,! concussion w be suffici5t to /op him1 & ! fur w n be injur$ z 9 fir+ po9t blank4 ,x is excit+ sport = ! m9k is l greas$ lightn+ 9 8 movem5ts1 & if giv5 ! lea/ *ance w outwit bo? dog & man & escape4 ,an old ,new ,hamp%ire gunn] told u t he & 8 p>tn] once got sixte5 m9k ?is way 9 "o week1 ! be/ ( :i* br\ght !m twelve to fifte5 doll>s a sk94 ,he knew absolutely no?+ ab\t trapp+ s resort$ to ?is me?od in/ead4 ,we h m5tion$ spade1 b> & guns z compris+ ! necess>y outfit1 b ( c\rse v>i\s o!r implem5ts ( "o's own inv5tion & manufacture c (t5 be us$ to advantage4 ,"s make great acc\nt ( a piece ( wire ) a %>p hook at "o end = ?ru/+ into ! hole & draw+ ! m9k to ! light1 z a tr\t f ! wat]4 ,o!rs use a long h&l$ spe> to ?ru/ "u banks1 or to p9ion ! game :5 go+ ?r\gh %all[s4 ,a truly b>b>\s practice besides ! fur!r objections ( greatly damag+ ! pelt ( ! animals tak5 ?us4 ,illu/ration3 ,,broke ,,! ,,fa/5+4 ,ano!r mode ( captur+ ! m9k is to lie ab\t ! /reams on wet & foggy days & %oot him4 ,!y travel a great deal 9 su* wea!r4 ,by select+ a spot :]e y c keep well hidd51 yet comm&+ a long /ret* ( bea* "u "s ov]hang+ bank1 y /& a good *ance to secure a %ot if y h pl5ty ( pati5ce4 ,( c\rse y w\ld n be apt to get _m 9 a day1 b "o m9k repres5ts a pretty good day's "w at ! price !y are sell+ n[4 ,"o *>act]i/ic ( ! animal %\ld be borne 9 m9d :5 pursu+ ?is me?od ( hunt+ him1 & t is 8 p]si/5cy 9 go+ :i*ev] way he wi%es to g4 ,if a m9k />ts to g up a brook he's go+ up be=e he gets ?r\gh ) x1 or lose 8 life try+2 & d[n ! same4 ,! m anybody or any?+ tries to prev5t him1 ! m desp]ate & reckless he gr[s 9 8 ef=ts to accompli% 8 aim4 ,s if "o sees y & turns back />tl$ don't foll[ him1 b j cr\* d[n 9 a conv5i5t hid+ place & wait = him4 ,! *ances are n9ety to "o t he w soon be back aga94 ,i h kn[n trapp]s to h good success tak+ m9k ) a common box trap su* z is us$ 9 cat*+ rats ab\t ! h\se & b>n1 & ,i am incl9$ to ?9k t aside f its bulk9ess ?is is a pretty good sort ( trap4 ,"s use poison z = ! wolf1 b ! use ( ?is on animals 0 always repugnant to me4 ,p]haps ! que]e/ me?od ( :i* ,i ev] he>d 0 t m5tion$ by a g5tleman 9 ,ill9ois4 ,he claim$ to h caught m9k ) an ord9>y fi% hook1 bait$1 & atta*$ to a piece ( wire4 ,i d n believe1 h[ev]1 t any ( ! me?ods m5tion$ 9 ?is article are equal = effectiv5ess & true sport to ! regul> way ) /eel trap or deadfall4 ,"s ( !m1 x seems to me1 ,i c\ld n be induc$ to make use ( on any acc\nt4 ,& yet1 z already /at$1 "o might f9d himself 9 circum/ances t w\ld ju/ify _! adoption4 ,,*apt] ,,xii4 ,,ill9ois ,,trapp]',s ,,me?od4 ,i = "o w say t ! m9k is a v %y animal1 b ,i d claim he c be caught if y /udy him & set y\r trap 9 ! "r place4 ,i w suppose t y are trapp+ along a small /ream4 ,all y ne$ is pl5ty ( traps1 a belt ) a small hat*et atta*$1 a small calib] pi/ol1 & a pair ( hip rubb] boots4 ,a pair ( ^! boots are z necess>y 9 a trapp]'s outfit z ! ma9 spr+ is 9 ! wat* or clock4 ,be sure to h y\r traps 9 good work+ ord]4 ,oh yes1 ,i =got ! sc5t4 ,?is y c make y\rself by cutt+ up a c\ple ( cats & muskrats 9 f9e pieces & let !m rot good1 !n add "s fi% oil & f\r or five diff]5t k9ds ( oil t y c buy at a drug /ore4 ,to make ?is sc5t all ! bett] y _h bett] put 9 ab\t "o-half p\nd ( limburg] *eese4 ,n[ !n y got h] to smell+ j "r1 & e m9k t gets a :iff ( ?is p]fume w say1 oh joy1 & hike (f 9 ! o!r direction z fa/ z 8 legs c c>ry him4 ,i took a little bottle ( ?is great sc5t ) me once on a trapp+ trip4 ,i c>ri$ x 9 my coat pocket4 ,i 0 lean+ ov] "s roots sett+ a trap :5 ! cork came out ( ! bottle--well1 y "k ! re/4 ,i nev] ne$ to hunt = ?is coat :5 ,i want to put x on1 = x always makes itself kn[n4 ,y are n[ ready to set y\r traps4 ,y might take a c\ple ( dogs & sev]al small boys to help track up ! gr\nd4 ,?is ! m9k c see & smell1 & x makes !m easi] to cat*4 ,n[ !n ) y\r traps on y\r back1 get d[n into ! wat]1 & be c>eful :5 go+ 9 & out ( ! wat] & n make tracks 9 mud & on side ( bank4 ,! place to set y\r trap is on ! edge ( ! wat]4 ,walk along 9 ! wat] & exam9e e hole j ev5 ) ! wat]'s edge4 ,"s ( ! holes may come out sev]al in*es "u wat]4 ,set y\r trap "h 9 wat] #b #a_/b in*es deep1 turn spr+ to "r & cov] trap ) a muddy leaf1 fa/5 trap ) a /ick run ?r\gh r+1 & h *a9 /ret*$ out 9 deep wat] z f> z x w rea*4 ,y w see t y hav5't t\*$ a ?+ b y\r trap & /ake4 ,z = ! trap1 ! runn+ wat] w clean x ( any sc5t y may h left on by h&l+1 b ! /ake ,i spla% ) wat] & wa% a little4 ,if 9 sett+ ! trap y t\* or /ep on ! bank1 wa% out y\r tracks ) wat]4 ,n[ !n move on1 & if y come to a tree on ! bank t has lots ( roots j ev5 ) ! wat]1 exam9e x close1 = "h is a good place = a m9k d54 ,if y f9d a hole set y\r trap z be=e1 be+ c>eful to leave ?+s z !y 74 ,a place :]e ! bank guides ! m9k into ! wat] is a good set4 ,if y set a trap & h reason to ?9k t ! m9k w walk ar\nd x1 !n /ick up small /icks & little bu%es s z to make a f5ce to guide y\r m9k into ! trap4 ,a m9k is n afraid ( x1 = he sees bu%es 9 ! wat]1 & x w n sc>e him a bit4 ,! way j spok5 (1 ( /ick+ /icks across ! wat]1 is a v important way to cat* m9k1 & ,i advise all trapp]s to give x a little m ?\ght4 ,if y trap along a dit* or v small /ream j try x4 ,/ick y\r /icks across ! /ream j l a little f5ce1 leav+ ?ree gaps1 "o at ea* end & "o 9 ! middle4 ,set y\r ?ree traps 9 "h1 & ,i bet y w get ne>ly e m9k t goes up t /ream4 ,( c\rse1 /& 9 ! wat] :ile y are do+ all ( ?is1 & y\r success w be d\bly bett]4 ,:5 y put out a l9e ( traps :]e !re are m9k1 hide e trap z c>efully z y c4 ,suppose y set a trap uncov]$ at :at y suppose to be a muskrat hole1 y don't "k b :at "s m9k might come along1 & on ent]+ ! hole he sees ! trap--well1 x don't take him long to leave ! place4 ,!n boys1 ! v next hole t m9k goes into he w look = ano!r trap4 ,y don't ne$ to fool a m9k v (t5 until he becomes educat$1 & !n cat* him if y c4 ,illu/ration3 ,,trapp+ ,,d[n ,,/ream4 ,to cat* m9k successfully y mu/ h op5 wat]4 ,i v seldom set = m9k :5 wat] is all froz5 up4 ,did y ev] notice t y made y\r be/ cat* ( m9k on a sn[y or ra9y night8 ,n[1 :y is ?is8 ,x is because y\r tracks & sc5t 7 ei!r wa%$ out or cov]$ up by sn[4 ,a m9k is n a h>d animal to cat* if y h wat] & wea!r j "r1 & y are c>eful ab\t sett+ y\r trap4 ,b he is a v %y animal1 & boys if y are n c>eful to /udy 8 habits y w pay de> = e pelt y get4 ,,*apt] ,,xiii4 ,,exp]i5c$ ,,trapp]s' ,,ways4 ,at fir/ :5 ,i />t$ to trap ,i ?\ght ,i c\ld cat* m9k e "t1 says an ,i[a trapp]4 ,t 0 ?ree ye>s ago ?is la/ ,febru>y4 ,well ,i caught two m9k t spr+ & sev5 ! next w9t] & sixte5 ! next4 ,t 0 ! fir/ season t ,i 0 able to cat* e m9k t trots or lopes my way1 big1 little1 old & "y are treat$ all alike2 sometimes x takes a m9k ?ree or f\r days to come out ( a hole :5 y track him 94 ,a wat] set is a pretty good set = m9k b y _c f9d _m spr+s t y c set a trap 9 ! w9t] "t1 s ,i set dry sets = !m4 ,at a hole is a good place4 ,put a piece ( muskrat c>cass 9 ! hole to keep ! rabbits f go+ 9 & set a ,blake ,lamb trap 9 ! entrance4 ,*op a hole 9 ! froz5 gr\nd l>ge en\gh = ! trap & cov] x ) tissue pap] & ?9ly ) dry dirt4 ,be sure to put "s dry mat]ial ( "s sort "u ! trap to keep x f freez+ d[n1 h ! surface ( ! gr\nd level aft] x is cov]$ ov] ) dry dirt s y _c tell j exactly :]e ! trap is y\rself1 or 9 o!r words don't h a high place :]e ! trap is :5 x is cov]$ ov]4 ,fa/5 ! trap to a drag ( "s sort4 ,if y fa/5 to some?+ solid ! m9k w pull out if he is only caught by ! toes4 ,i caught two m9k "o w9t] t only _h ?ree legs4 ,!y 7 ! ones t pull$ out ( my traps because ,i _h ! trap fa/5$ too solid4 ,"o m9k ,i caught 0 only caught by "o toe & 0 ti$ to a little bru% drag2 :5 ,i track$ him up ,i f\nd t he _h gone ab\t t5 rods4 ,:5 ,i got 9 sight ( him he got /\t & pull$ out & />t$ (f at a pretty /iff gait1 & ,i _h to let ! dog cat* him = he 0 ge>$ up too high = me to cat*4 ,trapp]s1 h y n _h y\r m9k trap set & bait$ "u a %elv+ bank & se5 m9k tracks go+ up & d[n by ! bait & !y w\ld n t\* x8 ,get "s /icks & /ick !m f bank d[n into wat] t is five or six in*es deep1 is ! advice ( a ,ma9e trapp]4 ,leave a place = trap up next to bank :]e he travels & cov] nicely ) f9e rott5 wood1 & y w get m m9k sett+ ?is way ?an y w ) all ! bait y bo!r )1 t is1 if y pick out su* places along ! brook & /ick up /icks close en\gh s he _c get by )\t go+ ov] trap4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ea/]n ,,trapp] ,,& ,,traps4 ,i don't mean to say t bait isn't good1 because ,i h caught a good _m ) bait1 & !re are lots ( times :5 ,i c't f9d su* a place & ( c\rse use bait & sc5t4 ,"s say m9k are afraid ( human sc5t & set ! trap ) gloves1 & t !y are foxy & h>d to cat*4 ,i don't ?9k a m9k kn[s any m ?an a skunk1 & ,i c cat* !m j z easy4 ,la/ w9t] ,i w5t to my trap "o morn+ & f\nd two toes ( a m9k 9 "o & "o toe 9 ano!r1 & inside ( a week ,i _h bo? ( !m 9 ! same trap & 9 ! same place4 ,m9k are n v pl5tiful 9 "s places :i* makes "s p ?9k !y are h>d to cat*1 & o!rs don't "k h[ to set a trap "r = m9k4 ,! fir/ requisite 9 trapp+ m9k is wat]1 ei!r a lake or riv]1 says a ,m9nesota trapp]4 ,small /reams are to be pref]r$1 & ! swift] ! curr5t ! bett]4 ,:y8 ,because swiftly runn+ wat] does n freeze s quickly1 a fact e boy kn[s4 ,next1 select a spot on ! %ore :]e ! bank is /eep1 asc5d+ directly up f ! wat]1 & place y\r trap 7a ,no4 #a or #a #a_/b ( any good make7 9 ab\t two in*es ( wat] & ab\t six in*es f ! bank1 & fa/5 trap by driv+ a /ake full l5g? ( *a9 out 9 ! wat]4 ,_m trapp]s advocate ! use ( bo? bait & slid+ pole or spr+ pole1 b p]sonally ,i d n c>e = ei!r1 unless !re is dang] ( trap lift]s swip+ y\r game2 9 su* cases ! slid+ pole is ! be/1 z x is m humane & game is entirely conceal$4 ,if ! bank is n too high set y\r trap f ! top & place 9 position ) a /ick1 = by s do+ y d n make any muss ar\nd ! trap4 ,n[ let me caution "y trapp]s ab\t sett+ too _m traps = "o m9k4 ,"o trap well set is bett] ?an a doz5 j slung 9 or ev5 well set & c>efully