initial commit of ebook 34076HEADmain

1 files changed, 3696 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/34076.txt b/34076.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fabe733
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34076.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3696 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fox Trapping, by A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fox Trapping
+       A Book of Instruction Telling How to Trap, Snare, Poison
+       and Shoot - A Valuable Book for Trappers
+
+Author: A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding
+
+Release Date: October 15, 2010 [EBook #34076]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOX TRAPPING ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Linda M. Everhart, Blairstown, Missouri
+
+
+
+
+FOX TRAPPING
+
+  [Frontispiece: FALL CATCH]
+
+
+
+FOX TRAPPING
+
+A Book of Instruction Telling How
+to Trap, Snare, Poison and Shoot
+A Valuable Book for Trappers
+
+EDITED BY
+A. R. HARDING
+
+Published by
+A. R. HARDING PUB. CO.
+COLUMBUS, OHIO
+
+Copyright, 1906
+By A. R. HARDING
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+  I. General Information
+  II. Baits and Scents
+  III. Foxes and Odor
+  IV. Chaff Method, Scent
+  V. Traps and Hints
+  VI. All Round Land Set
+  VII. Snow Set
+  VIII. Trapping Red Fox
+  IX. Red and Grey
+  X. Wire and Twine Snare
+  XI. Trap, Snare, Shooting and Poison
+  XII. My First Fox
+  XIII. Tennessee Trapper's Method
+  XIV. Many Good Methods
+  XV. Fred and the Old Trapper
+  XVI. Experienced Trapper's Tricks
+  XVII. Reynard Outwitted
+  XVIII. Fox Shooting
+  XIX. A Shrewd Fox
+  XX. Still Hunting The Fox
+  XXI. Fox Ranches
+  XXII. Steel Traps
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+  Fall Catch
+  Almost Dry Enough To Turn
+  Vermont Hunter and Fox Skins
+  Left for the Foxes to Devour
+  A Good Runner
+  Some Pet Foxes
+  Silver and Black Fox Skins
+  Live Silver Fox
+  November Catch
+  Awaiting the Trapper
+  After the Chase
+  Trap and Grapnel
+  Caught in Maine
+  Caught by a Missouri Trapper
+  White Fox Skins
+  A Rhode Island Scene
+  Grey Fox
+  Sacking Foxes
+  Wire or Twine Snare
+  The Wire Loop
+  Spring Pole Snare
+  The Runway Snare Set
+  Some Canadian Reds
+  Caught in a No. 1
+  Caught on His Own Farm
+  Tennessee Trapper and Traps
+  Thirty Silver Fox Skins worth $5000
+  California Trapper Visiting Traps
+  Pennsylvania Fox Trapper's Cabin
+  New England Trapper's Catch
+  Pack of New England Fox Hounds
+  The Spring and Sod Set
+  Odorless and White as Snow
+  Canadian Trapper and Fifteen Reds
+  Adirondack Trapper
+  Fox Traps with Drags
+  Killed Before Breakfast
+  Result of a Three Day's Hunt
+  Always Hungry
+  Black Fox Skin Valued at $1500
+  Northern Fox Trapper's Dog Team
+  Fox and Other Steel Traps
+
+  [Illustration: A. R. Harding]
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY.
+
+If all the methods as given in this book had been studied out by one
+man and he began trapping when Columbus discovered America, more than
+four hundred years ago, he would not be half completed.
+
+The methods given on the following pages are principally taken from
+articles published in the H-T-T, and as the writers give their own
+most successful methods, the trapper of little experience with fox
+will find them of great value.
+
+Their articles are from all parts of America, so that trappers from
+any section will find a method or methods that can be used. The red
+fox is the one most sets describe, yet what is a good method for one
+species is apt to be for others.
+
+A. R. HARDING.
+
+
+
+FOX TRAPPING
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+GENERAL INFORMATION.
+
+Foxes are found in all parts of America, but probably most numerous
+in the New England States and parts of Canada. The range of the red
+is from Virginia to Alaska; grey, Southern and Southwestern States;
+cross, Northern New Jersey to Manitoba; black, Alaska, and the
+territories several hundred miles to the South and East; swift, the
+prairies or Great Plains; white and blue, the Arctic Regions.
+
+While their fur has been one of value for many, many years, and they
+have been hunted, trapped and snared, yet their numbers are holding
+up remarkably well owing to their shrewdness. While many tricks are
+claimed for foxes that they never did, yet they are very cunning
+animals and also fleet on foot.
+
+In hilly and mountainous countries they travel much on the highest
+ground, and have regular "crossings," where the experienced hunter or
+trapper often makes a kill or catch.
+
+Foxes are carnivorous--living on flesh. Their principal food consists
+of rabbits, squirrels, mice, birds, bugs, eggs, etc. In some places
+where the food named is not plenty they visit creeks, lakes and ponds
+hunting crabs and fish. While they prefer fresh meat, they take stale
+and even decayed meats in severe weather.
+
+Most wild animals can be attracted a short distance by "scent" or
+"decoy," and the fox is one of them. Several good recipts for scent
+are given, but if there are no foxes in your neighborhood you can use
+all the "scents" and "decoys" you wish on a hundred traps all season
+without making a catch. There is no "decoy" that will attract a fox a
+mile, but there are some that are good. That many of the writers made
+good catches is bourn out by the various photographs, and in some
+instances by personal visits by the author to the trapper.
+
+Foxes should not be trapped or shot until cold weather. In the states
+bordering on Canada about November 1st, while to the north they
+become prime sooner, while to the south they do not become prime
+until later.
+
+The pelt should be cased, that is skinned without ripping, and drawn
+upon a board. Several tacks or small nails can be used to hold the
+skin in place. Leave on the board only two to five days, according to
+the weather. When removed, turn fur side out. In drying, keep in a
+cool shady place and free from smoke. The number caught and killed
+annually is not known, but of the various kinds--red, grey, cross,
+white, etc.--it is several hundred thousand.
+
+  [Illustration: ALMOST DRY ENOUGH TO TURN.]
+
+The following letters cover trapping and snaring pretty thoroughly,
+and all who read carefully and set their traps according to
+directions (if there are any foxes) will probably be successful.
+While the No. 2 Newhouse, which is a double spring, is known as the
+fox trap, the No. 1 1/2 single spring will hold the animal. We have
+known of several instances where fine "reds" were caught in a No. 1
+trap. In those instances, however, the trap was fastened to a loose
+brush and every time the fox made a lunge the brush gave. In using
+the larger size, we advise using a brush or clog that will give with
+every pull or jump of the fox. Traps should be visited every other
+day, if possible, but never go only near enough to see that nothing
+has been disturbed.
+
+Owing to the wide distribution of the fox and the fact that they
+often have crossings near buildings so that their tracks are seen,
+etc., makes many inexperienced trappers think the number of animals
+larger than it really is. The fact that foxes travel during the
+coldest weather as well as any other time, gives the trapper an
+opportunity to show his skill when such animals as bear, coon, skunk,
+opossum and muskrat are "denned up." Fox skins at such times are at
+their best.
+
+As mentioned elsewhere, the greater per cent of the methods published
+in this book are taken from the Hunter-Trader-Trapper, an illustrated
+monthly magazine, of Columbus, Ohio, devoted to Hunting, trapping and
+raw furs. New trapping methods are constantly being published in that
+magazine, as experienced trappers from all parts of North America
+read and write for it.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+BAITS AND SCENTS.
+
+I prefer cat or muskrat for bait, says G. W. Asha. Cut it in pieces
+as large as an egg, place it in a perfectly clean can, zinc, screw
+cover, place it in the sun, allowing the bait to taint. This must be
+done in July or August, or can be done about two weeks before using.
+In regard to using scents, many don't believe scent is a help to
+trappers, but I'm one that believes in scent, because if there's a
+heavy rain storm it takes the scent from the bait. If a little scent
+is added, your bait is fresh again. Even heavy frosts have the same
+effect in this case. You have seen advertisements saying that scents
+will call an animal a mile. Don't take any stock in it, because any
+animal can't smell at the most only a few hundred feet away if the
+wind is right, not half as far if the wind is not right.
+
+If any of you are beginners trapping fox, scent is a great help, if
+you happen to tuck anything around the trap that have effect, if a
+little scent is added. A fox can smell only one thing at a time. If
+the scent is stronger than human scent, they will not smell the human
+scent. Too many accidents in this way have their effect because the
+fox is a forest animal in existence. I use for fall trapping the fox
+pure skunk glands and pure strained honey (not sugar fed honey) but
+clover or flower honey. Winter scent, pure matrix from the female fox
+taken in the running season during the heat, a little muskrat musk
+and pure strained honey. This scent attracts the male fox and is the
+strongest scent in existence.
