GENERAL INFORMATION.
Early in September, 1906, the editor spent a couple of days at his
home in Southern Ohio, where in the '80's along and near a small
stream known as Kyger Creek, considerable trapping was done.
If readers are curious and have a good, large map of Ohio, and look
at the southern border, some fifty miles above the mouth of the
Scioto river, on a direct line or about double that by following the
winding of the river, they will find Kyger Creek. The stream is about
ten miles long and empties into the Ohio river below the village of
Cheshire. The country is rather rough and rocky, but the timber has
mainly disappeared.
A quarter of a century ago, opossum, muskrat, skunk, and fox were
more numerous than now. Mink at that time were few, but in the early
'80's they seemed to become fairly plentiful all at once. The high
price has caused considerable trapping, and their number has
decreased of recent years.
In trapping we found deadfalls, properly made, set and baited to be
an excellent trap for mink, skunk and opossum. As there were few coon
where we were trapping, but few were caught, yet an old trapper
nearby caught several in both deadfalls and steel traps each season.
There is no doubt but that a trapper who expects to remain months at
the same place should have a few deadfalls. These traps, like steel
traps, to make catches, do not depend upon numbers so much as correct
and careful construction and setting. A half dozen deadfalls located
at the right places, carefully built and properly set, are worth
probably as much as fifty carelessly constructed and located at
haphazard.
Some object to deadfalls because fox are seldom caught in them. It is
true that few fox are taken in deadfalls, although in the far North
some are, and especially Arctic and White fox.
The deadfall trapper, however, who gives care and attention to his
traps finds them fur takers. They can be built small for weasel or a
little larger for mink, marten and civet cat; or larger for opossum
and skunk; still heavier for coon and wild cat and even to a size
that kills bear.
Some trappers find the mink hard to catch. At some seasons they are
easy to take in deadfalls. Long in the '80's in five winters eight
mink were caught in one deadfall. The first winter one was caught;
second, two; third, three; fourth and fifth, each one.
If our memory serves us right, the trap was first built in the fall
of 1887, and was located on the bank about ten feet to the left of a
sycamore, which at that time was standing. There was a den under the
tree entering near the water, with an outlet on the bank only a few
feet from the trap, and near where the pen and bait were located.
This deadfall was built much like the illustration shown here. While
the fall was of hickory, not a vestige remained when looking at the
place in September, 1906.
The pen should be built strong and tight so that the animal will not
tear it to pieces and get at the bait from the rear. The "fall" or
top pole can be of any kind of wood, but hickory, oak, beech, maple,
and other heavy wood are all good. The pole should be heavy enough to
kill the animal without placing any weights on it. When building it
is a good idea to let the top pole extend about a couple of feet
beyond the pen. This will give more weight on the animal when the
trap falls.
[Illustration: A GOOD CATCHER.]
The two piece triggers may work hard, especially if the log used for
the fall has rough bark on. In this case it might be well to smooth
with your axe or hatchet. In setting with the two piece trigger make
them out of as hard wood as can be found. The long piece can be
slightly flattened on the under side, or the side on which the upper
end of the upright or prop sets. The prop should be cut square on the
lower end while the upper end might be a little rounding, as this
will tend to make the top or bait trigger slip off easier.
In setting raise up the top pole and hold in position with the knee.
This gives both hands free to adjust the triggers. When you think you
have them right, gradually let the weight off your knee and then try
the trigger. You will soon learn about how they are to be set.
The bait should be tied on or the bait trigger may have a prong on to
hold the bait. If you find the bait gone and the trap still up the
chances are that it was set too hard and the animal stole the bait.
Of late years in some sections, mice have been very troublesome,
eating the bait. In other places birds are bait stealers, and for
this reason it is best to set traps rather hard to throw.
The location of a deadfall has much to do with the catch. Old
trappers know if they were to set a steel trap in a place not
frequented by fur bearers that their catch would be next to nothing.
The same applies to all sets, whether steel traps, snares or
deadfalls.
In the illustration it will be noticed that the opening or the side
which the animal enters for bait is facing the creek. When building
these traps it will be found best to leave the open side toward the
water if trapping for mink or coon, as they generally leave the edge
of the water going directly to dens along and near the bank.
The under log in the deadfall shown does not extend but a few inches
beyond the two end stakes. It should extend eight or ten inches
beyond. The four stakes at pen must be of sufficient length that when
the trap is set they extend above the top or fall pole. If they did
not, the trap in falling, might catch on the end of one of the stakes
and not go down.
Along streams these traps need not be close. A couple to the mile is
plenty. Of course, if there are places where dens are numerous more
can be built to advantage, while along other stretches of water it
may be useless to build them at all. It all depends upon whether
animals travel there. You cannot catch them in any kind of trap if
they are not there.
For opossum, skunk, mink, civet cat, coon, ermine, etc., find where
the animals live or where they go frequently searching for food. If
building where there are dens, either locate within a few feet of the
one that appears best or just off the path that the animal takes in
going from one to the other. Have the open part next to path and say
only three feet off.
Marten trappers, while placing traps on high ground, do not pay so
much attention to dens and paths, for these animals spend much time
in trees looking for squirrels, birds, etc., but go through the
forest "spotting a line" and locate a deadfall in likely ground about
every 200 yards, or about 8 to the mile.