conceal$4 ,x is n necess>y to h f\r or five traps )9 a radius ( six feet z "y trapp]s (t5 d4 ,i discov]$ a case ( ?is k9d once4 ,= two weeks once ,i 0 aft] a sly repres5tative ( ! m9k family b )\t success4 ,e trick 9 my comm& 0 tri$ )\t success1 b "o morn+ ,i det]m9$ to try = him up a small spr+ creek1 :]e he 0 9 ! habit ( go+4 ,i hesitat$ ab\t putt+ my traps on ?is creek4 ,i _h hesitat$ ab\t putt+ my traps on ?is creek z ! own] usually lift$ all traps f\nd !re4 ,z !re 0 no sn[ !re except small pat*es ,i 0 n aw>e ( ano!r trapp]'s "w on ?is brook1 b a few drops ( blood on a pat* ( sn[ caus$ me to op5 my eyes1 & ,i 0 n long 9 discov]+ 8 traps4 ,a bl9d man c\ld h done t = !y 7 lit]ally ?r[n 91 "s almo/ upside d[n & o!rs ) ! spr+ half out ( ! wat]4 ,i foll[$ 8 l9e = ab\t tw5ty rods1 & !n discov]$ ! place ( capture4 ,six traps 7 set 9 z _m holes1 & all 9 a radius ( five feet1 b !y _h done ! bus9ess4 ,0 ,i mad8 ,i %all leave x to ! read] to guess4 ,boys1 let me tell y ?is capture 0 an accid5t & n ! result ( skill4 ,i h endeavor$ to expla9 z simply z possible "o set = m9k1 b ?is me?od w n answ] all w9t]1 = all ! /reams w freeze dur+ extreme cold wea!r4 ,on ne>ly all lakes & riv]s spr+s c be f\nd1 & "h is ! place = y\r traps 9 cold wea!r4 ,common s5se w %[ y ! mo/ suitable spot = ! set4 ,all m9ks h a weakness = wad+ 9 su* spr+s1 & a trap c>efully plac$ & conceal$ w get a m9k if !re are any 9 ! vic9ity4 ,x 0 e>ly 9 ! fall ( #aija & ,i 0 work+ on ! f>m4 ,i "o day saw signs ( m9k "u a bridge ne> home s ,i _h a fri5d :o 0 work+ = u set two traps = him t day1 writes ano!r p>ty f ,m9nesota4 ,i set ! traps a few in*es "u wat]1 cov]$ !m ) wet leaves1 ?9k+1 ,i w h y tomorr[4 ,well1 ! next morn+ we came along b no m9k1 s 9 ! aft]noon we look$ at !m aga9 & ,mr4 ,m9k got 9 "o trap1 pull$ x 9 betwe5 two logs1 & ! o!r trap 0 sprung4 ,i !n pull$ on ! o!r *a9 & ! m9k 0 9 ! trap4 ,i pull$ & all at once 8 foot slipp$ out4 ,?is taught ,mr4 ,m9k a lesson4 ,i set my traps aga91 & aft] ?is he sprung traps ab\t z fa/ z ,i c\ld reset !m4 ,s ,i set six m traps & got "s t5 & twelve in*es "u wat]4 ,i us$ to reset ! traps be=e ,i w5t to d9n]1 & aft] d9n] he _h e "o sprung & ! wat] look$ v muddy4 ,i laid = him b nev] did see him4 ,i trapp$ = t m9k e ye> until #aijd4 ,i saw 8 tracks on ! sn[ s ,i got out "s sn[ sets & "o ,janu>y morn+ ,i f\nd him dead 9 ! trap4 ,he 0 a l>ge d>k m9k & _h lo/ all 8 toes by traps4 ,a good place to cat* m9k is at ! m\? ( a spr+4 ,get y\r traps well "u wat] & cov] up ) wet leaves1 z a m9k usually goes up su* a small /ream4 ,i w say to ! beg9n]1 nev] get *eap traps1 z !y are ! de>e/ 9 ! end4 ,nev] cat* fur until x is prime4 ,i f9d no difficulty 9 cat*+ m9k if !y are pl5ty1 b ?9 !m d[n to "o or two well educat$ animals & y\r task is diff]5t1 says an ,ohio trapp]4 ,:]e pl5ty ,i set 9 riffles1 build+ /one walls or /ak+ across n too high1 a foot is pl5ty1 leav+ "o or m op5+s1 accord+ to wid?4 ,place a trap 7,no4 #a or #a #a_/b ,ne:\se is be/7 9 ea* op5+4 ,i inv>iably /ake at su* places = if atta*$ to %unks1 bu%es or small logs1 ! trap is liable to float away 9 sudd5 ris+ ( high wat]4 ,place a trap at m\? ( tiles1 dit*es or dra9s1 /ak+ well out f trap4 ,illu/ration3 ,,b>ricade ,,set4 ,i h caught a great _m m9k along :]e ! ov]-hang+ sod _h curl$ d[n1 leav+ a space betwe5 sod & bank sometimes ( a good l5g?4 ,?is is a capital place to cat* m9k1 z e "o t goes up & d[n t side w almo/ always g ?r\gh4 ,all trapp]s "k m9k are v inquisitive ab\t su* places1 & if ! place is =m$ 9 summ] or e>ly fall !y w already h us$ x z a runway4 ,aft] f9d+ su* a place1 put a trap at "o or bo? ends ( hole4 ,set trap level & cov] well b n too deep1 & ,i am sure if !re are any m9k travel+ ! /ream y w /& a fair %[ ( gett+ !m4 ,i h caught two m9k at su* places1 "o 9 ea* trap 9 ! same night1 m ?an once4 ,an old holl[ log is also a good place = m9k ) a trap at ea* end4 ,y w notice :5 !re is a light %ift ( sn[ t m9k cross old logs1 limbs1 bo>ds & dams t are across /reams4 ,put y\r trap 9 ! c5t] ( cross+ place1 z y _c tell :]e he w get on or (f at4 ,always cov] traps :5 n sett+ 9 wat]4 ,old holl[ /umps1 trees1 op5+s 9 f5ces1 /one walls1 or flood-gates1 drifts & ! l are good places to set traps = m9k2 pa? op5+s 9 bru%1 9 fact any:]e y see signs ( _! travels1 z !y mo/ g5]ally h a r\te :i* !y foll[ m or less4 ,i h foll[$ !m across c\ntry f ! headwat]s ( "o /ream to ano!r1 to swamp & swales :]e ! muskrat ab\nds1 turn+ e hole inside out1 s to speak1 & !y seem to "k !m all4 ,= bait ,i use fi% oil1 y c get x almo/ any:]e & x is *eap & good1 ! old] ! bett]4 ,place a few drops on ! end ( a tile1 roots ( a tree or /one1 or 9 fact any:]e y h a trap b n on y\r trap4 ,i nev] put x on dead bait b j spr9kle x ar\nd4 ,a m9k likes to kill 8 own game4 ,make him ?9k !re is "s ar\nd & hunt = x1 :i* he surely w d if !re is no?+ b ! sc5t to f9d4 ,to be a successful m9k trapp] y mu/ /udy 8 trails & set y\r trap accord+ly4 ,mo/ me?ods t ,i read = trapp+ ! m9k are = trapp+ 9 ! nor? or f> nor?4 ,n[ "s ( !m are good1 :ile o!rs are useless "h4 ,f my obs]vation ( ! habits ( ! m9k 9 ,virg9ia1 ,i don't ?9k !y h any fix$ abode 79 trapp+ season any h[74 ,:]ev] is mo/ conv5i5t aft] a full meal or light ov]takes !m !y d5 up = ! day1 & ! next day may be snugly sleep+ "u ! roots ( a bl[n ov] tree or "u ! banks ( a creek five miles away4 ,! build+ ( b>ricades ( rocks1 old *unks or p5s ( /icks & bait )9 is "t & labor ?r[n away4 ,n[1 "y trapp]1 ,i am go+ to give y f\r ( my favorite sets = m9k1 t if y w foll[ w give y "s success1 if !re are any m9k :]e y are trapp+4 ,foll[ along dit*es & f9d :]e !y cross1 usually call$ secret dit*es1 :i* come into ! ma9 "o1 set y\r trap at ! entrance ( ! cov]$ "o a little "u wat]1 & cov] ) wat] soak$ leaves4 ,d n use bait b may use sc5t1 or a decoy4 ,"o may be fix$ by mak+ a box ab\t #f in*es squ>e1 #ab or #ah in*es long1 ( old bo>ds1 ) hoe plant 9 bank at desirable place s z to look natural4 ,set y\r trap 9 front4 ,ano!r is to get a piece ( holl[ log #c or #d feet long1 place 9 m\? ( dit* or bran* :]e x comes into creek1 an*or ) /akes or weigh d[n ) /ones1 close "o end1 place trap at o!r1 "u wat] if possible2 place bait 9 log4 ,?is is a sure set = coon4 ,x took me ne>ly half a day la/ ,septemb] to cut a log1 get x 9 bran* & weigh d[n ) /ones to keep high wat] f wa%+ away1 b caught f\r m9k & two coon at ! entrance4 ,ano!r is :]e banks are /eep along small /reams4 ,set trap 9 wat]1 cause any?+ t may come along to pass ov] trap by a r[ ( dead /icks1 we$s or a bun* ( old we$s4 ,i h also caught _m by plac+ two old logs five or six feet long1 f\r or five in*es ap>t 9 %all[ wat] ne> a /eep bank1 cov] ) a l>g] log4 ,if y h pl5ty ( traps y c set "o 9 ea* end4 ,d n use bait b c use sc5t4 ,be sure to se>* out all ! old holl[ logs ne> /reams & set trap 9 or ne> entrance--place bait 9 log4 ,by foll[+ ^! rules any "o1 :]e game is fairly pl5tiful1 c cat* "s m9k4 ,,*apt] ,,xiv4 ,,_m ,,good ,,me?ods4 ,la/ w9t] ,i knew ( at lea/ eight trapp]s :o 7 trapp+ = m9k along ! same /ream :]e ,i 0 trapp+1 & :ile all ( !m comb9$ caught f\r m9k1 ,i _h ! good luck ( cat*+ ?irte5 9 my traps & ,i %ot "o "o morn+1 mak+ f\rte5 9 all1 says an ,ohio trapp]4 ,i wond] h[ _m read]s h ev] he>d a m9k scream :5 9 a trap8 ,i ?9k x is ! mo/ blood-curdl+ hair-rais+ noise ,i h ev] he>d2 x is equal to ! scream ( a pan!r4 ,i _h great sport la/ w9t] by s5d+ "s "y boy trapp]s out to track a m9k to 8 d54 ,i told !m t all !y _h to d 0 to foll[ him to ! la/ hole he crawl$ into & !n set _! traps1 b aft] foll[+ him = ab\t ?ree miles !y came back disc\rag$ & disappo9t$4 ,!y said he _h gone into ab\t "o ?\s& holes1 b _h always come out aga91 & su* 0 a fact4 ,i don't "k h[ !y d 9 o!r p>ts ( ! c\ntry1 b "h x is next to impossible to track "o d[n2 x looks z if !y nev] /op4 ,i h foll[$ !m = six miles already & !y 7 /ill go+ on2 ,i don't believe t !y h any regul> d5 or hole aft] ! bre$+ season is ov]2 y j h to cat* !m on ! run4 ,"o ev5+ la/ fall ,i 0 sitt+ on ! creek bank fi%+ :5 a v l>ge m9k came up ! creek by me & he 0 a curiosity2 8 tail 0 j z :ite z sn[4 ,i tri$ awfully h>d to get hold ( him la/ w9t]1 b fail$4 ,i presume he nev] /opp$ until he rea*$ ! nor? pole4 ,i h two me?ods = trapp+ !m2 "o is to f9d a hole along "s /ream1 an old muskrat or wood*uck hole is be/4 ,if !re are no holes x is an easy matt] to make "o4 ,x is a well kn[n habit ( ! m9k to be crawl+ into e hole he comes to1 & ,i h kn[n !m to g "o hundr$ y>ds out ( _! pa?1 j = ! pleasure ( inve/igat+ an old wood*uck hole4 ,aft] f9d+ a suitable hole = sett+ y\r trap1 ?r[ a piece ( muskrat lib]ally dop$ ) equal p>ts ( oil ( pepp]m9t & sweet oil back 9 ! hole1 & set y\r trap at ! entrance2 use a little c>e 9 conceal+ ! trap & spr9kle a few drops ( ! above oil ov] ! trap1 & y may be sure ( hav+ ! pleasure ( sk9n+ ! fir/ m9k t comes along4 ,i h caught !m z f> z two miles f any /ream 9 my coon & fox traps1 s t goes to prove t !y d n /ay along ! /reams altoge!r4 ,ano!r me?od ,i use1 & ! "o ,i consid] ! be/1 is to g along ! banks ( "s /ream1 :]e y are sure t m9k are 9 ! habit ( travel+1 !n get f\r old bo>ds1 six or eight feet long & six in*es wide1 7if necess>y logs c be us$ in/ead ( bo>ds7 !n /ake !m d[n on _! edges s t !y w =m ! lett] ,x1 only in/ead ( cross+ !m leave a small op5+ ( ?ree or f\r in*es l ?is ,x = ! m9k to run ?r\gh1 !n set ! trap a few in*es ei!r way f ! c5t]1 or two traps c be set1 "o on ea* side ( ! c5t]4 ,!y w nev] jump ov] ! bo>ds1 b in/ead !y w guide !m ov] ! trap4 ,aft] an exp]i5ce ( #cd ye>s 9 trapp+ m9k ,i presume ,i c give a few po9ts1 writes ,mr4 ,moses ,bone1 ( ,i[a1 t may help y\ng] trapp]s :o wi% to trap m9k4 ,! m9k is v cunn+ & h>d to cat* 9 a /eel trap unless y "k h[ & :]e to set1 :i* is ab\t ! only secret !re is 9 cat*+ m9k4 ,i h _h p write to "k :at sc5t ,i us$ & h[ ,i set traps4 ,a man c le>n bett] me?ods z long z he traps--exp]i5ce is ! be/ tea*]--& unless he is will+ to "w h>d he w nev] make a successful trapp] ( any k9d ( game4 ,a trapp] simply wants to %\ld] 8 traps e>ly 9 ! morn+ & travel t51 tw5ty & p]haps ?irty miles a day2 he mu/ foot x1 = no o!r me?od ( travel+ w d4 ,! writ] has done x _m times1 />t+ be=e daylight & n gett+ home until aft] d>k4 ,z be=e /at$1 my exp]i5ce z a m9k trapp] began #cd ye>s ago1 my bro!r & ,i trapp+ toge!r1 & we began putt+ out our traps ! fir/ week 9 ,novemb]1 #ahfg4 ,!re 7 v few trapp]s !n & m9k 7 pl5tiful4 ,9 f\r weeks we caught #aja m9k & #ej muskrats4 ,! m9k 7 mo/ly 9 prime condition & br\ght #cjj4jj4 ,rats at ?is "t 7 wor? #be c5ts ea*4 ,at ! beg9n+ ( ! trapp+ season my bro!r 9 "o night caught #ae m9k1 ! l>ge/ cat* ,i ev] knew4 ,9 #ahgc ,i caught #aj m9k 9 "o night1 b x took two days to visit my traps1 walk+ #fj miles4 ,9 #ahgh ,i caught #ae m9k 9 "o hole :]e ! wat] ran all w9t]1 & ,i nev] _h to bait ! trap z ! sc5t 0 en\gh to attract e m9k com+ ne>4 ,9 ! pa/ ?ree ye>s ,i h caught #ij m9k )9 a mile ( home4 ,sev]al ye>s ago ,i caught #h 9 "o place4 ,i use /eel traps1 n s _m z ,i us$ to1 z trapp]s are num]\s n[adays4 ,wat] set 0 always my favorite way ( cat*+ m9k1 sett+ ab\t two in*es "u wat]1 9 a spr+1 dit* or :]e ! wat] ran swift1 o!rwise ! wat] w freeze ov]4 ,( c\rse :5 v cold wea!r comes1 dry l& sets mu/ be resort$ to4 ,i always use ,no4 #a /eel traps4 ,no4 #a #a_/b is bett] = skunk or coon4 ,= bait use *ick51 rabbit1 or /ill bett]1 muskrat1 b !y mu/ be /rictly fre%4 ,9 ord] to make m9k trapp+ int]e/+ "o mu/ make x pay1 & :]e !re are pl5ty ( ! animals ! sci5tific trapp] c make x pay1 = !y are ab\t z easily caught z any o!r game :5 y und]/& y\r bus9ess4 ,m9k fur is n good & prime be=e ! middle ( ,novemb] 9 ,i[a & /ates 9 same latitude1 & x is useless to cat* !m e>li]4 ,:5 y see signs ( ! m9k set y\r trap z ne> z y c get to a spr+1 dit* or runn+ wat] ) a /eep bank a foot or m high4 ,"h dig a hole 9 ! bank #f or #h in*es inw>d & l[ en\gh to let ! wat] fl[ 94 ,n[ get a =k$ /ick1 cut (f "o =k say an in* long1 leav+ ! o!r #f or #h in*es long4 ,%>p5 ! end ( ! long =k & run x ?r\gh y\r bait 7rememb] bait mu/ be fre%7 up to ! =k4 ,! bait is n[ fa/5$ on ! /ick & run x 9 ! bank back 9 ! hole z f> z y c4 ,if any m9k comes along !y w f9d x4 ,set y\r trap ne> entrance1 b always 9 ! curr5t4 ,take we$s or /icks1 say a foot long1 /ick !m 9 ! mud1 mak+ a lane s ! m9k mu/ pass ov] ! trap 9 ord] to get ! bait4 ,if y wi% a good sc5t to draw m9k 9 ! spr+ ( ! ye>1 collect ! sc5t bags ( ! muskrat & pres]ve !m 9 alcohol1 to :i* is add$ #e c5ts wor? ( oil ( cum9 if y l4 ,i disc>d$ all sc5ts1 h[ev]1 #cj ye>s ago1 f9d+ no?+ bett] ?an fre% bait1 ! m bloody ! bett]4 ,! m9k has a good smell]4 ,= dry l& set ,i g on ! same pr9ciples1 b cov] traps ) leaves1 grass or f9e rubbi%4 ,?is me?od is v successful = m9k1 & 9 fact = almo/ any fur be>+ animal t travels up & d[n a creek1 says an ,ill9ois trapp]4 ,! fir/ ?+ to d is to set y\r trap ne> ! %ore s x w be ab\t two in*es "u wat]4 ,/ake ! trap or fa/5 x to a drag1 j z y l4 ,! trap %\ld be a ,no4 #a #a_/b or y c set two or ?ree ,no4 #a traps toge!r4 ,n[ aft] ! trap is set1 get "s we$s or bru% & beg9 at ! trap & make a ,v %ap$ p51 leav+ an op5+ :]e ! trap is ab\t t5 in*es wide if y are trapp+ = coon4 ,! bru% or we$s1 :i*ev] is us$1 %\ld ext5d sev]al feet f ! trap 9 ei!r direction4 ,aft] y are ?r\gh x %\ld be l illu/ration ,no4 #a4 ,?is1 we w suppose1 is = cat*+ animals com+ d[n ! creek4 ,n[ g d[n ! creek a few rods & set ano!r trap1 b h ! n>r[ op5+ ( ! p5 po9t+ up ! creek1 z 9 ! illu/ration ,no4 #b1 :i* w cat* an animal travel+ up ! creek4 ,if ^! p5s are made "r1 !n a m9k w walk into ! p5s & ?r\gh ! op5+ n9e times out ( t5 in/ead ( walk+ ar\nd !m4 ,try ?is me?od once & be conv9c$4 ,^! p5s %\ld be ab\t a foot high4 ,illu/ration3 ,,nor?we/ ,,trapp] ,,& ,,m9k4 ,if bru% is us$ x %\ld be f9e s x w lie close toge!r s a m9k _c pass ?r\gh4 ,if !re is dang] ( ! creek wa%+ ! bru% away1 !n fa/5 x by driv+ a few small /akes 9 ! gr\nd to hold x4 ,rememb] t no bait or sc5t %\ld be us$4 ,if footpr9ts are left on ! gr\nd1 !n spla% wat] on !m4 ,rememb] t half ( ! p5 is on ! %ore & ! o!r half is 9 ! creek1 provid+ ! creek is a wide "o2 ?is dep5ds on ! wid? ( ! creek4 ,x is a good idea to trap on bo? sides ( a creek2 "o is sure !n ( cat*+ an animal :e!r x goes d[n on "o side or ! o!r4 ,?is is ! only me?od ,i use & x has prov5 to be successful4 ,if a m9k is hungry & f9ds bait t has be5 left = him he w pay no att5tion to human sc5t1 :ile if he is n hungry he w n take ! bait be x ev] s fre%4 ,a m9k w sometimes make a trail 9 ! fre% sn[ by pass+ sev]al times ov] ! same r\te & !n nev] use t trail aga94 ,i h kn[n ott] to d ! same4 ,i caught two m9k la/ w9t] 9 a dit*1 sett+ trap 9 ! wat]4 ,! fir/ night ,i caught a m$ium siz$ m9k & ! ?ird night ,i caught a small "o1 & w\ld h caught e m9k t w5t up t dit* if x _h n froz5 up & sn[$ s dur+ ! "t t ,i c\ld n keep ! traps prop]ly set4 ,if a p]son sets out a l9e ( traps 9 ?is c\ntry1 ,i[a1 :ile !re is sn[ on ! gr\nd1 he is simply go+ to a great deal ( tr\ble to give !m to "s "o4 ,9 trapp+ m9k ,i wat* = signs1 & :5 ,i locate a m9k ,i consid] x m9e & x g5]ally is1 :ile if y bait up a trap some:]e t y may ?9k is a good place to cat* a m9k1 x (t5 happ5s t y may make a good _m trips to y\r trap be=e y get a m9k1 & y may say to y\rself t x is human sc5t t keeps !m away1 :5 p]haps !re has n be5 a m9k ne> ! trap4 ,my advice to "y trapp]s is n to set :]e a m9k may g b set x :]e y "k he is go+1 & y w f9d x no trick to cat* m9k4 ,i h _m diff]5t ways ( trapp+ ! m9k1 says a ,p5nsylvania trapp]1 z ,i set my traps only :]e ,i see _! signs1 & z ! signs are (t5 diff]5t1 & f\nd 9 diff]5t k9ds ( places1 "o way is n en\gh4 ,i use ,blake ,lamb ,no4 #a traps mo/ly = m9k4 ,i nev] /ake a trap d[n except 9 wat] set4 ,on dry l& ,i fa/5 to a bru% clog4 ,if "o sets only :]e he sees ! signs1 & only sets "o or two traps = ea* m9k1 f "o to two doz5 traps are all t are requir$4 ,9 fall & e>ly w9t] ,i set my traps is natural enclosures 9 old drifts1 9 holl[ logs1 "u roots ( trees1 etc41 bait+ ) fre% muskrat1 fi%1 rabbit1 *ick51 mice or birds1 us+ fi% oil or muskrat musk = sc5t4 ,i d n believe 9 us+ mix$ sc5ts4 ,9 late w9t] & e>ly spr+ ,i set traps 9 ! same k9d ( places b )\t bait1 us+ ! musk ( m9k = sc5t4 ,! m9k is n look+ = food !n1 & su* sc5ts z fi%-oil & muskrat musk are n z good z ! musk ( ! m9k itself4 ,! traps %\ld always be cov]$ ) "s light sub/ance1 :i* w n look out ( place4 ,nev] smoke y\r traps1 boil !m 9 walnut hulls1 maple b>k or sweet f]n4 ,m9k may also be caught by ty+ a rabbit 9 a %unk ( a holl[ log1 block+ "o end %ut & sett+ 8 trap 9 ! o!r end4 ,:5 /reams are op5 ! %ye/ m9k may be caught by putt+ sev]al small live fi% on a /r+ & /ret*+ ! /r+ 9 a ,v %ap$ enclosure1 9 %all[ wat]1 sett+ ! trap at ! op5 end4 ,m9k are easily caught by sett+ ! trap at ! foot ( a /eep bank :i* !y use4 ,if ! trap is prop]ly set1 ! bank w guide ! m9k into ! trap4 ,!re are _m o!r ways ( trapp+ ! m9k1 :]e ! signs are diff]5t1 & f\nd 9 diff]5t places4 ,an exp]i5c$ trapp] c trace a m9k = miles1 :]e ano!r p]son w\ld n see a sign4 ,a trapp] mu/ be able to read signs z he w\ld read a book4 ,z to human sc5t1 t is all nons5se4 ,! sc5t w n hang to ! trap or bait m ?an a c\ple ( h\rs4 ,i f9d a /ream :]e m9k frequ5t1 look = tracks ei!r 9 or out ( wat]1 close to edge1 h[ev]1 says an ,arkansas trapp]4 ,n[ don't set y\r trap on a track ?9k+ y w get a m9k1 b look = a slide2 m9k h a slide same z ott]2 don't set on slide b g above slide along bank :]e wat] is n ov] f\r in*es deep4 ,set a ,no4 #a or #a #a_/b trap1 cov] spr+1 don't di/urb bank b j lay a small pole1 atta* y\r trap *a9 to ?is1 cov] trap & *a9 ) old wet leaves4 ,don't take y\r h&s1 get a /ick & rake ! leaves ov] x1 & d n let any "o cause y to ?9k t m9k are n afraid ( human sc5t4 ,be sure to cr[d y\r trap aga9/ bank z a m9k travels close to ! bank4 ,?is is "o way4 ,ano!r is1 f9d a tree t has ! e>? wa%$ away f ! roots to ! wat]1 x be+ "r aga9/ ! bank1 look 9 ! %all[ wat] ar\nd roots = m9k tracks1 if any1 set trap4 ,aga9 cr[d bank ) trap & y may expect m9k f "u t tree4 ,ano!r way is 9 look+ along ! bank ( /ream y w notice small holes /raight back 9 bank j "u wat]1 ext5d+ back p]haps #d or #f in*es2 a m9k did x4 ,look a little fur!r & y w see a hole ext5d+ back 9 bank4 ,x may be #f or #h in*es across1 ext5d+ back to #d to #h in*es4 ,e "t a m9k travels ?is /ream he visits ^! holes4 ,he dug !m to get crabs & small fi% to b$ 9 !m4 ,he cat*es !m on 8 r\nds4 ,n[ set a trap at m\? ( hole & y c get a m9k4 ,illu/ration3 ,,nor!rn ,,m9k ,,trapp]',s ,,%anty4 ,i h us$ bait4 ,:5 ,i d ,i pref] r$ bird or woodpeck]4 ,fix y\r bait always s m9k _c get at x )\t cross+ or gett+ ov] trap4 ,i believe ?is is suffici5t1 h[ev]1 an old trapp] or an exp]i5c$ "o ne$s no po9t]s1 he w get ! game4 ,two ye>s ago la/ fall ,i _h a l9e ( traps consi/+ ( a few fox traps & ! re/ m9k traps1 ab\t fifte5 9 all1 says a ,ma9e trapp]4 ,my p>tn]1 ,dan1 0 a v "y trapp]1 hav+ caught only a few m9k & skunk4 ,i w\ld r h trapp$ alone1 b z ,i 0 j />t+ 9 ,i ?\ght ,i w\ld r h "s "o ) me t knew a little m ab\t x4 ,s "o ,novemb] morn+ we />t$ out all agl[ & pu%$ on by ! cool morn+ air we set ! above nam$ traps & return$ home v tir$ & we>y1 b ! ?\ght ( br++ back a fox or a nice m9k ! next day gave me m life1 & ,i retir$ happy en\gh = my day's "w4 ,! next morn+ we 7 up e>ly & made our r\nds1 b to our great disappo9tm5t we f\nd t we _h only a skunk & a /rip$ "o at t1 b we didn't lose he>t at t b kept "r on1 n[ & !n *ang+ a trap or two4 ,at la/ "o morn+ my p>tn] said to me1 ,i ?9k ,i h f\nd out :at ! tr\ble is ) our trapp+4 ,t's good1 ,i said1 tell me ab\t x4 ,well1 w5t on ,dan1 y see all ! traps we've got set on t brook are along ! banks4 ,well n[ ! /ream is all froz5 ov] tight s t no?