The Trapper's Guide; A Manual of Instructions for Capturing All Kinds of Fur-Bearing Animals, and Curing Their Skins with Observations on the Fur-Trade, Hints on Life in the Woods, and Narratives of Trapping and Hunting Excursions (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1867. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... weight attached, will behave more gently, or at least will not be able to get loose for want of purchase. The weight used in such cases is called a clog. It is usually a pole or stick of wood, of a size suited to the ring of the trap-chain, and to the size of the game. As the object of it is to encumber the animal, but not to hold it fast, the chain should be attached to it near one of its ends, so that it will not be likely to get fast among the rocks and bushes for a considerable time. The usual way is to slip the ring over the large end of the pole and fasten it with a wedge. RULE FOE BAITING. There is one general principle in regard to baiting animals that may as well be recorded and explained here, as it is applicable to all cases. It is this: Never put bait on the pan of a trap. The old-fashioned traps were always made with holes in the pan for strings to tie on bait; and many if not most novices in trapping imagine that the true way is to attract the animal's nose straight to the centre of action, by piling bait on the pan, as though it were expected to catch him by the head. The truth, however, is, that animals are very rarely taken by the head or the body, but almost always by a leg. When an animal pulls at a bait on the pan of a trap, he is not likely even to spring the trap, for he lifts in the wrong direction; and if he does spring it, the position of his head is such, especially if the bait is high on the pan, that he is pretty sure to give the jaws the slip. Besides, bait on the pan calls the attention of the wary animal to the trap; whereas he ought to be wholly diverted from it, and all signs of it obliterated. Bait should always be placed so that the animal in attempting to take it shall put a foot on the pan. This can be done in several ways, ...