TRIP TRIGGERS.
The deadfall shown here can be used at dens or in paths where animals
travel frequently. When set across the entrance of dens it will catch
an animal going in without bait. That is, it will catch an animal
going in, as the triggers are so constructed that they can only be
pushed towards the bait as shown in illustration. If the trap is to
be used at dens without bait the regular figure 4 triggers had best
be used, but set extending along the log instead of back into the
pen. An animal in entering will strike the trigger and down comes the
fall.
The trap shown here and the triggers are made as follows: Cut two
logs and lay one on the ground. This log should be at least four feet
long. Place it firmly on the ground with flat side up. This log need
not be as flat as shown in illustration, but should be flattened
slightly. Drive two stakes three feet long within a foot or so of one
end (8) and (9).
Now come to the other end and drive two more (10) and (11). Stake ten
which is directly opposite from (11) you want to be careful not to
split, as one of the triggers rests on it. The fall is now placed in
position, that is the upper log. The end of this is split and a stake
driven in the ground so that the fall will not turn between the
stakes but is held firmly. See that the fall will work easily up and
down; that the stakes are not so close together that the fall binds,
yet it wants to fit snugly.
[Illustration: ANIMAL ENTERING TRIP DEADFALL.]
Cut trip stick (4) and trigger (3), lifting the fall up with one knee
and place end of (3) onto (4) slightly, so that a small pressure on
(4) will spring the trap. After you have the trap set spring it to
see that it works all right. If the trap works all right and you are
setting across the entrance of a den the pen of course is not wanted.
If you are setting in paths or near dens, drive stakes in a
semi-circle as shown in illustration, but the stakes should stick
above the ground some eighteen inches or about as high as the "fall"
pole when set. It is a good plan to throw leaves or grass on the
stakes.
A small notch (5) should be cut in upright post (8) for trip stick to
fit in to hold it up to that end. Be careful, however, that this
notch is not cut too deep. The bait (6) is placed back in the pen and
fastened with wire or a stake driven thru it into the ground. The
open space over bait is now covered over and the entire trap can be
made to not look so suspicious by cutting brush and throwing over it
excepting in front of the bait. An animal in going in for bait steps
on or pushes the long stick (marked 4 at one end and 5 at the other)
off of (3) and is usually caught.
* * *
This is another good trip trigger deadfall. A short log should be
laid on the ground and the two stakes driven opposite each other as
in the trap just described. These stakes are not shown, as a better
view of the triggers and workings of the trap can be had by omitting
these.
In the illustration the "fall" pole is weighted, but it is best to
have the pole heavy enough and not weighted. The stakes on which the
upper or cross piece is nailed should be from twelve to eighteen
inches apart. The cross piece need not be heavy, yet should be strong
so that the weight of the fall will not bend it.
[Illustration: TRIP TRIGGER FALL.]
The pens or enclosures used cannot be covered, as this would
interfere with the workings of the triggers. If the pen is sixteen
inches or higher very few animals will climb over to get bait, but
will go in where the trapper wants and if properly made and set are
apt to catch the game.
* * *
Along in the late seventies or beginning of the eighties, when a good
sized muskrat would bring about as much as a common prime mink, and a
steel trap was quite a prize to be in possession of, I had perhaps
two dozen traps, some old fashioned, that would be quite a curiosity
at present, besides a few Newhouse No. 0 and 1.
That was in Ontario, Canada. Skunk, mink, coon, muskrat and fox were
the furs in that part, Waterloo, Brant and Oxford Counties. Later I
used this deadfall with success in Iowa and other sections, so that
there is no doubt but that it will be found a good fur catcher in
most localities.
I used to catch a great deal with deadfalls,--picture of which I here
enclose. I have seen nearly all the different makes of deadfalls and
have tried some of them, but the one I here send you the picture of,
which can be easily understood, is the one I have had the most
success with. I believe they are the best, and an animal can't get at
the bait without striking it off, besides some animals will examine a
bait without touching it. This deadfall, if they are curious enough
just to enter inside and put their foot on the trigger stick, they
are yours if the trap is set properly.
[Illustration: CANADIAN TRIP FALL.]
This style of deadfall can be successfully, used over skunk holes,
game runways and there you do away with the bait yard. This style of
trap is much easier made, as it requires very little skill. Just a
few straight sticks about the size round of a cane, a little twine.
You can catch most any animal from a weasel to a raccoon. The
illustration shows the "fall" or upper pole weighted. In our
experience we have found it more satisfactory to have the "fall"
heavy enough to kill the animal without the weight. It is often hard
for the trapper to find a pole of the right size and weight for the
"fall" and the next best way is to place additional weight as shown.
* * *
First make a pen in the form of a wigwam, driving stakes well into
the ground to keep the animal away from the rear of the trap. It
should be open on one side. Place a short log in front of the opening
and at both ends of this drive stakes to hold it in place and for the
long log to work up and down in. The top log should be six or eight
feet long, according to size of animal you aim to use trap for, and
about the same size as the bottom log. Cut a forked stick about 12
inches long for the bait stick, notching one end and tapering the
other as shown in Fig. No. 2. A stick 24 inches long should then be
cut and flattened at both ends.
[Illustration: THE TURN TRIGGER.]
To set the trap, raise one end of the upper log and stick one end of
the flattened stick under it, resting it upon the top of the stake on
the outside of the log. Place the bait stick, point downward, inside
the pen upon a chip of wood or rock to keep it from sinking into the
ground and set flat stick in the notch. When the animal pulls at the
bait it turns the bait stake and throws the cross piece out of the
notch of the bait stick and let the top log fall.