+ c get into ! brook f ! outside1 s ,i don't see :y a m9k com+1 up t brook "u ! ice--= "u ! ice !y mu/ come or we w\ld see _! tracks some:]e along ! bank--c smell ! bait on ! outside1 s :at ,i ?9k be/ is ?is3 ,take an axe & cut a long hole ab\t #h in*es wide cle> across ! brook4 ,n[ get "s /icks ab\t #c or #d feet long1 x all dep5ds on ! dep? ( ! wat]1 & drive !m into ! mud1 beg9n+ at "o side ( ! brook4 ,n[ drive until y get to ! middle ( ! brook1 !n d ! same on ! o!r side1 leav+ a place ab\t ! wid? ( ! trap 9 ! middle4 ,c>e mu/ be tak5 to get /icks ne> en\gh toge!r s he c't get ?r\gh only j at ! middle4 ,n[ if ! wat] is v deep s he c't get ?r\gh only j at ! middle1 we c build up until ab\t to ! surface or say #d in*es f ! surface4 ,n[ set y\r trap on ! ?+ y h built up1 & j betwe5 ! po/s1 & ,i ?9k y w h him4 ,?is advice 0 act$ ^u at once & ! next morn+ we _h a f9e m9k measur+ ab\t #bh in*es4 ,! next morn+ we _h ano!r & 9 a few morn+s ano!r1 & s on until we _h caught j n9e m9k f t place4 ,"s trapp]s say x is h>d to cat* m9k1 o!rs say t !y are z easy to cat* z muskrats4 ,n[ :i* is "r8 ,i believe "h 9 ,wa%+ton t :]e !re are lots ( quail1 rabbits & o!r wild f[l t ! m9k is h>d] to cat* ) dead bait t he w\ld be if game 0 m sc>ce4 ,b t ought n to int]f]e ) ! m9k be+ h>d to cat*4 ,:5 he c get a w>m meal he w\ld be a fool to take cold & sometimes /ale meat4 ,i w tell y ! way ,i cat* !m :5 !y refuse dead bait4 ,fir/ see t !re are no brok5 l9ks 9 y\r trap & t ! jaws close toge!r good1 = _m trapp]s nev] look to ?is & !reby lose a valuable pelt1 & wor/ ( all x tea*es ! m9k to be m c>eful next "t4 ,n[ t y h y\r traps 9 ord]1 g to "s small /ream :]e y see fre% m9k tracks4 ,g up until y f9d !re is a log across ! creek1 & n9e "t out ( t5 y w see :]e ! m9k g "u ! log1 & n[ !re is ! place to nab him4 ,fir/ block up all space "u ! log s z to =ce ! m9k into ! wat]1 /ones1 /ick or any?+ h&y is good to /op _! runway4 ,n[ set y\r trap 9 ab\t two in*es ( wat]4 ,if x is too deep %ovel 9 "s dirt & if too %all[ dig a tr5*4 ,!n fa/5 y\r *a9 to a slid+ pole & y\r set is complete4 ,spla% "s wat] on ! gr\nd :]e y h /ood & y h a good set t w cat* m9k4 ,"s say t m9k are afraid ( iron4 ,well 9 "s cases !y are1 b 9 o!rs !y are n4 ,= in/ance a m9k goes out 9 se>* ( food & comes to a wire f5ce or a railroad track4 ,i d n ?9k he w %y ( t = he is us$ to ! smell ( iron & ru/ at t place4 ,b jam an old ru/y trap 9 8 d5 & n cov] x or set a ru/y trap "u old rott5 bait4 ,i don't ?9k any m9k w get caught !re4 ,i cat* z _m m9k ) bait z )\t x1 b :5 ,i bait ,i bait ) /rictly fre% bait4 ,muskrat1 quail1 rabbits & fi% are all good baits4 ,:5 ,i bait ) muskrat ,i use ! gl&s = sc5t & fi% oil :5 ) fi%4 ,b h ! traps free f ru/ 9 all cases4 ,g along a /ream :]e ! m9k frequ5ts & look = holes 9 ! bank1 mo/ ( :i* are made by ! muskrat1 & set ! trap j on ! outside squ>ely 9 front ( x1 says an ,i[a trapp]1 ,nev] set inside ! hole4 ,n[ ! reason = ?is is t ! m9k w v (t5 j take a peep 9 & !n g on1 9 :i* case if ! trap 0 set inside y w\ld fail to get him4 ,:5 if x 7 on ! outside y w\ld /& a *ance4 ,!n turn ! spr+ to "o side & set ! trap s ! m9k w /ep betwe5 ! jaws & n ov] "o1 = 9 /epp+ ov] !m ! jaw /rikes ! foot & ?r[s x upw>ds1 cat*+ by ! end ( ! toe or fail+ to cat* at all4 ,cov] trap lightly & c>efully1 be+ c>eful n to get any?+ on ! jaws to h9d] !m f clos+ on ! foot4 ,ano!r good set is at ! root ( a tree :i* has a small hole 9 x4 ,set ! trap ! same z at ! hole 9 ! bank4 ,/ill ano!r is :]e ! muskrats got an op5+ ?r\gh ! ice or froz5 bank4 ,mr4 ,m9k is always look+ = su* places & is v easily caught at !m4 ,i caught six m9k 9 "o week at a place ( ?is k9d la/ w9t]1 & w\ld h caught /ill m if ! wat] hadn't spoil$ ! place4 ,a good way to kill a m9k is to /rike him on ! end ( ! nose & /ove t[>ds ! eyes4 ,?is w kill !m quick] ?an p\nd+ _! heads into a mu%1 & !n ! head is easily sk9n$4 ,9 reg>d to m9k be+ afraid ( human sc5t1 t is all nons5se1 says a ,ma9e trapp]4 ,!y are no m afraid ( human sc5t ?an a skunk1 & e trapp] kn[s t a skunk is n4 ,n[ ! way ,i cat* m9k mo/ly is 9 dit*es & spr+s & runs at ! head ( m>%es & ar\nd riv]s & tr\t brooks4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,few ,,days ,,cat*4 ,f9d a dit* & pick out a n>r[ place & :]e ! bank is q /eep on ea* side1 s t :5 a m9k goes up & d[n he w h to walk on ! bottom ( ! dit*4 ,n[ get "s dry /icks & beg9 on ea* side & /op up ! dit* all b 9 ! c5t]1 ! bigness ( a ,blake ,lamb trap1 h ! /icks t5 in*es high & put !m v close toge!r1 because a m9k w g ?r\gh a v small place4 ,scoop out a holl[ :]e ! trap sets & be sure to set ! trap ) spr+ po9t+ /raight up or d[n ! dit*1 because if x sets crossways & he /eps on edge ( pan1 ! jaw w knock ! foot out ( ! trap4 ,n[ don't =get ab\t sett+ ! trap "r & be sure to /op e little place s he w h to g ov] ! trap4 ,d a good job & y are sure ( y\r m9k4 ,y don't h to h any bait :5 y set ?is way4 ,always keep y\r eyes op51 look into e hole & dit*1 & :5 y see m9k tracks 9 a place t is ! place to put y\r traps4 ,i nev] fail to get !m :5 ,i f9d signs ( !m4 ,= ! b5efit ( ^? :o hav5't a m>% or dit* ?is is ano!r way t ,i use1 & "k x to be all "r4 ,g along ! brook & f9d ! roots ( an old tree 9 "u ! bank4 ,build a coop ) /icks1 b>k or rocks1 cov] x ov] ) /uff to make x tight4 ,make x eight in*es long & wide en\gh s a trap w fill ! entrance4 ,rememb] ab\t ! spr+ po9t+ 9 or /raight out4 ,holl[ out a place = trap1 & cov] trap1 *a9 & all1 ) f9e dry grass or leaves1 & h ! trap set level ) ! e>?4 ,n[ = ! bait1 %oot a r$ squirrel & cut him op5 f "o end to ! o!r & hang him up 9 back end ( coop1 & y w get !m if !re are any ar\nd !re4 ,i h us$ all k9ds ( bait includ+ muskrats1 fi%1 birds & *ick5 heads1 b f9d squirrel to be ! be/4 ,i h caught m m9k ) ?is bait ?an all ! o!rs put toge!r4 ,9 sett+ traps = any animal be sure to set y\r trap z ne> z possible :]e !y are 9 ! habit ( travel+4 ,"s set d[n any:]e & ?9k !y ought to cat* ev]y?+ t comes along4 ,y c read lots ( ways ( trapp+ b y c't le>n x all4 ,exp]i5ce & practice is :at tea*es any "o to be a successful trapp]1 & :5 y le>n any?+ y\rself y "k x to be a fact4 ,a m9k1 l a man1 pref]s dry foot+ :5 travel+ up /ream1 says a ,wiscons9 trapp]1 & w always run along on an old log if !y c1 9 muddy places or across small bays along ! bank ( a /ream4 ,f9d a place :]e a m9k makes small det\rs ar\nd s(t places & lay a *unk ( log ab\t #f in*es 9 diamet] across ! place4 ,put a trap on ! end ( x4 ,arrange x s he w h to make a long jump on ! up /ream end to rea* h>d foot+4 ,he w naturally put 8 feet z ne> to ! end ( ! log z he c s z to make ! jump1 & y w h him4 ,use no bait or sc5t & leave no signs ( y\r pres5ce4 ,make ! place look natural4 ,x 0 :ile runn+ a l9e ( traps up ,de] ,creek la/ ,novemb] t m9k got to di/urb+ my muskrat sets1 says an ,indiana trapp]4 ,mr4 ,m9k w\ld wait until ! muskrat dr[n$1 !n he w\ld spoil ! pelt4 ,z usual1 he got 9 8 "w ra9y nights4 ,"o morn+ ,i f\nd a rat pretty badly torn & ,i began s*em+ at once to cat* ! sly *ap4 ,i obs]v$ a %all[ s& b> out 9 ! middle ( ! creek1 j 9 front ( my set1 s ,i laid my plans at once4 ,i cut out a piece ( sod "o-half foot squ>e1 plac$ x on ! s& b>2 ?is made ! wat] ov] ! sod two in*es deep4 ,i n[ took ! muskrat & plac$ him 9 ! c5t] ( ! piece ( sod1 putt+ 8 head "u ! wat] s he w\ld n appe> dang]\s1 z a m9k is afraid ( a l>ge muskrat4 ,i fix$ him s t "o half 0 "u wat] & ! o!r half above4 ,i left ! fur on1 y und]/&1 s z to make x appe> m natural4 ,i n[ took f\r ,ne:\se ,no4 #a traps & plac$ "o on ea* side ( ! rat1 /ak$ out 9 deep wat]1 full l5g? ( *a91 s any?+ caught 9 "o trap w\ld n di/urb ! o!rs4 ,i cov]$ ! traps well ) wat] soak$ leaves1 ! grass on ! sod help+ to cov] traps "s4 ,y w obs]ve t ! traps are well conceal$1 be+ two in*es "u wat]4 ,x is well to drive /akes out ( sight "u ! wat] also4 ,! next morn+ ! set 0 n di/urb$1 b ! foll[+ morn+1 x hav+ ra9$ "s t night1 ,i expect$ some?+ 0 do+1 & ,i 0 n disappo9t$1 = on approa*+ ! set ,i saw di/9ctly outl9$ b5ea? ! wat] ! d>k =ms ( a m9k & ano!r muskrat1 caught 9 two ( ! traps4 ,"o m9k ,i caught by plac+ an old rott5 piece ( wood on ea* side ( a muskrat slide1 close to ! wat]4 ,i !n cov]$ x ov] ) ! same mat]ial1 leav+ an op5+ at ea* end2 !n ,i plac$ a ,no4 #a ,ne:\se trap "u ! wat] at ! m\? ( ! tunnel4 ,mr4 ,m9k simply _h to g ?r\gh ?is runway1 & ( c\rse 0 caught & dr[n$4 ,,*apt] ,,xv4 ,,salt ,,set4 ,a good _m trapp]s1 bo? amateur & pr(essional1 speak ( m9k be+ h>d to cat*4 ,i c't see x t way1 says a ,p5nsylvania trapp]4 ,really !y are z easy z ! wat] vole or skunk ) me4 ,i simply set all my traps b>e1 no cov]+ :atev]1 y clog y\r trap :5 sprung4 ,i lo/ a good _m by s do+1 s n[ ,i set b>e at all times = bo? skunk & m9k1 & ,i get my %>e ( !m4 ,i use bo? bait & bl9d set2 wat] set ,i ?9k is ! be/1 t is1 9 bitt] cold wea!r :5 ! ice is ?ick4 ,my way ( mak+1 ,i call x ! ice set1 is to take a piece ( oil clo? or an old buggy top cov] w d1 & put ab\t five p\nds ( salt 9 same & sew up2 h x ab\t two in*es ?ick4 ,don't make x too solid1 leave x loose en\gh s y c "w ! mo/ ( ! salt ar\nd ! edges to b$ trap 94 ,n[ puncture ) ne$le to let fumes ( salt ?r\gh2 cut a hole ?r\gh ! ice at ! edge ( ! wat]1 scrape out hole to b$ salt 92 b fir/ put a /one 9 ! hole1 & bottom & side x up ) /one to keep ! mud f clogg+ ! ne$le holes4 ,n[ y w wond] :at ! salt is =2 simply to keep ! ice f freez+ ! hole %ut4 ,i _h n9e ( t k9d ( sets set la/ w9t] & trapp$ sev5 m9k4 ,! hole w nev] freeze %ut4 ,always set trap "u wat]4 ,la/ w9t] ,i compla9$ to my bett] half t ,i _h bett] take my traps out ( ! run :]e ,i trap1 z ,i c\ldn't make a wat] set because my traps froze ov] night4 ,%e said1 :y don't y put salt ar\nd y\r traps8 ,t put me to ?9k+ s ,i got an old piece ( oil clo? & got h] to make f\r = me on ! sew+ ma*9e2 ,i put a five p\nd sack ( salt 9 ea* "o4 ,! be/ place to set is on ! inside ( a curve4 ,9 slack wat] y w h to keep mov+ y\r set z ! wat] rises & falls4 ,und\bt$ly t is ! be/ cold wat] set ,i h ev] tri$1 & x has be5 a complete success ) me4 ,i use ! cubby set = m9k4 ,be=e sev]e wea!r sets 9 ,i take two bo>ds six or eight feet long1 lean !m aga9/ ea* o!r ,v %ape1 put wat] vole c>cass 7rabbit1 *ick5 or fi% is also good7 9 c5t] & a trap at ea* end1 ab\t "o foot f end4 ,i also h ! holl[ log set4 ,x is on ! same pr9ciple z ! cubby set4 ,a cubby is easily built4 ,y c make !m out ( /one if y c't get bo>ds4 ,,*apt] ,,xvi4 ,,log ,,& ,,o!r ,,sets4 ,my advice to all "y trapp]s is1 /udy ! nature & habits ( y\r game & y w be successful 9 tak+ all k9ds ( fur be>+ animals4 ,"h is "o ( my me?ods1 writes a trapp]1 ( tak+ m9k ar\nd swamps & lakes :]e !re are %all[ spr+s t nev] freeze up4 ,! bait h\se3 ,?is %\ld be built 9 ab\t two in*es ( wat]1 z foll[s3 ,get "s /icks ab\t "o foot & a half long & drive "o end 9 ! mud 9 ! %ape ( a horse %oe1 ) ! tops lean$ toge!r & a door left 9 "o side ab\t ?ree in*es wide4 ,! p5 %\ld be a foot wide4 ,n[ get "s moss1 grass or we$s 7! moss f an old rat h\se is be/7 & cov] ov] well4 ,lay a *ip or *unk ( wood back ( ! h\se & place a piece ( fre% muskrat on x4 ,set ! trap "u wat] on ! door ) spr+ po9t+ to "o side4 ,if !re is deep wat] ne> by ! dr[n+ wire is ! be/ way to fa/5 traps1 & if wat] is %all[ fa/5 ! trap to a long /one ( ab\t eight or t5 p\nds weight & place back z f> z ! *a9 w rea* f ! h\se4 ,!re are c]ta9 spr+s ar\nd all lakes & swamps t a m9k w visit e "t t he comes t way1 & if a h\se is made at ^! spr+s & kept bait$ e m9k c be caught4 ,! bait hole3 ,?is is a good me?od to use along creeks & riv]s be=e ! wat] freezes ov] 9 ! fall4 ,f9d a /eep bank a foot or m high ne> ! wat] & dig a hole back 9 a foot deep & ab\t eight in*es high & level ) ! wat]4 ,scoop ! dirt out 9 front ( ! hole ab\t two feet wide & two in*es "u ! wat]2 b don't get ! hole s l[ z to let ! wat] back 94 ,let ! wat] come up to ! m\? ( ! hole & set a ,no4 #a /eel trap squ>e 9 front ( ! entrance ) ! spr+ po9t+ away1 & fa/5 s ! m9k w dr[n4 ,! log set3 ,f9d :]e an old log lies 9 ! wat]1 /ick *unks ( wood 9 "u ! log on ! bank s ! m9k w h to pass ar\nd 9 ! wat] "u ! log4 ,set trap1 a ,no4 #a1 9 an in* ( wat] squ>e "u ! log & /ake out 9 deep wat] z f> z possible4 ,if a little bait is spr9kl$ on ea* side ( ! log x w ha/5 ! capture ( ! m9k4 ,illu/ration3 ,,?ree ,,log ,,set4 ,! dit* set3 ,e>ly 9 ! season ! m9k are great rov]s & explore e dit*1 hole or holl[ log ne> ! /ream1 & a trap set 9 ! dit* 9 %all[ wat] w (t5 get "o4 ,if ! dit* is too wide1 drive a r[ ( /icks across & leave an op5+ = ! trap4 ,set ! trap 9 ! op5+ & fa/5 x back z f> z possible4 ,! dry log set3 ,m9k h a habit ( pass+ ?r\gh e holl[ log t lies ne> ! /ream & if "o c be f\nd l ?is x is a good place to cat* !m all w9t]4 ,put "s bait back 9 ! log & set y\r trap 9 ! entrance4 ,cov] ! trap & *a9 ) p[d]$ rott5 wood1 spr9kle x all ar\nd ne> ! trap1 & fa/5 to a drag or small pole4 ,^! five ways are ! only me?ods ,i use4 ,sometimes ,i set a trap = a few nights :]e a m9k travels ar\nd a small bog betwe5 ! bog & ! bank1 & v (t5 get "o 9 ^! places4 ,9 sett+ = m9k on l& ,i g ab\t x 9 ?is way3 ,fir/1 ,i prep>e my traps by boil+ 9 hemlock b\ghs4 ,be=e sett+ my trap ,i dig up ! gr\nd ) a trap hook4 ,dig a place two feet across & set ! trap 9 ! middle & cov] lightly ) f9e leaves1 putt+ "s "u ! trap to keep x f freez+ to ! gr\nd4 ,don't be afraid to dig up ! gr\nd ?or\ghly1 z a m9k w always /op & inve/igate su* a place4 ,h y\r hook long en\gh s y w n h to walk on ! new gr\nd4 ,fa/5 y\r trap to a spr+y bu% or bru%-drag4 ,aft] ! gr\nd freezes y w h to %elt] y\r traps4 ,i h us$ ! foll[+ ways ) good success3 ,take two good siz$ *unks ( wood & lay !m ab\t six in*es ap>t4 ,set a ,no4 #a #a_/b trap betwe5 !m at ea* end1 put y\r bait betwe5 ! two traps & cov] x ) small bru% & grass4 ,if y c f9d an old holl[ log x is a good place to set4 ,^! two sets y c use all w9t]4 ,r$ squirrel1 *ick51 rabbit1 p>tridge1 muskrat or turtle are all good baits4 ,:5 y get a m9k or rat alive let x ble$ ar\nd y\r trap4 ,x is also a good plan to hit* a /r+ ar\nd y\r bait & drag x f "o trap to ano!r4 ,a man t foll[s ! woods has "s que] exp]i5ces1 says a ,p5nsylvania trapp]4 ,"s eight or t5 ye>s ago ,i 0 hunt+ ! ,allegh5y ,m\nta9s4 ,x 0 9 ,janu>y & we 7 camp$ on ! ,elk ,riv]4 ,!re 0 a light sn[ on ! gr\nd4 ,my trapp+ p>tn] told me he w\ld %[ me h[ to cat* m9k ) ! l& set4 ,tak+ our traps we w5t d[n ! riv] until we came to "s logs t lay across a holl[4 ,9 "s places ! log 0 f ?ree to f\r feet f ! gr\nd1 & o!r places x 0 n ov] two feet4 ,/icks & limbs _h lodg$ aga9/ ! log1 leav+ small op5+s4 ,9 ^! op5 places we set our traps1 cov]+ !m ov] ) leaves4 ,we caught sev]al ?is way4 ,n[ t w d 9 ,we/ ,virg9ia1 b 9 ,p5nsylvania 9 ?is "p ( ! /ate x takes a wat] set or a deadfall to cat* ! m9k4 ,9 ! ,h-,t-,t ,i h se5 a great _m diff]5t op9ions 9 reg>d to trapp+ m9k1 "s claim+ !y h no tr\ble 9 cat*+ m9k1 o!rs _c cat* !m only ) ! wat] set or deadfall4 ,n[ my exp]i5ce is t x dep5ds ^u :]e ,i am4 ,9 ! s&hill region ( ,virg9ia ,i c\ld cat* m9k only ) ! wat] set1 :ile 9 ! m\nta9s !y 7 v easily caught ) ! l& set4 ,mu* dep5ds on :at k9d ( bait is us$4 ,i once _h a l9e ( eighte5 traps bait$ ) birds & *ick5s on ! ,nott[ay ,riv]1 & out ( ! eighte5 traps1 ,i bait$ "o ) ! c>cass ( a muskrat4 ,well1 ,i didn't cat* any m9k 9 ! traps bait$ ) *ick5 (fal & birds b ! trap bait$ ) muskrat won4 ,,*apt] ,,xvii4 ,,po9ts ,,= ,,! ,,"y ,,trapp]4 ,x is bett] = ! novice to s]ve a few season's appr5tice%ip on ! muskrat or skunk be=e attempt+ ! capture ( ! %rewd] fur be>+ animals4 ,boys1 if y live ne> a tr\t brook1 a creek1 pond1 bog or spr+ hole1 :]e !re are fi%1 frogs or clams1 y may be sure t any su* wat] is frequ5t$1 or at lea/ visit$ by m9k1 ?\gh y\r unpractic$ eyes may fail to detect signs ( _! pres5ce2 & by procur+ a few traps & sett+ !m accord+ to "s me?ods1 y c realize a good bit ( pocket money e ye>1 & at ! same "t h m real pleasure ?an y get f all o!r sports comb9$4 ,don't be disc\rag$ if y cat* no?+ at fir/4 ,visit y\r traps regul>ly1 keep y\r eyes op5 & y\r wits ab\t y1 be pati5t & p]si/5t1 & success is b\nd to come 9 ! end4 ,! "y trapp]'s fir/ essay = ! m9k %\ld be ) "s sort ( wat] set--dry sets requir+ mu* great] skill & caution--& ( ! _m me?ods employ$ ! foll[+ is p]haps ! mo/ effective = "o s simply contriv$4 ,hav+ *os5 a suitable location = y\r trap1 pref]ably "s good siz$ pool ) ! wat] /ill & n too deep at ! edge1 & ! bank ris+ s abruptly t ! set w n easily be ov]-fl[$2 ga!r up a few dead /icks #a #a_/b in* ?ick & break into /akes ab\t #ae in*es long4 ,drive ^! firmly into ! gr\nd to =m a ?ree-sid$ p5 f\r in*es wide by eight in*es long1 ! op5 side at ! wat]'s edge4 ,holl[ out a little place = ! trap & place ) ! spr+ 9 l9e ) ! entrance1 z ! animal's foot w !n be less likely to be ?r[n out by ! jaws clos+2 press ! *a9 d[n into ! mud out ( sight2 fix ! r+ pole1 runn+ x well out into deep wat]2 put ! bait 7fi%1 bird or squirrel7 9 ! p51 p9n+ securely ) a dead /ick1 lay a few /icks ov] top ( p51 & cov] trap c>efully ) rott5 leaves fi%$ up f ! bottom1 dropp+ on a few p9*es ( mud1 & /ick+ a r[ ( %ort twigs on ! out] side to keep !m f spread+ or float+ away4 ,!n if ! wat] falls ! trap w rema9 nicely cov]$4 ,y n[ h ?+s pretty well 9 %ape1 unless y appreh5d tr\ble f trap ?ieves4 ,9 su* case y _c conceal y\r set too c>efully1 = a !ft may n mean m]ely ! loss ( a trap1 b possibly a valuable pelt z well4 ,an excell5t mode ( concealm5t is to cut sev]al fir1 p9e or hemlock %rubs & /ick !m up1 z if gr[+ ab\t ! p51 :i* is mo/ likely to attract ! eye4 ,also ?r[ a scraggily top ( "s k9d into ! wat] ov] ! r+-pole to hide ! cat* aft] dr[n+4 ,la/ly1 re>range z naturally z possible ! leaves & dead /uff di/urb$ 9 y\r "w1 see t no?+ has fall5 on ! trap1 spatt] a little wat] ab\t & y\r set is complete4 ,ano!r good way is to drop two traps side by side 9 %all[ wat]1 surr\nd ea* by a little circle ( rocks & hang ! bait by a ?read ab\t #ab in*es above !m4 ,9 try+ to rea* ! bait ,mr4 ,m9k runs a good *ance ( blund]+ into "o ( ! traps4 ,bett] yet1 get a %all[ box hav+ a wea!rworn appe>ance1 bore half in* holes 9 ! sides1 & s9k 9 ! brook s t ! wat] com+ 9 ?r\gh ! holes w cov] ! bottom to a dep? ( ?ree in*es4 ,drape ! sides ) moss & we$s1 put 9 "s live tr\t & two or ?ree traps along ) !m1 & = ^? m9k t are s p>ticul> z to want to take _! food alive1 y h a set t insures !m a w>m reception4 ,yet ano!r me?od is to f9d an ov]-hang+ bank ) a n>r[ /rip ( bea* betwe5 x & ! wat]4 ,beg9n+ at ! wat]1 drive /akes at an acute angle out to ! bank1 bo? up & d[n ! /ream4 ,at ! apex ( ! ,v %ap$ f5ce ?us =m$ place trap "u wat]4 ,no bait is ne$$4 ,i 0 speak+ ( wat] sets4 ,"o m & ,i w pass on to ! l& set1 = ?\gh an almo/ endless v>iety ( ! =m] c\ld be giv5 ^? pres5t$1 ) su* modifications z w sugge/ !mselves "u v>y+ conditions1 w s]ve z a v good elem5t>y education = ! "y trapp]4 ,! foll[+ 0 giv5 me by an old trapp]3 ,we 7 rid+ toge!r ne> a brook :5 he said1 ,i set a trap "h ?ree ye>s ago1 :i* ,i h nev] _h an opportunity to visit1 b ,i w wag] y !re is a m9k 9 x if x is to be f\nd4 ,:]eupon he left me = a few m9utes1 return+ triumphantly ) ! trap & ! skeleton ( a m9k's foot 9 ! jaws4 ,8 way 0 to g along to %all[ rifles1 p9 a piece ( meat to ! bottom1 place ! trap a few in*es bel[ x1 & a little above drive a %ort l9e ( /akes at "r angles to ! curr5t to keep (f drift4 ,high wat] or l[1 cold wea!r or w>m1 y 7 sure1 he ass]t$1 ( e m9k t came up or d[n ! /ream4 ,& my own exp]i5ce has gone v f> t[>ds mak+ ?is claim good4 ,n[1 all ( ! =ego+ sets are easily made1 & may be us$ by ! novice1 aft] a little practice1 ) e probability ( fair success1 b :5 we leave ! wat] = dry l& great] difficulties w be enc\nt]$4 ,!re is a smell ab\t iron :i* wild animals are quick to detect & recognize z an indication ( dang]4 ,wat] de/roys ?is sc5t1 b ( c\rse 9 ! l& set ?is advantage is lo/4 ,v>i\s directions are giv5 = kill+ x by smok+ or /eep+1 b ,i h f\nd t if ! trap be prop]ly cov]$ !re is small ne$ ( sp5d+ "t 9 ?is way4 ,& "r "h let me say t 9 dry sets success h+es l>gely on ! skill ) :i* y cov] y\r trap1 especially if bait be us$1 & x is be/ to use bait until "o has ga9$ a pretty good idea ( ! habits ( 8 game4 ,! bait may be protect$ by a p5 ( /akes su* z is describ$ 9 my fir/ wat] set1 b plac$ a little back f ! wat] 9 z dry a place z possible4 ,at ! entrance dig a cavity some:at l>g] ?an a trap1 ) a %all[ tr5* lead+ ar\nd to "o side = *a94 ,l9e ) f9e sprigs ( hemlock1 & set trap ev5ly & firmly4 ,! hemlock w n only keep trap & *a9 f freez+ d[n 7a ?