+
+  [Illustration: VERMONT HUNTER AND FOX SKINS.]
+
+Here is a first class fox decoy which can be made very easily, write
+Irving Brown, of Vermont. Take one half pint of skunk oil and the
+musk glands of a muskrat and one scent bag of a skunk, and you have
+the celebrated scent of Schofield, one of the first water set fox
+trappers in the East. This should be made in spring, but it is all
+right made at any time. It is not the best scent, however, but it is
+a most excellent one.
+
+Here is the secret of the best and it is hard to prepare because you
+cannot get the female fox in the running season, which is February or
+March, in this climate very easily. Take the matrix of a female fox
+taken in the running season or, in other words, cut out the entire
+sexual organs and place them in a pint of alcohol, and the result
+will be the best scent ever made. Some do not use alcohol but salt
+the matrix. This is the scent you will buy the secret for $5.00, and
+you will be told that foxes are just crazy to get it. This is in a
+measure true, but a red fox will not step into a trap unless you use
+care in setting it, with any kind of scent. I don't care how frantic
+a fox is to get at the bait. They don't commit suicide if they know
+it.
+
+There are many other ways to prepare for both mink and fox, all of
+them possessing merit, but my aim is to give the best, not those
+which are no use to the trapper. The more simple, as a rule, are the
+best. Some trappers are opposed to the use of scent, but you will
+find that man far behind others. The capture of fur bearing animals
+has become a science, as mink and fox become more wary so does man
+become more skillful in overcoming their shyness. We hear lots of
+secrets that were learned of the Indians. No doubt they had some good
+ones too, but the white trapper in the same place will outdistance
+any Indian I have ever seen or heard of. My experience among those
+people is that they are too lazy to use the care that a white man
+will use in either setting traps or stretching skins.
+
+  * * *
+
+I have had a fox get into my snowshoes tracks and follow a long way
+because it was better traveling, says M. H. McAllister. Now that
+shows he was not afraid of human scent. Now about iron. How often
+does a fox go through a wire fence, or go near an old sugar house
+where there are iron gates? That shows he is not afraid of scent of
+iron.
+
+Once there was an old trapper here, and the young men wanted him to
+show them how to set a fox trap, and he told them he would. So he got
+them out to show them how, and this is what he told them: "Remove all
+suspicion and lay a great temptation." Well, there it is. Now, in
+order to remove all suspicion you must remove all things that are not
+natural. A man's tracks and where he has been digging around with a
+spade or with his hands are not natural around a spring, are they?
+No. Well then, there is where the human scent question comes in. By
+instinct he is shown that man is his enemy, and when a man has pawed
+the bait over he uses his sense and knows that there is danger, for
+it is not natural.
+
+  [Illustration: LEFT FOR THE FOXES TO DEVOUR.]
+
+Now I have a question at hand. In one place he is not afraid and
+around the trap he is afraid. Now, how does he know when to be afraid
+or not? I think because when he sees a piece of bait in a new place
+it is not natural. Once last winter I knew where there was a dead
+horse and I used to go by it, and one day my brother was with me and
+of course he knew I could get a fox there, so to please him I set a
+trap, and not another fox came near. Well I smoked that trap, boiled
+it in hemlock and then smeared it with tallow, but the fox knew and
+never came within ten feet of it again, when they were coming every
+night before. When I went by there before I set my trap I left as
+much scent as after, and how could he tell when there was a foot of
+snow blown there by the wind after I set my trap.
+
+Now they don't appear to be afraid of human scent or iron in some
+places and around a trap they are, so now why should they know where
+to be shy? Well, because it may be in an unnatural place, unless it
+is instinct or good sharp sense. As for scent, I know that rotten
+eggs and onions are not natural, although the matrix of the female
+fox in the running season is very good. Also such as skunk or muskrat
+scent or fish, as it smells rotten and makes a strong smell.
+
+One word to the novice fox trapper, and I will leave space for
+something more valuable. You must make things look natural around the
+spring and smell natural, and put before them the food that God has
+provided for them, and you will have success by placing the trap in
+the mud of the spring, and putting a sod on the pan of the trap that
+has not been handled by the hand of a human being.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+FOXES AND ODOR.
+
+Last winter I could not trap much because the river along which I do
+my trapping and the woods all around were full of lumbermen, and I
+was afraid my traps would be stolen. I did a little experimenting on
+foxes in their relations to the odor of man and iron, says Omer
+Carmerk, of Quebec.
+
+The results of my experiences confirmed my previous observation that
+foxes are not afraid of the odor of iron, neither of the odor of man,
+but mighty suspicious of a bait connected with both odors. I made a
+trail about two miles long, scattered about it pieces of meat,
+chicken, rabbit, cheese, etc. I dragged a dead chicken, but I set no
+trap. Prior to my baiting the trail foxes were crossing it and
+following it without hesitation, but after I had put out the bait not
+a fox had ventured to cross that trail again.
+
+One day I saw where a fox had come near the trail, stopped, wheeled
+about and bounded off like a frightened deer. Another day, a fox
+tried to cross it at three different places but could not summon up
+enough courage, and at last, by making a long detour he crossed it at
+a place where there was no bait, not 20 yards from my cabin. One time
+a fox walked parallel to the trail several rods, then came nearer to
+it, stopped and turned back at full speed. The same foxes which were
+so afraid of my trail were going every night on the public road to
+eat horses.
+
+  [Illustration: A GOOD RUNNER.]
+
+I will now relate one instance showing that the foxes smell traps.
+One day I chopped a chicken on a log. I threw the big pieces in the
+middle of three traps I had set the week before and left many small
+pieces on the log. The day after the snow around and on the log was
+all tramped down by foxes. One fox walked towards the big piece of
+meat, and when about two inches from a trap he stopped and turned
+back. I have no doubt he smelled the trap. When the traps are in the
+snow or wet ground the oxidation of iron produces a peculiar odor
+noticeable even to the human nostrils.
+
+One day I was going to look at a trap in a swamp road. My dog was
+trotting ahead of me, and when about ten feet from the trap he
+stopped and turned around. He detected the odor of the trap for he
+had not seen me set it, and he had good reasons to avoid it because
+when young he had often been pinched.
+
+Perhaps my experience does not harmonize with that of other trappers,
+but the ways of foxes as well as other animals are much influenced by
+their surroundings. I have observed that foxes frequenting the
+neighborhood of farms are less suspicious than those living in the
+deep woods.
+
+  * * *
+
+For years, says a Southern trapper, I have invariably caught my fox,
+whether in a path, water or bait set; but can I swear my success is
+attributable to my extreme precaution? I always smoke traps to kill
+the smell of iron then handle them and everything around the setting
+with gloves, to erase human scent.
+
+I have found the summer and early fall months the best time to locate
+the haunts of the fox, as they are sure to use the same territory in
+the winter season. While on one of my recent investigating tours, a
+few days after a rain, I observed some facts that will be
+interesting.
+
+I struck an old road running through a farm, and readily noticed some
+fox tracks. Naturally I followed on and found they led under a wheat
+harvester, which had been recently left in the road and on under an
+iron gate, into the pasture beyond. All know that a harvester is
+largely constructed of iron and steel. Now if the fox is so afraid of
+this metal, as is supposed, does it seem reasonable that he would
+walk under such a mass of iron, or under an iron gate?
+
+In fox trapping the smoking and smearing process is advocated as well
+as the handling with gloves and concealing under the ground. In the
+light of my observations, are all these precautions absolutely
+necessary? On this same trip, in question, I noticed a fox track, and
+as usual followed it. To my surprise the animal went within a hair's
+breadth of a plow, passing right on, seemingly not either to care for
+red paint or iron construction.
+
+How is it, fox trappers? Does the iron and steel used in farm
+implements differ from that used in steel traps, so that the latter
+must be handled with such care as is advocated by many of the
+trapper's profession? Or is it the covering of the trap with earth
+that arouses suspicion?
+
+A red or grey fox will cross through or under a wire fence over the
+public highway at night, although the roads are continually traversed
+by the iron bound shoes of the horse. Even the tracks of man are
+visible here yet we, when trapping, brush out our tracks with great
+care.
