In trapping, attention to simple details is essential. Though the
mountain-lion trapper need not be so cautious about human scent as the
trapper of wolves or coyotes, it is well, when placing a trap, for
him to stand or kneel on a setting cloth, if for no other reason than
convenience. This cloth may be about 3 feet square and made of canvas,
slicker-coat material, or the skin of a sheep or calf. It will also help
to avoid disturbing the ground about the trap set. Excavated soil can
be placed on it, and that not needed in completing the work can thus be
easily removed. In addition, at the completion of a set, the trapping
equipment can be rolled up in it and carried away. Minor trapping details
include removing rust from traps, boiling them in water to eliminate the
conspicuous fresh odors noticed when they come from the manufacturer,
carefully repairing traps with faulty springs, taking care that the trap
pan moves freely on its post, and seeing that the jaws are adjusted to
close snugly and rapidly. Without attending carefully to minor details,
no farmer or stockmen can expect success in trapping America's prince of
predators--the mountain-lion.
[Illustration: Figure 4.--Devices to prevent capturing small
animals and birds in traps set for mountain-lions or other predators:
A, Fan supported by twig (grass or a light coil spring may be used); B,
splint support; C, forked-twig support; D, Biological Survey pan spring]
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