BLIND SET METHODS.
Where wolves and coyotes are plentiful and natural conditions are
favorable, blind sets are very successful, especially for the wary
animals that refuse to take bait. Conditions must be favorable in
order to make blind set trapping feasible. There must be plenty of
good clear trails traversing the country, and a comparatively rough
locality will be found to be the best as, on rough ground, the wolves
are more certain to walk on the trails.
It is only, perhaps, a small per cent. of the trappers who are able
to make a success of blind sets, for it requires one who is very
observing and a diligent worker. To make a fair catch requires that
one runs a long line of traps, for he must depend on putting his trap
just where the wolf will step, instead of decoying the animal into
the trap by means of a bait, and no matter how careful he is in this
matter, he is certain to set a lot of traps in bad places.
On the other hand, if food is plentiful and the wolves do not take
bait well, or if they have become shy and wary because of persistent
trapping, one is more likely to make a showing if he uses blind sets,
in part at least. Then, too, he may be more certain of pulling in the
"old veterans."
The reason that the blind set is more certain for the wary animals is
that there is no bait to arouse the suspicions of the intended
victim, and it is taken when completely off its guard. Such animals
as the wolf, coyote and fox are always suspicious of a bait even
though there is no trap there, and will sometimes steer clear of it
for several days, simply because they think there may be something
wrong there. They approach a baited trap warily and if they detect
any disturbance or sign of human presence, they are off for good.
With the blind set, that would not occur and if the trap is in the
proper place, the trapper may be pretty certain of the animal when it
comes that way.
In all parts of the wolf and coyote country, trails of some kind are
to be found. On the Western Plains the stock trails are numerous and
offer great possibilities for blind trapping. In the mountains, game
trails are to be found and as such trails invariably lead through
passes and other natural passage-ways they make excellent places for
wolf sets, if on the animals' route. In the northern forests, moose,
caribou, and deer trails are plentiful and good places for blind sets
are to be found.
Main trails are the best always, unless one finds that the animals
are traveling on the branches. The trail leading to the crossing
place of a deep washout is an excellent place in which to set a trap.
Unless the trail traverses a natural pass or leads to the crossing of
a ravine, it is always best to be sure that the animals are traveling
the trail before setting traps.
[Illustration: A Good Catch.]
A narrow, well defined portion of the trail should be selected, and
if there are bunches of brush, cactus or weeds on either side, so
much better. A single trap may be used but as the animal is likely to
step over it without springing, two traps are better. They should be
attached to drags of some sort; either stones, chunks of wood or the
pronged, iron drags. If the traps are staked the captured animal will
tear up the trail and the next one that passes that way will stop to
investigate and may locate the trap. With other sets, it is sometimes
better to let the captured coyote or wolf scratch up the setting but
with the trail set, it is best to use a drag.
A piece of canvas or cow or sheep hide should be spread on the ground
and the trapper should stand on it while making the set, and should
also use it as a receptacle for the loose dirt. A hole should be dug
for each trap, the same shape as the trap when set, but a little
larger, and of such a depth that when the trap is covered, the
covering will be even with the surface of the ground. A narrow trench
should be made for the chain and a hole in which to place the drag.
The drag should be buried as far from the trap as the chain will
allow.
The traps should be set with the jaws lying lengthwise of the trail.
After filling in neatly with dirt around the springs and the outside
of the jaws, a sheet of clean paper should be placed over the trap
and covered with from one fourth to one half inch of fine dirt,
covering the edges of the paper first to prevent it from sagging.
When finished the whole should be brushed smooth and the surplus dirt
carried away.
Sometimes one can find a long, deep ravine which is practically
impassable to wolves and coyotes. At such places one may find small
branches running out to the side and wherever there is such a branch,
there is sure to be a trail at the first crossing place. Such a trail
is sure to be used by the animals when traveling along the canyon for
when they strike the lateral branch, they are certain to follow it to
the first crossing place. That is the place to set a trap for them.
One of the trappers who is located on the coyote range of the
Northwest, writes: "There are several ways of trapping for the coyote
but none of them will hold good very long. The coyote will soon get
on to the way you trap, and know as well where your trap is as you
do."
The most successful way I have found is to take two No. 3 and No. 4
Newhouse traps and wire the rings together hard and fast. Set them in
trails that are used by the coyotes. Dig a hole in the trails the
right size for the traps. Double the chains up and put them under the
traps, cover the traps lightly with dust, leaving everything as
normal as possible. Two traps together make your chances double for a
catch, and the loose trap answers for a drag. The coyote will not go
far until he becomes entangled for keeps. I never use bait only to
draw the coyote to some place where there are lots of trails leading
in all directions. These trails I monopolize with traps as just
described. I set it in the most likely looking place, then take a
large sized bait, fasten it in a thicket in the vicinity of the
traps, and your chances are good for a catch."
Another trapper gives his method in the following: "In setting traps
for wolves and coyotes, I set them mostly on the trails made by
stock. I use steel pins made from rake teeth. With a short handled
axe I cut out a place in the trail so the trap will be level with the
top of the ground when covered. I use paper over the jaws and set two
No. 4 traps at a setting, putting them fourteen or twenty inches
apart. A wolfs foot is good for brushing the dirt over the traps so
as to make everything look as natural as possible. I use a pair of
gloves in handling my traps and set them where the trail is narrow
and on a little knoll, or where the trail goes around a bank or
between two hills.
"Leave all wolf and coyote carcasses near the traps after skinning
them, as they make a good decoy. A good plan is to throw your rope
around a piece of meat and drag it from your saddle horn. Take a
dozen No. 4 traps and go up and down the dusty trail and set them on
the drag mark. If you hide them well, you will get Mr. Wolf or
Coyote. I do not use bait in warm weather and not much in cold
weather. A grey wolf is hard to catch by bait, unless very hungry and
he is seldom troubled that way where there are cattle and horses on
the range."