+
+I have known a fox to follow where a plow has been dragged and have
+seen his tracks in the iron marked groove, just made by the locked
+wheel of a wagon.
+
+Considering these facts, does it seem possible that the fox has so
+great an antipathy to iron and to the human scent as supposed? (We
+believe that the conditions under which these are found have much to
+do with the foxes shrewdness. A wagon wheel or binder never caught a
+fox, but the scent coming from a trap--well that is different. Coming
+down to this would appear that the fox has some reasoning power or
+intellect.--Editor.)
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+CHAFF METHOD, SCENT.
+
+Get some chaff, a bushel will do, and put it out in some good place
+where there are foxes, writes a Maine trapper, J. F. Miller. Put some
+small pieces of meat in the chaff, (skunk, muskrat or cat is good),
+and take a shingle and pound the bed down solid all over. Don't have
+any soft place in the bed, and don't handle any of the chaff with
+bare hands, or the bait either. Leave it in this shape until you go
+on, then get your trap ready to set, but you want your trap clean and
+free from rust, and this is a good way to do. Scrape with an old
+knife, then use a clean pan and boil in clean water for twenty
+minutes, and no fox can smell your trap. Set in edge of bed and cover
+in good shape, and make it look as natural as possible, and don't
+walk all around in snow, stand in one place and walk in same tracks
+when you visit this place, and don't go only every other day.
+
+Now I will tell you of a good way to make a scent that will draw a
+fox to a trap. It will draw a fox a number of yards, but it will not
+draw them one mile or one half mile, and I doubt if it will one
+fourth mile, or any other scent that was ever made or ever will be.
+That is my idea of scents, but I know that they are good to draw
+animals to traps; they are like methods, some are better than others.
+This is not the best, but it is good. Take a cat, skunk and muskrat
+in April, dress them and chop them up fine and put them all in a
+glass jar. Put cover on and set them where it is warm so they will
+rot in good shape, and in the fall add a little fish oil and you will
+have something that will smell right loud.
+
+  [Illustration: SOME PET FOXES.]
+
+Most anything that will smell strong is good scent, but no matter how
+good your bait and scent is, you must have the trap so the fox can't
+smell it, and know how and where to set it. Don't forget to set your
+trap where there are foxes. This is one thing to keep in mind, always
+set where you see signs. Some think they can set a trap any old way
+and place, and ought to make a catch, and then get discouraged. If
+you don't get your game the first night try again and keep right on
+trying; it is courage and grit that makes a successful trapper. Look
+for signs whenever you are in the woods, and study them and the
+animals that you want to catch. I always look up places in summer,
+and when the time comes to set traps I know just where every trap is
+going and how many I want.
+
+I tried a great many times to catch a fox before I was successful. I
+remember one time I got an old horse for fox bait in winter, and put
+him in a good place. We had a snow storm a few days afterwards, and
+boylike I started with my rabbit dog and gun to look for rabbits and
+to take a look at my old horse to see if the foxes had begun to feed
+on him, and when I got to him he was a sight to behold. The snow was
+all trodden down solid around him where they had circled and stood
+around and fed on him. That was too much for me. It took the rabbit
+fever all out of me for that day, and I started for home to get six
+No. 2 1/2 Newhouse traps to set around the horse, and I could not get
+home quick enough to suit me.
+
+I had always wanted to catch a fox so bad and I thought the time had
+come. I set them as well as I could and covered them up good, as I
+thought, and went home. It seemed to me that morning would never
+come. I knew I was going to have a fox, so I was up early and started
+after it. When I got almost to the bait I saw new tracks going
+towards the horse and that made my heart beat a little faster, as I
+was sure I had one, but they had gone as near as three feet and that
+was as near as they would go. They knew the traps were there as well
+as I did, and they never went there as long as my traps were set.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+TRAPS AND HINTS.
+
+My idea is that manufacturers make traps too strong for the animal it
+is made for, says C. F. Keith. Now the No. 2 is too strong for fox,
+and also it is very hard to conceal from view.
+
+Of course if you get a fox in a No. 2 you are more sure than if he is
+caught in a No. 1 1/2 or smaller. I use the No. 1 1/2 Newhouse for
+fox and I find it the best fox trap made. I have also used the Jump
+and the Blake & Lamb, but I do not like them as well. Some trappers
+think that the Blake & Lamb are the best mink traps made. I beg leave
+to differ with them, for the simple reason that I have lost many a
+mink by the trap cutting off the leg and the mink escaping, which
+never happens with the Newhouse.
+
+The Blake & Lamb trap are, without doubt, the best trap to conceal,
+but when it comes to be the best trap it is not in it with the
+Newhouse. I think if trappers would use long chains when using clogs,
+they would have better luck in trapping the fox. The kind of traps I
+use are the No. 1 1/2 Newhouse for fox, with four foot chains. When I
+first began to trap fox I used cheap traps, and many a fox have I
+lost by not knowing enough to use good traps. By all means, trappers,
+buy good traps in the first place and you will not be sorry.
+
+  [Illustration: SILVER AND BLACK FOX SKINS.]
+
+Now let me first give you a few pointers on fox trapping. First,
+forget everything you have bought from humbugs and use common sense;
+second, study the habits of the fox and you will have better success.
+Third, be sure and have your traps in proper shape so the fox can't
+smell the iron; fourth, be careful in making a set, use the wooden
+paddle or gloved hand in placing dirt over trap; fifth, be sure that
+your bait is not scented with human scent, and use cat, skunk, or
+muskrat scents.
+
+I have bought scent for many years, but the best scent I can find is
+skunk essence or oil of anise. Skunk essence and honey equal parts,
+but never use skunk essence in early winter, as it will be a failure.
+I have trapped fox for many years and I am very successful and lucky,
+and every fall I believe I learn something.
+
+Another thing, never get discouraged, for it is grit that counts.
+When a fox turns the trap over reset it and place another trap in the
+bed, and you are liable to catch him the first night, but if this
+fails, turn trap bottom side up and he will get fooled, sometimes,
+not always, for fox trapping is uncertain.
+
+In the first place, when an animal gets into a trap he tears around
+for a while, says G. F. Moon, of Dakota, and if the trap be lightly
+clogged so he can move around, the trapper most generally finds his
+game when he visits the traps. On the other hand, let the trap get
+fastened solid and the animal sets his reasoning powers to work; he
+finds out that he can chew from the under side of the jaws of the
+trap, and that too without giving himself any pain, and finds that he
+can easily slip the trap off from the stump of his leg.
+
+Man has been known to do the same thing, when by accident he has been
+caught by the leg by a tree or a large rock falling on him. Surely
+the animal showed as much reason as the man. I once had a large fox
+trap set in a hollow log. The log was about the size of a barrel. A
+she fox got into the trap, and as the trap was a good bit out of the
+way I did not visit it for several days. When I did visit the trap
+the snow was all tramped down by foxes around the log and on the
+inside of the log by the fox in the trap. There were the remains of
+several rabbits and one whole rabbit fresh killed, one fresh killed
+quail and feathers enough to have been on a couple more quail. Now
+the question arises, "Did the other foxes let instinct guide them to
+feed the unfortunate fox in the trap? Or did they use their power of
+reason?" I leave that for others to answer.
+
+  [Illustration: LIVE SILVER FOX.]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+ALL ROUND LAND SET.
+
+I have made a close study of the red fox for years and the all round
+land set is one of my best and latest sets, says J. H. Shufelt, of
+Canada. First used last year and took 15 red foxes, and when properly
+and carefully set, is the most killing method I ever used.
+
+How to make the scent--This scent should be made in August, of house
+cat, muskrat or skunk, chopped fine and put in a two quart glass jar
+and sealed until it forms a liquid, and should fill the jar
+two-thirds full. Two weeks before using put in the musk of one skunk, one
+oz. oil of amber, and enough skunk oil to nearly fill the jar; get a
+new paint brush, a small one will do, and see that it is clean, to
+use scent with, and it should be kept in the jar.
+
+How to fix trap--I prefer a waxed trap. I find a smoked trap will
+rust on the under side after setting about a week. It's not so with a
+waxed trap. If properly waxed, water will not rust them. Take a large
+kettle of hot water and keep it boiling hot. Melt your beeswax in a
+cup or dish and pour on the water; now take your traps, six at a
+time, and dip them, and the wax will adhere to them; just leave the
+traps in the water long enough to warm them a little, when the wax
+will spread evenly over them; drain over kettle and hang up to dry a
+week before using. One half pound of wax is sufficient for three
+dozen traps and chains and will last one trapping season.