+ to be c>efully avoid$7 b also help to neutralize t tell-tale smell ( metal4 ,get "s moss ( a dry1 fibr\s nature1 & conta9+ no e>?ly matt] to freeze4 ,t f\nd on rocks is g5]ally ! be/4 ,te> out a cresc5t-%ap$ piece ( a size to half fill trap1 & fitt+ snugly betwe5 pan & jaw & two small pieces to fill 9 on back or trigg] side ( pan--or only "o piece1 l ! fir/1 if us+ a trap ) spr+ on ! outside4 ,if y h done y\r "w prop]ly1 ! inside ( ! trap is completely fill$1 f jaws to pan1 ) no *ance = any?+ to get "u ! pan1 & no wad ( batt+ b5ea? x 7z is us$ by "s7 to become swoll5 ) moi/ure & prev5t its free work+4 ,n[ g ar\nd trap on ! outside ) moss1 press+ x 9 s z ne>ly to cov] jaws1 lay a ?9 leaf ov] pan1 & cov] ) well pulv]iz$ rott5 wood1 :i* may be f\nd 9 any old /ump4 ,la/ly1 ?r[ on bits ( leaf & p9*es ( dirt until x resembles z ne>ly z possible ! surr\nd+ gr\nd4 ,don't be afraid ( cov]+ too heavily1 s long z y don't put too mu* ov] h+es ( jaws4 ,y want x s t ! iron w n be wa%$ b>e ) ! fir/ ra94 ,b avoid any appe>ance ( a m\nd1 z no?+ ar\ses an animal's suspicions quick] ?an ?is4 ,! *a9 may be cov]$ ) loose e>? & /ump du/4 ,"s advise hit*+ to a clog1 b ,i g5]ally use a /ake1 & seldom1 ev] lose a m9k by foot+4 ,b if a gre5 /ake is us$ be c>eful to sme> ! expos$ end ) mud to remove its fre% appe>ance1 & to secure ! bait use a dead /ick inv>iably4 ,_m guide books speak ( leaves z a cov]+ = ! trap1 b ! fact is t dry leaves are some?+ t ! m9k habitually avoids1 d\btless n lik+ ! ru/l+ s\nd giv5 out 9 travel+ ov] !m2 h5ce x is be/ to use !m 9 l& sets sp>+ly1 & to locate y\r trap s t ! %y fell[ w n h to wall[ ?r\gh a c>pet+ ( !m to rea* x4 ,i h _h excell5t luck by plac+ trap at ! edge ( a bank a foot or s high1 ) a good runway und]nea?4 ,! m9k smells ! bait f bel[ & spr++ up to inve/igate (t5 l&s plump 9 ! trap1 :5 if he _h be5 af=d$ ! *ance = a clos] inspection he might h gone on )\t tr\bl+ x4 ,y may ?9k ?is a small ?+1 b x is j su* trifles t circumv5t ! %y fell[s4 ,9 mak+ y\r set d all ! "w f ! back side2 also approa* on ! same side :5 visit+4 ,g no ne>] ?an necess>y to see t ev]y?+ is all "r1 & make y\r /ay 9 ! vic9ity z %ort z possible4 ,if any "p ( ! trap has become expos$ cov] ) /ump du/4 ,a small fir /uck d[n by ! trap ) bran*es project+ ov] x w s]ve z a protection f ra9 & sn[1 b is seldom ne$$ :5 trap is cov]$ z above describ$4 ,always be on ! look\t = places to set :5 hunt+ or fi%+4 ,let y\r eyes run along ! /rips ( bea* & boggy1 pe] "u ov]hang+ banks & among piles ( drift1 & scrut9ize closely e log spann+ /reams4 ,y w be surpris$ to f9d h[ (t5 y w hit ^u footpr9ts1 dropp+s1 holes & runways1 ! k ( :i* w be ( ! utmo/ value to y :5 ! trapp+ season arrives4 ,illu/ration3 ,,"s ,,new ,,york ,,/ate ,,sk9s4 ,if y trap ! same section ye> aft] ye> y w get to "k ! favorable po9ts s well z to d ) half ! traps necess>y at ! beg9n+1 & get mu* bett] results at t2 = "o trap 9 ! "r place is wor? half a doz51 clapp$ d[n haphazz>d4 ,"s places are good = "o or m m9k e ye>2 an old holl[ log ne> ! wat]1 a passageway among roots or "u a fall5 tree trunk1 a n>r[ %elf along ! face ( ! bluff1 a p>ticul> hole or d5--any ( ^!1 if kept gu>d$ by a well set trap1 may prove a little bonanza = y e season4 ,9 su* places x is bett] to use no bait1 a little fi% oil p]haps except$1 z y w !n take unaw>es _m a sly old fell[ to :om a morsel ( meat1 no matt] h[ cunn+ly arrang$1 w\ld be simply a signbo>d ( dang]4 ,i rememb] well my fir/ exp]i5ce at ?is /yle ( trapp+ m9k4 ,i notic$ :at look$ to be a well worn little pa? on ! bank ( a /ream lead+ d[n "u a big pile ( drift4 ,z an exp]im5t ,i plac$ a trap 9 ?is pa?1 & to my delight f\nd a f9e m9k wait+ me at my next visit4 ,two m m9k foll[$ )9 a week 9 ! same place1 :ile a trap ne>by c>efully set & bait$ 0 n mole/$4 ,i _h suppos$ ,i knew ab\t all !re 0 to trapp+1 b ?is op5$ my eyes a bit4 ,i began se>*+ out & sett+ 9 simil> places1 ) ! result t my usual cat* 0 d\bl$ t season4 ,"o day on look+ into a hole :i* _h rott$ into ! foot ( a big a% /&+ on ! bank ( a /ream ,i saw a small dead fi% ly+ among ! roots z if x _h be5 left !re by "s creature t _h tak5 itself (f at my approa*4 ,i promptly clapp$ two traps into ! cavity1 tak+ c>e n to di/urb ! fi%1 & soon aft] _h a m9k z a rew>d = my tr\ble4 ,b ! be/ natural situation ,i ev] discov]$ 0 "u a high1 ov]hang+ bank--j ! sort ( roadway e m9k com+ along t side ( ! /ream w\ld be sure to *oose--at a po9t :]e a will[ tree completely block$ ! way1 except = a n>r[ passage p]=at+ its tangl$ roots4 ,"o trap c\ld gu>d ?is effectually1 &1 z 9 ! trunk ( ! old a%1 x 0 entirely protect$ f sn[ or ra94 ,( c\rse a m9k c\ld get ar\nd ! trunk by tak+ to ! wat]1 b s f> z ,i c\ld judge !y seldom did s1 & ea* ye> z long z !re 7 any m9k 9 ! vic9ity ,i 0 sure ( sev]al "h4 ,m9k 9 fact pref] travel+ by l& z a rule4 ,= ?is reason a trap plac$ at ei!r end ( a log spann+ a /ream t is too wide = !m to jump =ms a mo/ kill+ set4 ,drive a few /akes on ea* side ( a log at ! ends to prev5t ! animal f jump+ %ore to "o side ( trap1 & use extra /rong traps1 z y are likely to drop on a fox or coon ) ?is set4 ,no bait is ne$$4 ,9 w9t] any spr+ hole1 ev5 if ne> human habitations1 (f]s good possibilities4 ,m9k visit !m to burr[ = frogs1 & "o ( two traps sunk 9 ! mud & %all[ wat] are pretty sure ( an occasional cat*4 ,& !y are b little tr\ble to t5d z ! w>m spr+ wat] prev5ts freez+4 ,n[ a ^w ab\t bait4 ,9 my op9ion ! v be/ bait is fi%2 tr\t1 pick]el1 %9] or any o!r fre% fi%1 be+ all ab\t equally good4 ,b salt fi% %\ld nev] be us$ = m9k1 ?\gh aft] be+ smok$ x makes a tak+ bait = coon4 ,r$ squirrel ,i consid] next to fi%4 ,!y are pl5tiful ev]y:]e1 & ! m9k makes _m a meal (f ( !m 9 ! abs5ce ( 8 favorite food4 ,! (t-quot$ *ick5's head has inv>iably fail$ = me1 nor h ,i f\nd ! fle% ( ! muskrat su* a kill] z is claim$ by "s4 ,p>tridge heads1 wood mice & frogs are all good4 ,9 ! abs5ce ( any?+ else ,i h sometimes us$ ,engli% sp>r[s ) fair results4 ,don't be too g5]\s ) y\r baits4 ,a section ( small fi% an in* long is suffici5t & mu* less likely to ar\se suspicions ?an a l>g] piece4 ,9 c>ry+ bait 9 y\r bag1 wrap 9 an old rag s x w n come 9 contact ) ! metal ( hat*et or traps1 & wa% clean be=e us+4 ,locate y\r traps on long1 comp>atively /raight rea*es ( ! /ream1 z m9k (t5 make %ort cuts :5 travel+ & might miss y\r set entirely if plac$ on a b5d4 ,above all1 /udy y\r game & don't get too kn[+ to take a po9t]4 ,,*apt] ,,xviii4 ,,prop] ,,size ,,traps4 ,= m9k ,i h f\nd a ,no4 #j trap1 if c>efully set ) prop] precaution1 is z good & lucky z a ,no4 #a or #a #a_/b trap z "s trapp]s advocate1 writes a ,canadian trapp]4 ,i us$ a bun* on a consid]able siz$ lake "o fall4 ,! lake _h num]\s small creeks & riv]s fall+ into x4 ,at ! junction ( ^! ) ! lake ,i set my traps4 ,!y 7 all ,no4 #j1 select$ on acc\nt ( _! lightness1 z !re 0 a long c>ry to get to ! lake f a travel$ r\te & add$ to ! canoe1 my gun1 blanket & provisions1 ! traps 7 some:at ( a consid]ation1 & ,i !re=e took ! ones ( less weight4 ,i made two visits to ! lake be=e x froze & got #bj m9k1 #a m>t5 & a female fi%]4 ,:]e ,i made a wat] set ,i saw t ! wat] outside w5t d[n pretty bold1 & ,i always ti$ a /one to ! trap & ?us insur$ ! animal dr[n+4 ,:]e ,i set on l& ,i )\t fail atta*$ ! *a9 to a toss+ pole1 !reby prev5t+ ! fur be+ damag$ by mice or ! animal be+ eat5 by "s o!r4 ,"s may "q ! possibility ( su* small traps be+ = any l5g? ( "t 9 ord] z a wat] set1 b ,i mu/ expla94 ,! lake 0 ( consid]able size & ! season ! latt] "p ( ,octob]4 ,su* a lake at t season ( ! ye> is n subject to any great fluctuations 9 ! height ( ! wat]4 ,i may say 9 conclusion ab\t ?is p>ticul> siz$ trap1 t on t trapp+ t\r ,i only lo/ "o m9k4 ,i f\nd ! trap sprung ) a s+le toe 9 ! jaws4 ,! trap _h be5 a dry set "o1 & by read+ ! signs ,i f\nd "s sn[ _h melt$ & dripp$ f an ov]-hang+ bran* on to ! junction ( ! jaws4 ,?is _h froz5 7! trap be+ 9 ! %ade7 & prev5t$ its usual activity4 ,z a consequ5ce x only caught on z ! m9k 0 9 ! act ( lift+ 8 foot1 s ,i 0 satisfi$ x 0 circum/ance & n ! fault ( ! trap t caus$ ! miss+ ( ?is m9k4 ,! ,no4 #a ,blake ,lamb & ! ,oneida ,jump are ! ideal m9k traps = me1 says an ,ohio trapp]4 ,:5 x comes to ! sn[ set ! old ,blake ,lamb is second to none4 ,! only fault ,i f9d ) ?is trap is t ! *a9 is n long en\gh1 & ?is is ! fault ) o!r makes ( traps z well4 ,:5 ,i trap m9k ,i use muskrat c>cass = wat] sets4 ,! favorite food ( ! m9k is crawfi%1 frogs & fi%4 ,( c\rse ?is k9d ( bait c't well be f\nd 9 ! trapp+ season4 ,:5 ,i f9d a sly old m9k ,i leave (f bo? sc5t & bait1 conceal my traps well "u ! bank or places :]e x likely travels1 & j leave ! trap !re4 ,if ,i don't cat* x 9 a week ,i only g close en\gh to see :e!r !re is any?