Produced by Linda M. Everhart, Blairstown, Missouri
The
Accomplished
Muskrat Trapper
A Book on Trapping
for Amateurs
By
A. E. SCHMIDT
CHICAGO
Copyright, 1922, by
A. E. Schmidt.
Boyle Brothers, Incorporated
Printers
606 West Lake Street
Chicago, Illinois
INTRODUCTION.
In placing this booklet before the great fraternity of American
trappers, the author does not propose to exercise any pedagogical
influence upon the truly professional trapper, who, seasoned in the
hard school of experience, knows the animals he is seeking, like a
mother knows her child. It is his wish, however, to assist and guide
the amateur to a greater success.
Practically all text-books written for trappers, treating upon the
subject of trapping and raw furs, heretofore have been neglectful of
two things, namely, how to trap the animals under various conditions,
and the assorting and grading of raw furs.
Of all fur bearers, the muskrat is the most numerous and least wary,
hence very easily trapped--in consequence of this: it has been
neglected by writers of trapping to a greater extent than any other
fur-bearing animals. The author of THE ACCOMPLISHED MUSKRAT TRAPPER
feels that he is instrumental in introducing to thousands of muskrat
trappers a long-felt want. Being a trapper of wide experience, he
early recognized the worth of the methods contained herein. Knowing
that a fair trial will convince the most skeptical as to the merits
and practicability of these methods, the writer feels sure that this
little booklet will meet with the hearty approval of trappers
everywhere.
Chapter 1.
Habits and Nature of the Muskrat.
The rodent quadruped muskrat, also known by the Indian name
"Musquash" is a small amphibious animal of North America, being found
as far north as Labrador and Alaska, and ranging south as far as the
states of New Mexico and Arizona. There is only one species of the
muskrat, but naturalists recognize several varieties or subdivisions,
the differentia lying mainly in the color of the fur, firmness of the
skin or pelt, and the physical dimensions of the animal. For example,
the muskrats of the Atlantic coast states are comparatively large and
of dark color; while those of the Northwest prairie region are
smaller, thin and papery in pelt (except those living in clear or
cold water streams) and of paler color. These variations are no doubt
due to climatic and local conditions under which the animal lives.
Generally speaking, it may be said that the muskrat is a nocturnal
animal, but where they are plentiful they are frequently observed
prowling or swimming about during the day. It is found at home in
rivers, lakes and ponds. When inhabiting the former it lives in
burrows dug in the banks; the entrance to these are usually several
feet under water. They are found to be most numerous in swamps which
are heavily bordered with grasses and thickly strewn with scattering
growths of aquatic vegetation. The roots of these plants compose the
principal diet of the animal, while the tops furnish the material for
the construction of their homes. The marsh 'rat differs in its mode
of living from that of its brother the "river 'rat," by its habit of
constructing dome-like houses. This change in abode is due to the
natural environment in which it lives. In many large swamps scores of
these queer little dwellings can be seen towering above the water.
They average about three feet in height, and are composed of the
roots and stems of grasses, reeds, wild rice and flags. The entrances
are located under water. From four to eight 'rats are generally found
in one house.
The muskrat is a herbivorous animal. Its food consists of the roots
of flags, water lilies, etc. It is also very fond of sweet apples and
vegetables, and will often raid a garden when located near its
haunts. It is also partial to grain, especially corn.
Although the muskrat is herbaceous by nature, it is known to eat the
flesh of clams. These it carries upon shore, deposits them in a pile
in some secluded retreat and leaves them to die, whereupon they are
easily opened and devoured with much avidity. The general assumption
is that the animal eats these clams only when other food is scarce.
This, however, is entirely in discord with the observations of the
author, who has on several occasions discovered 'rats feeding on
clams when their favorite food was plentiful. Therefore, it is only
logical to presume, that it is not the lack of food that attracts the
'rat's attention to the lowly clam, but it is the abundance of the
mussel in itself.
Muskrats are our most prolific fur bearers, producing from two to
three litters in a season, the first making its appearance in the
latter part of April or early May. The period of gestation requires
about forty-five days. The young of the early spring litters will
frequently rear one family during the same season. It is this progeny
of these young females that accounts for the numerous kitts (immature
muskrats) taken during the early part of the trapping season.
Considering the wonderful procreative powers of this little animal,
it appears that they would become as numerous as the proverbial "hair
on a dog's back," but they have many enemies, of which man with his
traps and firearms is the most deadly, with perhaps the mink a close
second. Many a time has the writer in his ramblings come onto a 'rat
house, which had a small round boring at the water-line, just large
enough to allow the long, slender body of a mink to pass through. To
the casual observer this would appear to be merely a hole, but to the
trained eye of the trapper it reveals a tale of woe. He knows that
here, during the long, tranquil hours of the night, another family of
muskrats was sacrificed to satisfy the flagrant craving of this
bloodthirsty member of the weasel tribe. When a mink enters a house
or burrow, in the aforesaid manner, the inhabitants flee by way of
the diving hole. If everything remains quiet, they will return, one
by one, to their home in a very few minutes. The crafty mink, knowing
the nature of the muskrat, crouches near the diving hole, remaining
very quiet, and bounces upon the poor, unsuspecting victims as they
emerge.
Occasionally a trapper may come upon the remains of a muskrat and,
following an investigation, cannot detect any clues as to the
identity of the assailant. When there are no telltale tracks about,
then it is safe to assume that the marauder was an owl or some other
bird of prey.
The otter, fox and coyote can also be listed as enemies of the
muskrat, as they too make an occasional capture.
With the above facts in mind, it can be easily understood that
approximately only fifty per cent of all muskrats born ever reach
maturity. In spite of all this, they manage to hold their own and are
found in fair numbers in the rat producing sections.
The animal instincts of the muskrat are not as keenly developed as
those of the designing fox or the wary mink. Unlike the beaver and
otter, it is not afraid of civilization and thrives in the most
thickly settled sections.
Nature in its entirety is wonderful. It is not unlike a vast panorama
of charm and beauty. Here we find the ancient law--the survival of
the fittest--a reality. Many people surmise the muskrat to be very
uninteresting. But those people who are willing to devote a little of
their time to the nocturnal study of the animal will surely
acknowledge it to be a very interesting little creature. Where can we
find the lover of nature whose heart would not be thrilled as we
quietly make our way along some moonlit stream in the late fall (this
being the time of year when 'rats are very busy) to get a glimpse at
the home life of this little fur bearer? As we approach the familiar
patch of cat-tail flags, we hear the persistent crunch-crunch-crunch
of tireless little jaws, as they grind away at the juicy morsel of
flag or water lily. We pause to listen, our little friend seems to be
no more than twenty feet away. Further upstream we hear another and
another in fact; the rushes seem to be alive with them. Some of them
are cutting down the stems of wild rice and flags, while others are
dragging the material away to build and repair their houses with it.
We stand motionless, as we discern a V-shaped streak of silvery lined
ripples playing on the moonlit waters, heading directly toward us
from the opposite shore. We know that the dark object at the head of
this undulating formation is a muskrat, evidently bound on joining
its friends at their feast in the rushes. Hark! There is a sudden
commotion in the flags, followed by a splash and a plunge; then all
is still, the grinding has ceased, the silvery ripples have faded
away and the water is smooth and reflectent, not unlike a great
mirror. We are surprised and wonder at the cause of the sudden alarm,
which drove the 'rats to the sheltering depths of the river. Had we
not remained perfectly quiet? We turn, just in time to see a
monstrous owl glide noiselessly by the moon.
[Illustration: Fig. 1]