+
+  [Illustration: NOVEMBER CATCH.]
+
+How to set the trap--I use rubber boots and set in the morning when
+the dew is on the grass or on a wet day. The set should be made near
+the foxes' runways or on high ground; dig out a place the size of
+your trap, take something with you to put the trap and dirt on--for
+this purpose I use a piece of oil cloth, two feet square--fill all
+around outside of your trap with fine dirt, and put a large leaf over
+your trap. I use a large leaf from a first growth basswood. As soon
+as they fall from the tree I gather them and lay them flat together
+in the mud until I want them to use. Why I prefer this particular
+kind of leaf is, they grow so large that one leaf covers the trap.
+After the leaf is over your trap cover with fine dirt or something
+that must be in keeping with the surroundings. Now stand in one place
+and take your brush from the jar and paint a circle about two feet in
+diameter, the width of your brush on the grass all around your trap.
+This should be repeated once or twice a week, especially after a
+heavy rain storm. Nothing can steal your bait, John Sneak'um cannot
+locate your trap.
+
+When visiting your traps carry an extra trap along, and when you make
+a catch set a clean trap by exchanging traps; always clean your trap
+after making a catch before setting again. Now boys, start in right,
+by using a good trap with a large pan, one that can be easily
+concealed. Don't try to catch a fox with a weak trap, for you will
+only be disappointed and at the same time be educating another fox,
+and he will make the rest shy, for they often travel in pairs. When
+making your sets, don't disturb anything around the place nor use a
+bush drag where there hasn't been one, for the fox is quick to
+notice. Use a grapple that can be concealed under your trap. Just try
+and see how slick a set you can make and try and learn the habits of
+the animal you are trying to catch, for that is the key to success.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+SNOW SETS.
+
+Much has been said pro and con relative to trapping that most wary of
+our wild animals, the red fox. A few incidents pertaining thereto
+that have come under my observation may be worthy of mention, says J.
+A. Newton, of Michigan.
+
+There are practically three conditions under which trapping the fox
+may be done. First, by setting in beds, so called, of dry chaff or
+ashes before snow falls; secondly, in snow during the coldest
+weather, and lastly spring water setting as some writers have
+described.
+
+I shall confine myself to the two first mentioned conditions. In the
+first instance a spread of chaff or ashes covering three or four feet
+of space is made where foxes are known to travel. As a rule the most
+acceptable bait is lard scraps, suet, smoked meat rinds, etc. These
+are scattered in small bits in the bed, and as a lure nothing can be
+more efficacious than a few drops sprinkled in the bed composed of
+the female fox gland taken in the rutting season that has been
+dissolved in alcohol. It must be kept tightly corked. The same taken
+from the female dog at this period is about as potent.
+
+The traps must first be thoroughly smoked with some resinous twigs or
+corn cob, or be boiled in ashes to eradicate the scent of iron, rust,
+and of other game that has been caught. After this do not handle
+traps or bait except with gloves.
+
+  [Illustration: AWAITING THE TRAPPER.]
+
+All old trappers in my section bait a fox a few nights before placing
+the trap, as the more visits Reynard makes to the bed, and devouring
+bait without having his suspicions aroused, the more reckless does he
+become and the easier is he taken when at last the trap is placed.
+
+One old trapper, who is very successful, does not set his traps until
+some night when the first snowfall is at hand. The new white mantle
+covers the bed and all human sign made in setting the trap. The clog
+should have been previously placed some days before so that the fox
+will become accustomed to the sight of it. The fox has not forgotten
+the exact location of the bed with its tidbits and comes to it with
+unerring precision even when covered by snow, and unless he by good
+luck kicks the trap over and springs it he now comes to grief.
+
+Old man Titus says: "Having nailed the game don't kill on the spot
+but drag him off a ways. Then don't leave the carcass lying round
+conspicuous or it will scare the rest out of the neighborhood."
+
+My first insight into the manner of snow trapping I gained from a man
+named Williams. Several of his sheep concluded to part company with
+this cold unappreciative world, and their owner determined to make
+them still serve a purpose. Hauling them off in as many directions as
+there were of the dead, he left them until deep snow and severe
+weather came, cutting off much of the natural prey of the fox which
+reduced him to seeking carrion. After their inroads on the bait had
+become well established, Williams placed a trap at each of the
+remains, covering a little snow over them and stapling to pieces of
+fence rails previously placed.
+
+"Now," said Williams, "the only thing to do is to keep away from here
+two or three days until a little more snow falls to cover our sign,
+or is drifted a little by the wind." He used no scent of any kind,
+saying that "starvation is the best lure in the world." "All I do is
+to smoke the traps and not handle barehanded," he added.
+
+After two or three days of snow flurrying weather we visited the
+traps and noted that one was missing. We could see a dim trail where
+it had been dragged away. We followed and found the fox in a drift.
+He was poor and had frozen hard. Five were taken at the sheep bait
+inside of two weeks, after which there came a thaw stopping further
+snow trapping.
+
+One old trapper tells of a fox that came near outwitting him, being
+not only the most cunning but also possessing a degree of meanness
+almost satanic. "I baited him in a bed of chaff several nights," said
+he, "and then set my trap. The trap could not have contained scent,
+but the old chap appeared to know it was there; he carefully nosed
+out and devoured every scrap of bait, and then as deftly dug the trap
+out, turned it over and sprung it and left a soiling evidence of his
+scorn and contempt for me upon it. That I was mad you needn't doubt
+for a minute.  I tried setting three and four traps, hoping he'd make
+a miscue and get into some one of them, but no, he was too smart, he
+sprung them all each night and insulted me besides. All at once the
+thought struck me like a brick, I'll set the trap bottom side up.
+This I did, removing all the traps but one. "The cat came back" and
+as before turned the trap, bringing it right side up. I had set it
+full catch so that it would spring rather hard. He slipped a cog in
+not taking into account that the trap didn't spring when he turned
+it; when bestowing his disdain a too close contact brought a sharp
+click and he was fast. I never saw so sneaking and beat out an animal
+in my life. He would like to have had the ground open up and swallow
+him if it could."
+
+An acquaintance of mine who is a settler in Northern Michigan heard a
+great squealing and commotion among his hogs one night late in
+November, and bounced out just in time to see a large bear drop one
+of his shoats as it passed through the bars. The porker was stone
+dead, being bitten through the nape of the neck. The settler, whose
+name is Clark, drew the pig into the woods and left it between two
+fallen trees. With his axe he chopped a niche large enough to contain
+a trap, when set, from each of the logs; a piece of moss was
+carefully fitted over each cavity and all of the chips were removed.
+
+Foxes there are very numerous, and Clark soon noticed that the bait
+was being sampled; he knew the fox nature in that they have a habit
+of walking logs or on the highest points when investigating an
+attraction. When the tracks to and from and circling the bait became
+frequent Clark placed a trap on each log, covering them neatly with
+patches of moss; the chain was fastened to clogs concealed under the
+logs, and the chains were hidden with strips of moss. Upon his first
+visit to the traps, two days later, the trapper found a fox in each
+trap, and several more were taken before crows and other scavengers
+had polished the bones of the bait.
+
+  [Illustration: AFTER THE CHASE.]
+
+On the quiet, boys, I will say that it requires so much preparation,
+caution and patience to successfully trap the red fox that I have
+more frequently resorted to the hound and shotgun; by this means I
+have often taken the jacket of a cunning old dog fox, after running
+him over the hills an hour or two, that it would have taken much time
+and patience to trap. After one gets the runways learned, and if he
+possesses a good gun that loads properly, and is a tolerably fair
+shot at running game, the means is much quicker. It is like digging
+out a nest of skunks as against the slow process of trapping one at a
+time.
+
+  * * *
+
+I had a little experience with a sly old female fox last winter, says
+Claude Roora, of Ohio. I had noticed on early snows where this old
+fox had two holes under an old rail fence where she would pass
+through every night, and also a stone beside a sheep path where she
+would stop. I picked out those three places to set traps for her
+under the next snow.
+
+One morning I thought it looked as though it was fixing for a snow. I
+got three No. 2 Victor traps and told my wife I was going to catch
+that old fox that night if it snowed. I went to the three places and
+was very careful not to tear things up any more than just to dig
+places the size of the traps. I had grapnels fastened to chains and
+dug holes deep enough to bury them, so that when the traps were set
+on top of them it would be just a little below level of the surface
+of the ground, and covered all up with dead grapevine leaves. About
+the time I got the last trap set it commenced snowing and quit
+snowing before dark.
