ALL ROUND LAND SET.
I have made a close study of the red fox for years and the all round
land set is one of my best and latest sets, says J. H. Shufelt, of
Canada. First used last year and took 15 red foxes, and when properly
and carefully set, is the most killing method I ever used.
How to make the scent--This scent should be made in August, of house
cat, muskrat or skunk, chopped fine and put in a two quart glass jar
and sealed until it forms a liquid, and should fill the jar
two-thirds full. Two weeks before using put in the musk of one skunk, one
oz. oil of amber, and enough skunk oil to nearly fill the jar; get a
new paint brush, a small one will do, and see that it is clean, to
use scent with, and it should be kept in the jar.
How to fix trap--I prefer a waxed trap. I find a smoked trap will
rust on the under side after setting about a week. It's not so with a
waxed trap. If properly waxed, water will not rust them. Take a large
kettle of hot water and keep it boiling hot. Melt your beeswax in a
cup or dish and pour on the water; now take your traps, six at a
time, and dip them, and the wax will adhere to them; just leave the
traps in the water long enough to warm them a little, when the wax
will spread evenly over them; drain over kettle and hang up to dry a
week before using. One half pound of wax is sufficient for three
dozen traps and chains and will last one trapping season.
[Illustration: NOVEMBER CATCH.]
How to set the trap--I use rubber boots and set in the morning when
the dew is on the grass or on a wet day. The set should be made near
the foxes' runways or on high ground; dig out a place the size of
your trap, take something with you to put the trap and dirt on--for
this purpose I use a piece of oil cloth, two feet square--fill all
around outside of your trap with fine dirt, and put a large leaf over
your trap. I use a large leaf from a first growth basswood. As soon
as they fall from the tree I gather them and lay them flat together
in the mud until I want them to use. Why I prefer this particular
kind of leaf is, they grow so large that one leaf covers the trap.
After the leaf is over your trap cover with fine dirt or something
that must be in keeping with the surroundings. Now stand in one place
and take your brush from the jar and paint a circle about two feet in
diameter, the width of your brush on the grass all around your trap.
This should be repeated once or twice a week, especially after a
heavy rain storm. Nothing can steal your bait, John Sneak'um cannot
locate your trap.
When visiting your traps carry an extra trap along, and when you make
a catch set a clean trap by exchanging traps; always clean your trap
after making a catch before setting again. Now boys, start in right,
by using a good trap with a large pan, one that can be easily
concealed. Don't try to catch a fox with a weak trap, for you will
only be disappointed and at the same time be educating another fox,
and he will make the rest shy, for they often travel in pairs. When
making your sets, don't disturb anything around the place nor use a
bush drag where there hasn't been one, for the fox is quick to
notice. Use a grapple that can be concealed under your trap. Just try
and see how slick a set you can make and try and learn the habits of
the animal you are trying to catch, for that is the key to success.