SEASON'S CATCH.
The reason that many trappers make small catches, each season, is
from the fact that they spend only an hour or so each day at
trapping, while at most other business the party devotes the entire
day. The trapper who looks out his grounds some weeks in advance of
the trapping season is not idling his time away. He should also have
a line of traps constructed in advance of the trapping season.
There is a fascination connected with trapping that fills one with a
strange feeling when all alone constructing deadfalls and snares or
on the rounds to see what success has been yours. I have often
visited traps of old trappers, where from two to five carcasses were
hanging from a nearby sapling.
There are several instances on record where two animals have been
caught in one deadfall at the same time. A well-known trapper of Ohio
claims to have caught three skunk in one deadfall at one time a few
years since. Whether such is an actual fact or not we are unable to
say. The cases on record where two animals have been caught are so
well substantiated that there is little room left to doubt the truth
of same.
The catching of two animals at the same time is not such an
extraordinary occurrence as many, at first, think. If two animals
should come along at the same time and, smelling the bait, begin a
meal, the result is easily seen.
While trapping with deadfalls is a humane way of catching fur-bearing
animals, another thing in their favor is that skunk are usually
killed without "perfuming" themselves, trap and trapper as well.
Then, again, if once caught, there is no getting away.
Trappers in the forest always have the necessary tools, axe or heavy
hatchet and knife, with which to build a deadfall, while their steel
traps may all be exhausted and none set within miles. A deadfall is
built and perhaps on the trapper's return an animal is lying dead
between the poles.
* * *
During extreme cold weather there is but little use to look at traps
set for skunk, raccoon, etc., as they do not travel. Before a thaw or
warm spell the entire line should be gone over and all old bait
removed and replaced with fresh bait.
Like many another trapper you will visit your traps time after time
without catching much if any fur, yet if your traps are properly
constructed and are spread over a large area, you will catch
considerable fur during the season.
Deadfalls and snares can be strung out for miles and while they
should be looked at every other day, in good trapping weather, they
can be neglected, if the trapper cannot get around more than twice a
week, without game escaping. If you visit your traps frequently there
will be no loss from injury to fur. While it is true, should a small
animal be caught in a heavy trap, one built for much larger game, it
will be considerably flattened out, yet the skin or fur is not
damaged. There is nothing to damage your catch, in most sections,
unless you do not visit your traps often enough in warm weather, when
they may be faintly tainted. Most trapping is done, however, in cool
weather, but occasionally there may come a warm spell when skins
become tainted. If found in such condition skin as soon as possible
and place upon boards or stretchers.
Another thing greatly to the advantage of the deadfall and snare
trapper is the fact that a trapper never knows just when he will be
able to visit his traps again; the unexpected often happens, and
should it be a day or so longer than expected the deadfall or snare
still securely holds the game.
As all experienced trappers know, the first night of a cold spell is
a splendid one for animals to travel (they seem forewarned about the
weather) and a good catch is the result. If the trapper is a "weather
prophet" his traps are all freshly baited and in order, for this is
the time that game is on the move--often looking up new and warm dens
and generally hungry. Should the next days be cold and stormy the
trapper should get over the line as promptly as possible. After once
getting over the line after the "cold spell," it is not so important
that traps be looked at for some days again.
The successful trapper will always be on the watch of the weather.
Some animals, it is true, travel during the coldest weather, but
there are many that do not, so that the trapper who sees that his
deadfalls are freshly baited when the signs point to warmer weather.
After days and nights of severe weather most animals are hungry and
when the weather moderates they are on the move.
* * *
"I have more than one hundred deadfalls and catch large numbers of
skunk," writes a Connecticut trapper. "A few years ago a trapper
within two miles of here caught more than 60 coon in deadfalls. Since
then coon have been rather scarce, but I am going to try them this
coming fall. I prefer red squirrel for skunk bait to anything else,
and extract of valerian for scent. Try it, trapper--it can't be beat.
I have used it for twenty years and can catch my share every time."
* * *
The trapper that makes the largest catches usually is the one that
has deadfalls and snares in addition to steel traps. Recently two
trappers wrote of their season's catch and added that a good
proportion was caught in deadfalls and snares. These trappers were
located in Western Canada; marten 54, lynx 12, mink 19, ermine 71,
wild cat 11, foxes 18.
While these trappers did not say, it is presumed that the foxes were
caught in snares or steel traps, for it is seldom that one is caught
in a deadfall. In Canada and the New England States, where foxes are
plentiful, the snare is used to a considerable extent.
Skunk, mink, ermine, weasel and opossum are easily caught in
deadfalls. One trapper in a southern state is said to have caught 94
mink, besides 38 coon and 57 opossum, in 28 deadfalls, from November
25th to February 25th, or three months.