+
+  [Illustration: TRAP AND GRAPNEL.]
+
+Next morning I went early to get my fox before the hound men got out,
+thinking sure I would have her. When I got within one hundred yards
+of set No. 1 I saw her tracks leading straight to it. She went up
+within five or six feet of the trap, turned short off to the right
+and went down to set No. 2, went up within five or six inches of trap
+where she turned short off to the right again, made a few jumps down
+the hill, jumped over top of fence, circle back up the hill to sheep
+path, followed it out to set No. 3. She went up to this trap, raked
+every bit of snow and leaves off of trap and left trap bare and in
+plain sight, not even springing trap. I covered trap up again
+thinking I might fool some other fox, but in about half an hour the
+hounds came along on her track and one of them set his foot in the
+trap and his owner let him loose and threw the trap away.
+
+The hounds followed the fox up over the hill, routed it and ran it
+about an hour and holed it under a big rock, and the men went off and
+left it. Now the hounds had been in the habit of holing this fox
+under the same rock, and the most of us know that when a pack of
+hounds hole a fox they generally tear things up some. In other words,
+they leave some signs. I set the traps as nice as I knew how, and
+when I went back the next morning traps were turned upside-down and
+fox gone.
+
+So I concluded I would follow the track and see if I couldn't find
+her asleep and shoot her, but had not gone far when I found the snow
+had drifted so I could not follow her. I came back home discouraged.
+Next morning I thought I would go and see if she had been back on the
+hill. When I got to set No. 2 I saw where she had come up from the
+opposite side from what she had been in the habit of doing and stuck
+her right foot square in the trap. She went about one hundred yards
+where she got tangled in some grapevines and was waiting for me.
+
+Now I think there are instances where the scent of steel or human
+scent will scare animals away from your sets, and when you mix them
+both together they are a sure warning of danger with all shy animals.
+Now if this fox did not locate that trap at set No. 3 with her nose I
+would like to know how she did it, for I removed every bit of dirt I
+took out to make set and left all level and two and a half inches of
+snow ought to make things look as natural as any fox could expect to
+find a set, and at a rock where she had been in the habit of seeing
+things torn up by the dogs when she came out on previous occasions,
+and traps hidden out of sight, her nose surely told her where they
+were set.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+TRAPPING RED FOX.
+
+In the many years that he has been striving for his glossy pelt, man
+has evolved numerous clever schemes for outwitting the fox, but in
+the meantime Reynard has not been an idle observer regarding the ways
+of the human enemy, says J. L. Woodbury, of Maine. He lacks the
+advantage of books or tradition for handing down his store of
+accumulated knowledge, but in some mysterious way it is transmitted
+from generation to generation, nevertheless. So it is that the fox of
+the older and more thickly settled sections is a very different
+animal from the fox--even though it be of the same variety or
+species--inhabiting a part of the country where its kind has not been
+so persistently hunted. Tricks that prove effective with the latter
+are utterly lost on his better-schooled brother. Hence the simple
+methods advanced by some trappers are a bit amusing to the trappers
+here in the East, where the subject of this sketch reaches the acme
+of wisdom, and is, we believe, the peer in shrewdness and cunning of
+any animal in the world. However, we do not wish to be understood as
+ridiculing anybody's methods. We read the crudest of them with
+interest, realizing that they are all right in the region whence they
+came.
+
+  [Illustration: CAUGHT IN MAINE.]
+
+I would advise the amateur fox trapper to begin with the water set if
+practicable. Nearly any one of the many different forms are good
+enough, with such modifications as will be found necessary to adapt
+it to varying conditions of different sets. As one should not begin
+operations until freezing weather, spring water should be selected
+for the trap. A good-sized spring works best, but if this is not to
+be had, utilize some of the little springs to be found in plenty near
+the sources of brooks. One with a dark bottom is to be preferred, as
+then there will be no sand to clog the trap, which may be pressed
+down into the mud until it is all hidden but the pan. This should be
+about an inch under the water, and covered with a lump of moss.
+
+The position of trap with relation to bait has so often been
+explained I need not dwell upon it here. If the spring be a large one
+it is easy to place the bait so that it will be protected by water on
+all sides save the one desired, but if a smaller pool be employed the
+side opposite the trap should be barricaded with stumps or brush;
+which work, by the way, had better be done some time during the
+previous summer. And rather than leave too narrow an approach to the
+bait if is better to set two or even more traps, for reynard's
+suspicions are quickly aroused by anything resembling an inclosure.
+
+As to the matter of bait, it may be said in general that foxes like
+about all kinds of meat. Yet the task of selecting a killing bait is
+not always as easy as might be expected from this, as individuals
+seem to have their particular preferences, while the morsel that
+would be eagerly sought by the same fox at one season will have no
+attraction for him at another. If you find "signs" in the vicinity of
+your sets, yet they remain unmolested, experiment with different
+kinds of baits, as the angler tries a variety of flies at every
+likely-looking pool. It is certain that mice, rabbits and grouse are
+among the best baits.
+
+For the "scent" part, some trappers claim to do well without them,
+but a good scent is unquestionably a great help. Many of those for
+which receipts are given I know to be effective. But the most
+tempting bait and the strongest lure will jointly prove unavailing if
+one's set be unskillfully made, and carelessness be practiced in
+going to and from trap.
+
+Water, of course, leaves no scent where it is possible to reach the
+set by boat or wading, but where this is impracticable arrange to go
+to trap but rarely, if it remain undisturbed. The height of springs
+vary but little with wet or dry weather, and this fact should be
+taken full advantage of by the fox-trapper. Carefully select a trap
+that will not spring of itself. See that the trigger is pushed well
+into the notch, pick out a good, close-fibred piece of moss for pan,
+not large enough to clog the jaws, and stick a few small twigs around
+it to hold it in place. Push the chain well down into the mud, have
+the bait exactly in the right place, and in fact use every care to
+have things fixed so that they will not be disarranged by trivial
+causes. Then in visiting, go no nearer than is necessary to see that
+bait or trap have not been disturbed.
+
+Skunks will often prove a great bother, as they take all kinds of
+bait and kick up no end of a "bobbery" when caught. The fact that
+their pelts pay the bill in part is but poor consolation, when one
+has just got a particularly shy old red coat about worked up to the
+"biting" point.
+
+Sometimes one will run upon natural conditions particularly favorable
+for a set--a rock, islet or piece of drift in mid-channel, or an old
+log spanning the stream. Experienced trappers are quick to note all
+such places as these, as well as points where, with a very little
+human handiwork, traps may be placed to advantage.
+
+It is best to make all essential preparations as long before setting
+as possible, though bearing in mind that the streams are usually much
+higher in the trapping season than during the summer. Also begin
+putting out baits some time before setting traps. No animal exercises
+afterward the same degree of caution as on the first two or three
+visits to a spot, and even so shy a creature as the fox, if he become
+accustomed to picking up a few choice bits at a place, will soon
+neglect much of his usual precaution in approaching it, and though he
+take alarm and shun it for a time will ere long get up sufficient
+confidence to renew his visits.
+
+If you find where there is a burrow with a family of young foxes,
+watch them all you can during your leisure moments. Learn where they
+get their food, where they cross the streams, and their general lines
+of travel. True, the family may be broken up and driven to sections
+miles away before time for trapping, but nevertheless a few traps
+should be placed in the old beats, as if one of this family should
+ever return to the vicinity he will be certain to revisit his former
+haunts.
+
+Many trappers, and especially young trappers, expect to get a fox the
+first night, and, as it would seem, think to make their set so that
+not the slightest taint of man or iron lingers about the spot after
+they leave it. They boil their traps in this or that, or smear them
+with some odorous substance (the very thing perhaps to draw the
+game's attention to them); they handle them gingerly with gloves
+(which are often as strongly imbued with man smell as their naked
+hands); strap hides, pieces of board or snow shoes to their feet when
+setting or visiting, and in fact go through a rigmarole that would
+require about half a day to set a single trap. Then they think that
+if the shyest old fox imaginable should come along that night he
+would walk into their snare as confidently as a cow into a stall, or
+a man into his own house. Without reflecting upon the methods of any
+one, we must say that we consider many of these expedients
+unnecessary, unless when dealing with an unusually shrewd customer.