+ 9 ! trap or n4 ,ab\t m9k1 ,i ?9k !y are que] little animals4 ,sometimes !y are wise & sometimes !y are n4 ,i ?9k ! reason "s ( !m are wise is because !y get educat$ on trap lore by gett+ _! toes p9*$ 9 "s poor trap or trap t is c>elessly set4 ,i use ,no4 #a ,ne:\se = m9k & lo/ only "o m9k out ( my traps la/ season1 & ,i got "o ( 8 toes4 ,i cov] my traps s !re isn't a bit ( *a9 or trap 9 sight1 & use clean traps free f ru/4 ,i use muskrat musk & m9k musk ) good success1 b common s5se is ! be/4 ,i trapp$ ov] ! same gr\nd all w9t] & caught f\r m9k 9 "o place & ?ree 9 ano!r4 ,i see t "s trapp]s ?9k t ! sc5t ( ! m9k w sc>e !m away1 b t is ! be/ sc5t ,i c\ld f9d :5 trapp+ m9k on rat h\ses4 ,a l>ge rat w make a h>d fight = a small m9k if he has a fair %[1 & :5 a m9k gets into a fight he w ?r[ out sc5t l a skunk4 ,= t reason ,i ?9k sc5t is all "r to attract m9k to traps4 ,n[ if y set a trap & use ?is sc5t ) a little muskrat musk1 :5 a m9k comes along he smells ! musk ( bo? m9k & rat1 & beg9s to look ar\nd or r smell ar\nd = ! rema9s ( ! rat to make a meal on4 ,if y h ! trap & sc5t 9 ! "r place y w h ano!r m9k on y\r li/4 ,( c\rse !re are a few old fell[s t are educat$ t are pretty %y ( any?+ t isn't natural to !m4 ,^! fell[s y c cat* 9 bl9d sets some:]e along y\r l9e4 ,ab\t ! be/ place ,i c f9d to cat* m9k is :]e !y drill into a rat h\se to cat* rats4 ,!y smell ar\nd till !y f9d a s(t place on ! s\? side ( ! h\se & dig a hole j l>ge en\gh to crawl ?r\gh1 "r into ! rat's ne/4 ,,*apt] ,,xix4 ,,deadfalls4 ,fir/ a little p5 ab\t a foot squ>e is built ( /ones & *unks or by driv+ /akes close toge!r1 leav+ "o side op54 ,! p5 %\ld be built small] & tight] ?an %[n 9 illu/ration1 s t a small m9k or weasel _c get 9 f ! back or sides4 ,! p5 9 illu/ration is purposely l>ge s t trigg]s & bait c be se51 giv+ ! inexp]i5c$ deadfall trapp] a bett] idea ( h[ to set4 ,! /akes %\ld be cut ab\t ?irty in*es long & driv5 into ! gr\nd "s sixte5 in*es1 leav+ f\rte51 or !reab\t above ! gr\nd4 ,( c\rse if ! e>? is v solid /akes ne$ n be s long1 b %\ld be s driv5 t only ab\t f\rte5 in*es rema9s above gr\nd4 ,a sapl+ say f\r in*es 9 diamet] & f\r feet long is laid across ! end t is op54 ,a sapl+ t is f\r or five in*es 9 diamet] & ab\t twelve feet long is n[ cut = ! fall4 ,/akes are set s t ?is pole or fall w play ov] ! %ort pole on ! gr\nd4 ,^! /akes %\ld be driv5 9 pairs2 two ab\t eighte5 in*es f ! end2 two ab\t f\rte5 fur!r back4 7,see illu/ration74 ,! small end ( ! pole %\ld be split & a /ake driv5 firmly ?r\gh x s !re w be no dang] ( ! pole turn+ & go+ (f ( its own accord4 ,! trap is set by plac+ ! prop 7:i* is only sev5 in*es 9 l5g? & half an in* ?r\gh7 betwe5 ! top log & ! %ort "o on ! gr\nd1 to :i* is atta*$ ! long trigg]1 :i* is only a /ick ab\t ! size ( ! prop1 b ab\t twice z long1 ! bait$ end ( :i* ext5ds back into ! little p54 ,! figure #d trigg]s c be us$ if pref]r$1 b ! two piece is z good if n bett]4 ,! bait may consi/ ( a piece ( fi%1 *ick51 rabbit or any t\gh bit ( meat s long z x is fre%1 & ! bloodi] ! bett]4 ,an animal on sc5t+ ! bait w rea* into ! trap--! top ( ! p5 hav+ be5 c>efully cov]$ ov]--betwe5 ! logs4 ,:5 ! animal seizes ! bait ! long trigg] is pull$ (f ( ! upright prop & d[n comes ! fall1 kill+ ! animal by its weight4 ,skunk1 coon1 opossum1 m9k1 & 9 fact ne>ly all k9ds ( animals are easily caught 9 ?is trap4 ,! fox is an exception1 z x is r h>d to cat* !m 9 deadfalls4 ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,pole ,,deadfall4 ,! m c>e y take to build ! p5 tight & /rong ! less liable is "s animal to te> x d[n & get ! bait f ! outside2 also if y w cov] ! p5 ) leaves1 grass1 /icks1 etc41 animals w n be s %y ( ! trap4 ,! trigg]s are v simple1 ! long "o be+ plac$ on top ( ! upright1 or %ort "o4 ,! long trigg] %\ld h a %ort prong left or a nail driv5 9 x to prev5t ! game f gett+ ! bait (f too easy4 ,if y f9d x h>d to get sapl+s ! "r size = a fall1 & are too light1 !y c be weight$ ) a pole laid on ! fall4 ,! mo/ successful trapp] uses "s deadfalls z well z /eel traps1 especially if trapp+ = a season at "o place4 ,if trapp+ season aft] season 9 ! same locality deadfalls are a great help = m9k t are app>5tly h>d to cat* 9 /eel traps readily take bait f deadfalls & get caught4 ,on ! o!r h&1 m9k t refuse to take bait f deadfalls are (t5 caught 9 bl9d /eel trap sets4 ,! exp]i5c$ trapp] kn[s t m9k travel along creeks1 riv]s1 swamps1 ponds & lakes4 ,c>e %\ld be tak5 9 select+ places to build deadfalls4 ,if !re are d5s ?is is a good place to con/ruct !m4 ,if !re are _m d5s s mu* ! bett]1 b "o is all t is requir$1 = a m9k is apt to inve/igate all & w sc5t bait4 ,if y are acqua9t$ ) ! t]ritory y mu/ "k "s places :]e m9k frequ5t4 ,x seems t ! nature & habits ( m9k are su* t al?\gh a m9k _h nev] travel$ t t]ritory be=e x w\ld foll[ ab\t ! same c\rse z o!rs1 z tracks 9 ! mud & sn[ %[$4 ,to prove ?is ,i w m5tion t "s ye>s ago 9 "o deadfall ,i caught eight m9k 9 five w9t]s & "o 9 a /eel trap1 mak+ n9e caught 9 ! five ye>s4 ,?is deadfall 0 built on ! bank ( a small /ream "s #bj feet f ! wat] & ne> a l>ge sycamore1 "u :i* !re 0 a d51 al?\gh ! trap 0 "s feet f ! entrance to ! d54 ,! fir/ w9t] "o m9k 0 tak52 ! second two2 ! ?ird ?ree2 ! f\r? two2 ! fif? "o4 ,! f\r? w9t] a few weeks aft] cat*+ "o 9 ! deadfall ! trap 0 d[n & ! bait gone4 ,! trap 0 rebait$1 b = sev]al trips ,i f\nd ! trap d[n & bait eat54 ,i felt sure t x 0 a m9k1 & al?\gh ,i set ! trigg]s easy--,i 0 us+ ! two piece trigg] & upright sp9dle--! animal cont9u$ to get ! bait4 ,aft] a few m visits & ! trap d[n1 bait inv>iably eat51 ,i made ! p5 small]4 ,! next r\nd ,i br\ght a ,no4 #a ,ne:\se /eel trap int5d+ to set x if ! deadfall 0 d[n )\t mak+ a cat*4 ,sure en\gh x 04 ,= "s trips ,i _h be5 suspect+ t ! bait gett] 0 a small m9k4 ,i bait$ & reset ! deadfall z usual4 ,next a small place 0 excavat$ inside ! p5 & ne> ! bait1 on ! deadfall sp9dle1 ! trap plac$ & c>efully cov]$4 ,illu/ration3 ,,/one ,,deadfalls4 ,! next morn+ ,i f\nd ev]y?+ z ,i _h left x ! day be=e1 b ! second r\nd ,i saw t ! fall 0 d[n be=e ,i got ne> & on clos] approa* saw a m9k1 a v small "o1 9 ! /eel trap4 ,! m9k 0 small & w5t inside ! p5 = ! bait4 ,9 con/ruct+ deadfalls = m9k c>e mu/ be tak5 to h ! p5 built tight b n too l>ge4 ,x is be/ to build deadfalls 9 advance ( ! active trapp+ season s t ! animals may become accu/om$ to !m1 & ! trap wea!r beat54 ,*opp+ & p\nd+ might t5d to drive animals away4 ,9 ,augu/1 ,septemb] & ,octob] is a good "t to build1 = if 9 new t]ritory signs1 if any1 %\ld be readily se54 ,:ile x is be/ to con/ruct deadfalls 9 advance ( trapp+ season1 yet ! writ] has built deadfalls late 9 ,novemb]1 set & bait$ & f\nd m9k 9 !m ! next morn+4 ,if rightly built t5 or a doz5 is all a man c make 9 a day1 & l sett+ /eel traps1 a doz5 c>efully set = m9k are wor? a hundr$ set at haphazz>d4 ,m9k are great travel]s1 s t x is ne$less to set deadfalls close toge!r4 ,"o ab\t e mile is en\gh unless !re %\ld be _m d5s & rocky bluffs along ! /reams1 !n !y c\ld to advantage be built clos]1 = o!r game is liable to be caught4 ,9 ?is case !y %\ld be made a little heavi]1 z y may cat* opossum1 skunk & coon4 ,:]e "o /ream empties into ano!r is (t5 a good place to con/ruct a deadfall4 ,if be=e select+ y\r places to build a few trips are tak5 along ! /reams x w be a great help4 ,:]e small /reams empty into ponds or lakes or ! outlets w be f\nd ideal places = m9k4 ,:5 deadfalls are built be=e ! trapp+ season x is well to set !m1 hav+ ! top ( ! p5 cov]$1 j z ?\gh ! trap 0 bait$ & ready = bus9ess4 ,ano!r ?+ t %\ld be c>efully look$ aft] is trigg]s4 ,_m cut trigg]s f gre5 bu%es4 ,if ?is is done1 h>d wood su* z oak1 hickory1 dogwood1 sug>1 bee*1 etc41 is be/4 ,! upright trigg]1 :i* is only a /raight piece ( wood ab\t a half in* ?ick1 %\ld be slightly r\nd$ s t ! sp9dle w slip (f easi] :5 ! animal is at bait4 ,x is a good idea to prep>e a lot ( trigg]s 9 advance4 ,= /one deadfalls ! figure #d mu/ be us$ z ! two piece w n "w--go+ (f entirely too h>d4 ,( c\rse we all admit ! /eel trap is m conv5i5t & up-to-date1 says a ,new ,hamp%ire trapp]4 ,y c make y\r sets fa/] & c *ange ! /eel trap f place to place4 ,( c\rse ! deadfall y _c4 ,b all ?is does n signify ! deadfall is no good2 !y are good1 & :5 m9k trapp+ is consum$ ! deadfall is ! trap y want4 ,to ! trapp] :o traps 9 ! same locality e ye>1 :5 8 deadfalls are once built x is only a few m9utes "w to put !m 9 %ape1 !n he has got a trap = ! season4 ,illu/ration3 ,,bo>d ,,or ,,log ,,trap4 ,i give a diagram ( a deadfall 7call$ "h ,log ,trap7 :i*1 :5 prop]ly made & bait$1 !re is no su* a m9k cat*] 9 ! trap l9e t has yet be5 devis$4 ,?is trap requires ab\t tw5ty m9utes "t to make1 & = tools a camp hat*et & a good1 /rong jack-knife1 also a piece ( /rong /r+1 :i* all trapp]s c>ry4 ,?is trap %\ld be ab\t fifte5 in*es wide ) a p5 built ) /icks or pieces ( bo>ds driv5 9 ! gr\nd4 7,see diagram47 ,! jaws ( ?is trap consi/ ( two pieces ( bo>d ?ree in*es wide & ab\t ?ree & a half feet long1 re/+ edgeways "o on ! o!r1 held firmly by f\r po/s driv5 9 ! gr\nd4 ,! top bo>d or drop %\ld move easily up & d[n be=e weights are put on4 ,! treadle %\ld be set ?ree in*es inside1 level ) ! top ( bottom bo>d4 ,?is is a r\nd /ick ab\t ?ree-f\r?s in* ?r\gh re/+ aga9/ two pegs driv5 9 ! gr\nd4 7,see diagram47 ,! lev] %\ld be ! same size4 ,n[ put y\r /\t /r+ ar\nd top bo>d1 !n set1 pass lev] ?r\gh ! /r+ ov] ! cross piece & lat* x 9 front ( ! treadle1 !n put on weights & adju/ to spr+1 heavy or light z desir$4 ,?is trap %\ld be set ar\nd old dams or log jams by ! brook1 bait$ ) fi%1 muskrat1 rabbit or *ick54 ,,*apt] ,,xx4 ,,/eel ,,traps4 ,= g5]ations !re w be good trapp+ sections 9 p>ts ( ! ,nor?1 ,we/ & ,s\?1 s t ! h>dy trapp] w cont9ue to reap a h>ve/ ( pelts & fur4 ,m9k are widely di/ribut$ ov] ,am]ica1 & :ile _! numb]s1 9 "s sections1 h be5 r$uc$ by ! high prices & close trapp+ & hunt+1 !y are f\nd mu* m frequ5tly 9 ! settl$ di/ricts ?an ^? :o give trapp+ no att5tion or ?