+
+For my own part we make but little reckoning on a trap for the first
+two or three days, especially one with bait. Sometimes, of course, a
+storm helps us out, or we may nab a youngster who is green at the
+game; but this is an exception, not the rule. We take all needful
+precautions in respect to disturbance and scent, but our chief aim is
+to secrete and cover our trap well; to cover it so that no smell or
+iron can possibly reach the surface, and so that it will remain
+covered for weeks if necessary, and yet be ready for business, let
+the weather be what it will--snow or rain, heat or cold. Herein lies
+the essence of the art; to fix your trap so that it will not soon
+require your attention, then nature will speedily dispose of whatever
+scent you may have left about it. We are speaking now chiefly of land
+sets.
+
+In looking up a place for a set, select one if possible where some
+natural or artificial provision will admit of approach without
+leaving much scent--a hard-beaten path, a double stone wall, a line
+of ledges, or a combination of some such conditions, which should be
+invariably followed in going to and from trap.
+
+  [Illustration: CAUGHT BY A MISSOURI TRAPPER.]
+
+When you have decided upon the place for a trap, make all possible
+preparations at a distance; then go to the spot and do your work as
+quickly and cleanly as you can. If the ground is soft, use a strip of
+board to stand on. If you use gloves, have some especially for the
+purpose, and never leave them lying about your dog's quarters or the
+house. It will do no hurt to smear them lightly with whatever you are
+using for scent.
+
+See that the trap rests evenly and firmly, so that if any part of it
+be stepped on it will not tip and pull apart the covering, or grate
+upon rocks or the chain. Make your excavation quite deep, filling in
+the bottom with some two inches of hemlock twigs or something of like
+nature, so as to prevent the gathering of moisture and a consequent
+freeze. Secure to a clog, or use a grapnel. The latter is in most
+cases preferable, as it may be buried from sight, while the former
+adds one more to the objects likely to arouse suspicion.
+
+The covering is something that you will pretty much have to learn for
+yourself. Like swimming, no one can teach it by any amount of
+talking; practice is necessary to acquire the trick. Moss, leaves and
+rotten wood are the principal materials used, though pinches of
+herbage and dirt may be added to harmonize with set and surroundings.
+Leaves, however, should be used sparingly, as they change shape with
+every phase of weather, and thus frequently spoil what would
+otherwise have remained a good covering. If well rotted they give
+less trouble in this respect, and offer less resistance to the jaws
+in closing.
+
+When using bait, if not setting in a bed, find a spot where little
+building is required to protect it--a hollow log or stump, the
+entrance to an old burrow, a niche in a ledge or hole under a rock.
+Sometimes, where a trout-stream flows under a step bluff, a little
+shelf is found in the face of the bluff (and one can usually be made
+if it is not already there); and by placing a trap on the shelf and
+the bait just above it, you have sly Mr. Fox at great disadvantage,
+as he must leap from the opposite side of the brook to the embankment
+to reach the bait. A projection in the face of a cliff, several feet
+from the ground, if it is inaccessible from overhead or either side
+may be similarly improved.
+
+Always be on the lookout for such places as these, where those sharp
+eyes and that keen, pointed nose will be kept at a distance from your
+set until it is too late for them to detect signs of danger.
+
+Old roads offer good possibilities for traps without bait. Unused
+plain roads, where the grass has sprung up may be practically covered
+by placing a trap in each wheel-rut and the central path. The space
+under a set of bars may be partly filled with brush and two or three
+traps placed side by side in the opening with good chances of
+success. We say two or three traps, as by so doing a larger opening
+may be left, which adds greatly to your chances. An attempt to coax
+this slippery fellow into narrow quarters quickly excites his
+suspicions.
+
+Cow and sheep paths are much traveled by reynard, especially those
+leading around and through swamps. These are more easily trapped than
+roads, a good method being to first go along the path with your decoy
+scent, applying at intervals to objects close beside the path, and
+then setting traps, without bait, between the "doctored" points. An
+old pelt of some sort dragged behind you will serve to kill your own
+scent, and to keep the intended victim to the path.
+
+As stated, an important element of successful fox trapping is to make
+as little disturbance, and to leave us little scent us possible, in
+working around, and going to and from trap. It follows then that one
+should not only aim so to fix his traps that they will require no
+actual attention under ordinary conditions of weather, except at
+considerable intervals, but should invariably locate them with a view
+to being able to look after them in a way not to arouse wily
+reynard's suspicions.
+
+  [Illustration: WHITE FOX SKINS.]
+
+Sometimes, when trapping along a creek or other waters where it is
+not convenient to keep a boat, a rude raft may be constructed from
+which to make sets, and to be employed in visiting same. It
+simplifies the work one half to be able to do the whole thing by
+water, as water leaves neither scent nor trail. But where it is not
+possible to make use of this helpful agent, care should be taken to
+select a spot that can be approached over ledgy ground, or by jumping
+from rock to rock, two short strips of board to be stepped upon
+alternately, being often useful in bridging over any breaks that may
+occur in such line of approach.
+
+Where this method cannot be employed, owing to the nature of the
+ground, it is advisable to vary the route in visiting, as by always
+following the same line a well defined trail will soon be made, which
+is certain to excite suspicion in an animal as shy as the fox. When
+dealing with an unusually shrewd customer, some wear snowshoes or
+strap hide of some sort on the feet, either of which is not a bad
+plan, as well as that of dragging a fresh pelt behind one to
+obliterate one's trail.
+
+As to making beds of chaff, while I have no personal experience with
+this material, it never impressed me as being the proper thing for
+the purpose, as it is out of place in the woods or fields. If a man
+comes upon a pile of chaff any where away from buildings, it
+instantly occurs to him as being queer that it should be in such a
+place. Do you not suppose that the wild creatures, whose very
+existence depends upon their sharpness of observation, are likely to
+note the unfitness of the thing quicker than we? Of course, if the
+chaff be deposited in place early in the season, allowing time to
+discolor and decay, it may help the case, or feathers may be thrown
+over the bed. But in the latter event wind may at any time remove the
+covering. For myself, I have always had better luck in making sets
+for any animal with materials obtained from the immediate
+surroundings, and having therefore nothing foreign in smell or
+appearance to offend the creature's nose or eye.
+
+Now a few words as to the fox's regard for iron. Does he feel that it
+is a thing to be avoided or not? It is my belief, brother trappers,
+that he does, under certain circumstances, have a strong instinctive
+fear of metal of any kind. That is to say, when he finds it in places
+where as a rule it is not to be found. The fact that he will walk for
+miles on the railroad track, and even upon the rails, is no argument
+to the contrary, for the reason that he has become accustomed to the
+iron in such places. A large quantity does not alarm him, but a small
+piece, half hidden in the dirt, in field or wood where he is not
+accustomed to see it, awakes his distrust. For the same reason, he
+will trot deliberately out in the road in front of a passing team,
+when the mere snapping of a twig beneath the hunter's feet would send
+him off flying. He has learned that danger rarely comes to him from
+persons traveling by team; it is of the stealthy step and the swift
+act of raising a gun that instinct has taught him to stand in fear.
+And so it is with respect to iron. It is all right in its place, he
+knows, but he also knows that it is quite out of place--from his
+standpoint, at least--in proximity to his favorite articles of diet.
+Why even the stupid muskrat, who will go into people's cellars, and
+in fact most everywhere else he wants to, and who will walk into any
+sort of set so long as the trap be covered, will not step into a bare
+trap. Dozens of times have I had my dog follow the tracks one has
+made around my trap when it was left bare by falling water, but
+invariably the rat has left the bait rather than put his foot on the
+uncovered trap. It is absurd to think the thick-headed muskrat is
+sharper in any respect than wise Mr. Fox.
+
+  [Illustration: A RHODE ISLAND SCENE.]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+RED AND GREY.
+
+I will give a method for trapping the grey fox, and have to say trap
+him the same as the red fox, as any method that will take one will do
+for the other, says L. M. Pickens, of Tennessee. The trapper can
+easily tell which of these species he is setting for, as the grey fox
+has more of a round track, while his red brother leaves a much larger
+and longer imprint.
+
+Each of these animals are great rovers, starting on a forage by
+sunset, traveling many miles in a night; never holing up for the
+bitterest freeze that comes.
+
+Look for fox tracks in stock paths, old roads not much used, places
+under fences, washouts, and in large gullies, as such places are
+their travels, yet many other unnamed places suited risks for your
+traps may be found if one is closely looking around.
+
+Carry with you a hardwood stick, ready sharpened, with which to dig
+the pit for your traps, and dig this lengthwise with the path, (not
+across it), and deep enough so the trap will be just a little below
+level of surface; now place the trap in, cover over springs and
+around outside of jaws with dirt, and lay a piece of paper, flat
+leaves or a piece of cloth over jaws and pan, then pulverize some of
+the dirt you dug up, sprinkle over the trap 'till all is covered over
+good, then lay a dead weed or stick on each side of trap two or three
+inches away, which completes the set.
+
+  [Illustration: GREY FOX.]
+
+When you fasten the trap, do not staple it, but wire the ring or end
+of chain to a bush you cut, one that the fox can drag a distance,
+which always leaves the same trap pit or hole in readiness for your
+trap, which should immediately be smoked, set right back for another
+fox which is sure to come along, and if you are careful he will he
+yours, as it all depends upon skillful setting and covering the trap
+chain.
+
+Have everything look as natural when you make the set as before, and
+I will guarantee the catch of every fox that comes along.
+
+Use none but the best trap, and a Newhouse No. 2 is recommended,
+handle it and everything about the set with gloves, learn to respect
+the cunning of a fox by cultivating a habit of standing in one place,
+always be careful not to spit, whittle or leave any paper about a
+trap.
+
+Don't use rusty traps, scour off the rust, and boil for thirty
+minutes in any green bark that will coat them; willow, walnut, or
+chestnut are good.
+
+Don't lay your traps around on the ground at your sets; better carry
+them in a satchel, sack or something strapped around your shoulders.
+
+Don't whittle or spit where you are making a set.
+
+Don't staple your traps, but cut and wire the chains to a green limb,
+one that the fox can drag a distance, and visit your traps regularly,
+avoiding any unnecessary company.
+
+The method recommended is only the "path method," and to be used
+altogether without any bait or scents; as I believe the best results
+are obtained by just taking a fox unawares, and the whole secret is
+in choosing the place, then knowing just how to conceal the trap, and
+have everything as natural as possible when the set is made.
+
+Look for fox tracks in stock paths, in pastures, fields, and woods,
+in large gullies, washouts and places under fences, old roads not
+much used, sand bars along streams, and other places; always
+selecting a narrow place for your set; approaching such places with
+trap ready set and wired to the brush, then with ready sharpened hard
+wood stick, stop and stand in one place until trap is properly set,
+when you can just walk right on to the next place.
+
+Always dig the pit just the size of trap to be used, having the
+springs lengthwise in the path or trail--not across it--and just deep
+enough so the trap will be a little below the surface level when put
+in the pit. Cover over springs and around the outside of the jaws
+with dirt, lay a piece of paper over pan and jaws, or put fine moss,
+cotton, wool or dead grass inside of jaws and under pan; then haul on
+the fine dirt, just enough of it to thinly cover all, brush with a
+twig to level and complete the set by laying a couple of dead weeds,
+or small sticks, just haphazard like some two or three inches on each
+side of the trap.
+
+As soon as you kill your fox, reset the trap in the same pit, but if
+your brush drag is chewed up, replace it with a new one. In addition,
+if it is a female fox that is caught, kill it near a path or any good
+place where a set can be made and where you have lately noticed a
+fox's track; then conceal and secure your trap as before, and the
+chances are as good for you to catch one or more fox at this set.
+
+  [Illustration: SACKING FOXES.]
+
+Now try this method all the way through and you will soon see that I
+am right. My brother set his first fox trap Dec. 9th and on the
+morning of the 10th had a large female red fox and killed it in a
+pasture near a path, and that night caught the largest dog fox I ever
+saw or heard of.
+
+He got both these foxes just exactly as the above method indicates.
+The dog fox weighed 19 pounds and its hide measured 5 ft. 5 inches on
+the board. The old fox had lots of gray hairs on his head, evidently
+an old timer.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+WIRE AND TWINE SNARE.
+
+Various are the ways being studied for the capture of the fox and
+other shy animals, says J. H. Shufelt, of Canada. Most every trapper
+has a particular method of his own. Years ago trappers thought it was
+necessary to set in water in order to be successful in catching
+foxes, but after a closer acquaintance with the ways of the fox, it
+was found that they were easily caught in a steel trap on dry land in
+many ways. At the present time the trapper has found a less expensive
+way of catching them with the snare. This method has many advantages,
+and when properly set is a sure thing. It takes in most of those old
+sly ones that have been nipped by steel traps, etc.
+
+The method shown here is only one of the many ways of the snare.
+Owing to the peculiar fastening of the snare, a powerful spring pole
+or weight can be used with a lighter wire. I use a copper or brass
+wire 1 gauge, with a foot or more slack between fastenings, which
+gives the spring pole a chance to instantly take advantage of the fox
+as soon as caught, when he will be caught up to the staple (which
+should be high enough from the ground so the fox will swing clear)
+and choked.
+
+I set my snares in paths where weeds or grass grow each side to hide
+the snare. The loop should be seven inches in diameter, ten inches
+from the ground. It is as well before trapping to get the fox to
+traveling a path by leaving some good scent along the path. This can
+be done by boring a three-fourths hole downward in a tree near the
+path and pour the scent in, which will last a long time. If the same
+care is used in setting snares as is used in trapping, I think the
+snare will catch more. They work well in cold weather, and some fine
+catches can be made after a snowfall with the snare. Then the fur
+will be good and prime.
+
+  [Illustration: WIRE OR TWINE SNARE.]
+
+A--Spring pole.
+
+B--Staple.
+
+C--Two small nails driven in tree. (Three inch nail head, end down,
+with snare looped at each end with a foot of slack between. As soon
+as the D--three inch nail is pulled down, it will slip past the nail
+at top end, when spring pole will instantly take up the slack, also
+the fox, to staple and does its work.)
+
+E--Slack line or wire.
+
+F--Loop should be 7 inches in diameter and bottom of loop ten inches
+from the ground.
+
+Remarks--The nails should be driven above staple so it will pull
+straight down to release the snare fastening.
+
+  * * *
+
+I may state that I learned all the best ways of setting traps for fox
+long ago from an old trapper, says A. H. Sutherland, of Nova Scotia.
+But I never bothered setting a trap for a fox in my life, for the
+reason that I can catch them with snares on bare ground much easier
+and cheaper than with traps. But on snow if I could get fox to take
+bait, I would try poison on him. I may add that the snare is good for
+other animals besides the fox, such as coon, skunk and wild cat.
+
+Go to a hardware store and get some rabbit wire and put about five
+strands of it together, and twist it just enough so that it will stay
+together nicely. Have a small loop on both ends and run one end
+through the other so as to make a noose of it. Next get some good
+twine, put a piece about 10 or 12 inches in length into the loop on
+the end of the snare, that is, the end that is going to be fastened.
+
+Now find a path in an old clearing or in the woods, and select a
+place where you think best to set your snare. Cut a stake about 2
+feet long and 1 1/2 inches through, have a limb on the butt end of it
+almost 3/4 inch in length. Sharpen the small end of the stake and
+drive it in the ground, leaving about 10 or 12 inches above ground;
+then cut a nice little pole about an inch and a half at the butt end
+and sharpen it, trim off at about an inch at the top end and fasten
+your snare, or at least take your pole in both hands and force the
+butt end into the ground till it will be good and firm.
+
+Now bend down your pole and fasten your snare to it, and put the end
+of the pole under the catch on the stake. Be sure to drive your stake
+close enough to the path so as to have your snare light about the
+center of the path and the lower side of the snare about 8 inches
+from the ground. It is best to have them high enough so the fox
+cannot jump over them. Of course a man must use good judgment at
+setting snares just the same as he would in setting traps.
+
+Another good place is a brush fence. Find holes under it where the
+fox will be going through, put your snare there, and if there are any
+going you will have some of them. Next find a good stream in the
+woods or anywhere frequented by foxes, and if you find good trees
+that fall across the stream have a good sharp axe and give a good
+slash or two of the axe about the middle of the tree, or at least
+above the middle of the brook. As I was going to say, give a good
+slash or two of the axe lengthwise of the tree and make a wedge shape
+stake and drive it into the tree, and then fasten your snare to a
+spring pole. If you prefer, you could bore an auger hole in the log
+and drive your pin in that way, and fasten the snare to the pin about
+10 or 12 inches from the log so that the snare will hang downwards,
+it will do better. Be sure and have the lower side of snare 7 or 8
+inches from the log.
+
+  [Illustration: THE WIRE LOOP.]