\ght4 ,9 ! rapid developm5t ( ! c\ntry ! /eel trap has play$ a wond]ful "p4 ,!y h subdu$ ! mon/] be> & hungry wolf1 z well z caught millions ( ! small] fur be>+ animals1 add+ l>gely to ! annual income ( ! h>dy trapp]4 ,/eel traps h be5 9 use = m ?an fifty ye>s1 b = "s "t aft] !y 7 inv5t$ !y 7 s exp5sive t !y 7 n g5]ally us$4 ,( rec5t ye>s !y h become *eap] & _! use has become g5]al4 ,trapp]s w be f\nd us+ !m 9 l>ge numb]s :e!r 9 ! ,f> ,nor? = m>t51 fox1 beav]1 etc41 or 9 ! ,s\? & ,s\?we/ aft] coon1 ott]1 & small] fur be>+ animals4 ,pr(essional trapp]s use g5]ally f #ej to #cjj /eel traps1 dep5d+ ^u :at game !y are aft]4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,good ,,fa/5+4 ,/eel traps are manufactur$ 9 v>i\s sizes4 ,! smalle/1 ,no4 #j1 is us$ = goph]s1 rats1 etc41 :ile ! l>ge/1 ,no4 #f1 is = grizzly be>1 & w hold him4 ,! ,no4 #a #a_/b is kn[n z ! ,m9k trap4 ,! spread ( jaws is #d #g_/h in*es4 ,! ,no4 #a spread ( jaws #d in*es is also adapt$ = m9k4 ,an old & exp]i5c$ trapp] :o has sp5t _m ye>s 9 ! =e/s ( ,nor!rn ,canada has us$ ! ,no4 #j ) rem>kably good success4 ,!re is no d\bt b t ! smalle/ size w hold ! m9k 9 ! ,ne:\se br&1 & we are allud+ to ! ,ne:\se manufactur$ by ! ,oneida ,community1 ,ltd41 ,oneida1 ,new ,york1 z x is ackn[l$g$ to be ! be/ trap 9 ! _w4 ,! fa/5+ ( traps = any animal has mu* to d ) ! trapp]'s success4 ,traps fa/5$ to some?+ solid are n s apt to hold ! game4 ,if only caught by a toe or two & ! animal jumps ar\nd ! toes are apt to be pull$ (f4 ,traps %\ld be fa/5$ f> out 9 ! wat]1 :5 trapp+ = m9k1 if ! wea!r is n s cold t ! wat] is froz54 ,9 t case ! fa/5+ %\ld be to a bu%y bu%1 or at lea/ to some?+ t w give ) e pull & j]k ( ! animal4 ,z _m m9k trapp]s devote m or less "t to trapp+ o!r fur be>+ animals1 a description ( ! v>i\s ,ne:\se traps1 tell+ ! animal or animals ea* size is adapt$ to1 etc41 w no d\bt be ( int]e/4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #j ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #c #a_/b in*es4 ,?is1 ! smalle/ trap made1 is us$ mo/ly = cat*+ ! goph]1 a little animal :i* is v tr\blesome to we/]n f>m]s1 & also rats & o!r v]m94 ,x has a %>p grip & w hold l>g] game1 b %\ld n be ov]tax$4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #a ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #d in*es4 ,?is ,trap is us$ = cat*+ muskrats & o!r small animals1 & sold 9 great] numb]s ?an any o!r size4 ,its use is well und]/ood by pr(essional trapp]s & x is ! mo/ s]viceable size = cat*+ skunks1 weasels1 rats & su* o!r animals z visit p\ltry h\ses & b>ns4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #ha ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #d in*es4 ,occasionally animals free !mselves f traps by gnaw+ _! legs (f j bel[ ! trap jaws1 :]e ! fle% is numb f pressure4 ,v>i\s =ms ( traps h be5 exp]im5t$ ) to obviate ?is difficulty4 ,! ,webb$ ,jaws %[n above h prov$ v successful 9 ?is respect4 ,not+ ! cross-section ( ! jaws1 z illu/rat$ at ! left1 x is pla9 ! animal c only gnaw (f its leg at a po9t q a di/ance bel[ ! meet+ edges4 ,! fle% above ! po9t ( amputation & bel[ ! jaws w swell & make x impossible to pull ! leg /ump out ( ! trap4 ,! ,no4 #ha ,trap corresponds 9 size ) ! regul> ,no4 #a ,ne:\se4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #ia ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws--#ia1 #e #a_/d in*es2 #ia #a_/b1 #f #a_/d in*es4 ,! d\ble jaws take an easy & firm grip s high up on ! muskrat t he c n twi/ out4 ,a skunk _c gnaw out ei!r4 ,^! traps are especially good = ,muskrat1 ,m9k1 ,skunk & ,raccoon4 ,all p>ts ( ! ,no4 #ia except ! jaws are ! same size z ! regul> ,no4 #a ,ne:\se1 :ile ! #ia #a_/b corresponds to ! regul> ,no4 #a #a_/b4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #a #a_/b ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #d #g_/h in*es4 ,?is size is call$ ! ,m9k ,trap4 ,x is1 h[ev]1 suitable = cat*+ ! ,wood*uck1 ,skunk1 etc4 ,pr(essional trapp]s (t5 use x = cat*+ ,foxes4 ,x is v conv5i5t 9 =m & is /rong & reliable4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #b ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #d #g_/h in*es4 ,! ,no4 #b ,trap is call$ ! ,fox ,trap4 ,its spread ( jaws is ! same z ! ,no4 #a #a_/b b hav+ two spr+s x is1 ( c\rse1 mu* /rong]4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #c ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #e #a_/b in*es4 ,?is1 ! ,ott] ,trap1 is v p[]ful4 ,x w hold almo/ any game small] ?an a be>4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #d ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #f #a_/b in*es4 ,?is is ! regul> =m ( ,beav] ,trap4 ,x is long] ?an ! ,no4 #c ,trap1 & has "o in* great] spread ( jaws4 ,x is a favorite ) ^? :o trap & hunt = a liv+ 9 ! ,nor?we/ & ,canada4 ,x is also ext5sively us$ = trapp+ ! small] ,wolves & ,coyotes 9 ! we/]n /ock rais+ regions4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #b #a_/b ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #f #a_/b in*es4 ,9 "s localities ! ,ott] gr[s to an unusual size1 ) great proportionate /r5g?1 s t ! manufactur]s h be5 l$ to produce an especially l>ge & /rong patt]n4 ,all ! p>ts are heavi] ?an ! ,no4 #b #a_/b1 ! spread ( jaws great] & ! spr+ /iff]4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #c #a_/b ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #e in*es4 ,! above cut repres5ts a ,s+le ,spr+ ,ott] ,trap4 ,x is us$ m especially = cat*+ ,ott] on _! slides4 ,= ?is purpose a ?91 rais$ plate ( /eel is adju/$ to ! pan s t :5 ! trap is set ! plate w be a trifle high] ?an ! tee? on ! jaws4 ,! spr+ is v p[]ful1 be+ ! same z us$ on ! ,no4 #d ,ne:\se ,trap4 ,! rais$ plate c be readily deta*$ if desir$1 mak+ ! trap "o ( g5]al utility4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #ba #a_/b ,,trap ,s+le ,spr+4 ,same z ,no4 #b #a_/b b )\t ,tee? or ,rais$ ,plate4 ,no4 #ca #a_/b ,,ne:\se ,,trap4 ,s+le ,spr+4 ,same z ,no4 #c #a_/b b )\t ,tee? or ,rais$ ,plate4 ,spread ( ,jaws--,no4 #ba #a_/b1 #e #a_/d in*es2 ,no4 #ca #a_/b1 #f #a_/b in*es4 ,^! ,traps are ! l>ge/ smoo? jaw1 s+le spr+ sizes t are made4 ,pr(essional trapp]s w f9d ^! especially valuable :5 on a long trapp+ l9e1 z !y are m compact & easi] to secrete ?an ! l>ge d\ble spr+ traps4 ,! spr+s are made extra heavy4 ,note4--,! #ba #a_/b is practically a s+le spr+ ,no4 #c & ! #ca #a_/b a s+le spr+ ,no4 #d4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #ad ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #f #a_/b in*es4 ,?is ,trap is ! same 9 size z ! ,no4 #d ,beav]1 b has heavi] & /iff] spr+s & (fset jaws1 :i* all[ ! spr+s to raise high] :5 ! animal's leg is 9 ! trap1 & is furni%$ ) tee? suffici5tly close to prev5t ! animal f pull+ its foot out4 ,illu/ration3 ,,clut* ,,deta*able ,,trap ,clut* ,deta*able--,trap c be us$ ) or )\t x4 ,,pat5t$4 ,spread ( ,jaws1 ,no4 #bc1 #e #a_/b in*es2 ,no4 #bd1 #f #a_/d in*es4 ,! inv5tor ( ?is atta*m5t claims to h _h wond]ful success ) x 9 tak+ ,beav]4 ,! trap %\ld be set ) ! clut* end f>!/ f %ore4 ,! beav] swims ) 8 =e legs fold$ back aga9/ 8 body1 & :5 he feels 8 brea/ t\* ! bank he puts !m d[n4 ,! position ( ! trap c be s calculat$ t he w put 8 =e legs 9 ! trap1 :5 ! clut* w seize him across ! body & hold him securely4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #d #a_/b ,,trap ,9 response to a dem& = a new model ( ! ,ne:\se ,trap especially adapt$ to cat*+ wolves1 ! manufactur]s h p]fect$ a trap :i* is numb]$ #d #a_/b & is call$ ! ,ne:\se ,wolf ,trap4 ,?is trap has eight in*es spread ( jaw1 ) o!r p>ts 9 proportion1 & is provid$ ) a prong$ drag1 a heavy snap & an extra heavy /eel swivel & *a91 five feet long1 w>rant$ to hold #b1jjj p\nds4 ,! trap complete ) *a9 & drag weighs ab\t n9e p\nds4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #ej ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #i in*es4 ,?is trap is int5d$ = cat*+ small siz$ ,be>s4 ,9 design x is exactly l ! /&>d ,no4 #e ,be> ,trap1 only t ! p>ts are all some:at small]4 ,weight1 #aa #a_/d p\nds ea*4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #aej ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #i in*es4 ,?is trap is id5tical ) ,no4 #e except+ t ! jaws are (fset1 mak+ a space five-eigh?s in* betwe5 !m4 ,?is all[s ! spr+s to come up high] :5 ! be>'s foot is 9 ! trap1 & ?us secure a bett] grip4 ,also !re is less *ance ( break+ ! bones ( ! foot4 ,weight1 #aa #a_/d p\nds ea*4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #e ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #aa #c_/d in*es4 ,?is trap weighs n9ete5 p\nds4 ,x is us$ = tak+ ! common ,black ,be> & is furni%$ ) a v /rong *a94 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #ae ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #aa #c_/d in*es4 ,to meet ! views ( c]ta9 hunt]s ^: judgm5t is respect$1 ! manufactur]s design$ a /yle ( jaw = ! ,no4 #e trap1 mak+ an (fset ( #c_/d ( an in*1 s z to all[ ! spr+s to come up high] :5 ! be>'s leg is 9 ! trap4 ,?is gives ! spr+ a bett] grip4 ,^? wi%+ ?is /yle %\ld specify ,no4 #ae4 ,illu/ration3 ,,ne:\se ,,no4 #f ,,trap ,spread ( ,jaws1 #af in*es4 ,weight1 complete1 #db p\nds4 ,?is is ! /ronge/ trap made4 ,we h nev] he>d ( any?+ gett+ out ( x :5 once caught4 ,x is us$ to cat* lions & tig]s1 z well z ! great ,grizzly ,be>s ( ! ,rocky ,m\nta9s4 ,illu/ration3 ,,be> ,,*a9 ,,clevis ,,& ,,bolt ,?is cut illu/rates ,be> ,*a9 ,clevis & ,bolt1 int5d$ z a sub/itute = ! r+ on ! end ( ! trap *a91 :5 desir$4 ,) ?is clevis a loop c be made ar\nd any small log or tree )\t ! tr\ble ( cutt+ to fit ! r+4 ,! *a9 is made five feet long1 suitable = any clog1 & ! prices ( be> traps fitt$ ) x are ! same z ) ! regul> %ort *a9 & r+4 ,illu/ration3 ,,trap ,,sett+ ,,clamp ,e trapp] kn[s h[ difficult x is to set a l>ge trap alone 9 ! woods1 especially 9 cold wea!r1 :5 ! f+]s are /iff1 & ! difficulty is greatly increas$ :5 "o has to "w 9 a boat4 ,"o ( ^! clamps appli$ to ea* spr+ w1 by a few turns ( ! ?umb-screws1 b5d ! spr+s to _! places1 s t ! pan may be adju/$ )\t difficulty4 ,no4 #d ,clamp c be us$ on any trap small] ?an ,no4 #d #a _/#b4 ,no4 #e & #f are /rong clamps1 c>efully made & especially adapt$ to sett+ ! l>ge traps ,nos4 #d #a_/b to #f4 ,!y disp5se ) ! inconv5i5t & dang]\s use ( lev]s4 ,) !m "o c easily set ^! p[]ful traps4 ,^! clamps are also useful ab\t camp = o!r purposes4 ,,end ,,( ,,m9k ,,trapp+