+
+Now there is another kind of brass or copper wire that one strand
+will be enough to hold a fox. If you find that they are cutting your
+snares put little rollers of wood in the snare boring a hole
+lengthwise with a 3/8 bit, and have the roller almost 5 inches long
+and say an inch in diameter. Put that on snare so it will run down to
+the side of his neck, and he will keep biting at it.
+
+I get No. 14 brass wire (mind, you must temper the wire) that I find
+the hardest part of the game. Cut your wire about 34 or 36 inches
+long, make it into rings round, put in a good hot fire for three or
+four minutes, or until red. Be very careful and not let it lie on
+coal, handle very carefully; don't strike against anything while hot,
+as it will break like glass, but if you have it tempered you cannot
+break it. I have caught three foxes in the same snare, says Larry
+Burns, of Canada.
+
+You must make your snare just the same as a rabbit snare, only make a
+loop about six inches around. Find when the fox passes under a fence
+or on a cow path, in winter, find where they make a habit of going.
+Set your snare in such places or around old carrion in bushes, cedar
+is best, use weeds rolled round your snare, don't use too many as
+they will notice. Use a green stick to hold your snare fast, You wire
+about a foot from large end. Always stand up the stick just the same
+as growing. The stick should be 1 1/2 inches thick. Be careful and
+make as few foot marks as possible and stand on one side of your
+snare. While setting don't spit tobacco juice near snare.
+
+  * * *
+
+A great many foxes have been caught in this country by the plan of
+the drawing outlined, writes J. C. Hunter, of Canada. A--the snare,
+should be made of rabbit wire, four or five strands twisted together.
+Should be long enough to make a loop about seven inches in diameter
+when set. Bottom side of snare should be about six inches from the
+ground. E--is a little stick, sharp at one end and split at the
+other, to stick in the ground and slip bottom of snare in split end,
+to hold snare steady.
+
+  [Illustration: SPRING POLE SNARE.]
+
+B--is catch to hold down spring pole. C--is stake. D--is spring pole.
+Some bend down a sapling for a spring pole, but we think the best way
+is to cut and trim up a small pole about ten feet long; fasten the
+big end under a root and bend it down over a crotch, stake or small
+tree. Snare should be set on a summer sheep path, where it goes
+through the bushes.
+
+Stake might be driven down a foot or more back from the path, where a
+branch of an evergreen bush would hang over it so as to hide it and a
+string long enough from stake or trigger to snare to allow snare to
+rest over path.
+
+Of course, in making this set you will have to use care and your own
+ingenuity to a great extent, to suit the requirements of the
+surroundings. Another way is to find a log, tree or pole that lies
+across a brook that is too wide for a fox to jump from one bank to
+the other. Set snare on log, but in this case, bottom side of snare
+should be only about four inches from log, as a fox will carry his
+nose lower while crossing a stream on a log. If the log is near the
+water, a spring pole should be used; if the log is high up from the
+water, fasten snare to log by driving in a wooden pin in the side of
+the log, and when the fox gets in snare he will tear around, fall off
+of log and hang all right.
+
+  * * *
+
+The following is said to be the manner in which they snare foxes in
+New Brunswick: Early in the season they go into the woods in some
+favorable locality and build a fence. This place is similar to what
+would be constructed for partridge snaring, only of course with layer
+brush, leaving a narrow opening sufficiently wide for the passage of
+a fox, fixing everything just as they wish it to be later on when
+ready for business, and having a spring pole at such a distance that
+it can be utilized when wanted.
+
+Take a dead hen or some kind of meat, place it in a jar, so that it
+gets well tainted; that when the right time comes place the noose in
+place at the opening made in the fence, fasten to the spring pole,
+sprinkle a little of this tainted bait about, and await results.
+
+  [Illustration: THE RUNAWAY SNARE SET.]
+
+In going and coming, wooden shoes or clogs are worn, so that the fox
+will not get the scent of the party setting the trap.
+
+An animal in coming down the path passes its body or neck through the
+loop made of stout insulated wire; in passing it steps on the trip
+stick which settles with the animal's weight, releasing the trigger,
+which in turn releases the stay-wire and jerks the loop around the
+animal; the spring pole onto which the stay-wire is attached lifts
+your game up into the air, choking it to death and placing it out of
+reach of other animals that would otherwise destroy your fur. A small
+notch cut in the stay crotch where the end of the trip stick rests
+will insure the trigger to be released. This will hold the trip stick
+firm at the end, making it move only at the end where the animal
+stops.
+
+New and valuable methods are continually being published in the
+Hunter-Trader-Trapper, an illustrated monthly magazine, of Columbus,
+Ohio.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TRAP, SNARE, SHOOTING AND POISON.
+
+Some say that scent is no good, and that they can trap more without
+it, and they even go so far as to offer to match their craft with
+those using it. I don't call myself a trapper, says E. R. Lafleche,
+of Canada, as I never spend much time at hunting or trapping. When I
+go in the woods it is only for a little recreation, and not being an
+old hunter, I do not know it all yet, but will say that I can get
+more than my share of foxes in any place here in Canada.
+
+For the benefit of the young as well as many old trappers I will give
+here my methods of trapping, snaring, shooting and poisoning the fox,
+which is as good, if not better, than any I have seen. I can clean
+the foxes out of any section of the country without having to
+purchase any of the so-called famous scent.
+
+To take away the human scent from whatever I do, I make a bath as
+follows: First, take 2 lbs. of male cedar branches, 2 lbs. balsam
+branches, and 1 lb. good hen manure; chop the branches fine and place
+the whole in a pot in 2 gallons of soft water, "fresh rain water is
+the best" and boil until reduced to 1 1/2 gallon. Second, take a
+clean pail or tub, smoke it with birch or balsam bark, then place
+solution, cover and keep in a temperate place. To make the scent,
+take equal parts of the following: Fresh eel, honey in comb, chicken,
+pig liver, mice; chop the whole together like mince meat and bottle,
+cork and place the bottle in a pail or tub of water so that it will
+float and in a warm place. A good way is to place the bottle in some
+shallow part of a lake, creek or river much exposed to the sun, and
+where the water is warm; use a strong bottle and fill about
+three-fourths of it, and remove the cork from time to time for fear the
+fermentation smashes the bottle, and as soon as it has settled, cork
+well and keep in a temperate place for a week or so, and it is ready
+for use.
+
+Smear your snowshoes and go where you like, and there will not be a
+single fox that will come to your trail that will not follow it to
+the end.
+
+To take the iron smell from traps, first clean them well in warm
+water. Second, put them in the bath for 10 or 12 hours. Third, smoke
+them with birch and balsam bark; then they are ready to set, Place
+the trap 18 inches from the bait and put a few drops of the medicine
+under the pan of the trap, get a small shovel made of sieve wire, and
+sieve some snow over the trap and over your signs up to three feet or
+more from your bait. Don't spit or monkey with pipe and tobacco.
+Place your bait near a large stone, stump, fence or tree, and in such
+a way that the fox will be able to approach the bait from side where
+the trap is; always set the trap so that the loose jaw will be at the
+far end from the bait.
+
+  [Illustration: SOME CANADIAN REDS.]
+
+It is a good thing to place some clean white cotton wool under the
+pan with a few drops of the scent. As soon as a fox is caught save a
+front leg and with it print some signs such as a live fox would do,
+all over the place where the trap is set; also save the urine from
+the bladder of the fox and when it becomes rancid, sprinkle a few
+drops on the weeds near the trap and the first fox that will come
+will be yours.
+
+To poison them strychnine is required. First, use fresh beef suet and
+make pills the size of a big pea. Second, put the size of a large
+grain of wheat of strychnine and stick these pills in your bait the
+same way as garlic in a roast. Third, take a fresh cow head, stick
+your pills in the fleshy parts of the head, but do not place them too
+close to each other, then hang the head out of the reach of the hens,
+etc., in a stable where there is cattle for one night, then take it
+to the place you wish to leave it and there throw away like a lost
+head. A good way to place such bait is on a good sized lake. Place
+the head in the center of it and you will find your fox every time.
+
+Of course when you are using poison you must visit your bait every
+morning at daylight, so that the drifting snow, etc., will not cover
+the fox's tracks. While visiting the bait, keep to one side and from
+three to five feet from it; don't monkey around it, and if Mr. Fox
+came to the bait and if you have reason to think he has taken a pill,
+make a circuit of a 100 yards or more until you come to the trail of
+a fox going away from the bait. As soon as a fox feels the effect of
+the poison he will make several long jumps and then start to walk.
+
+Follow his tracks, and the moment you notice zigzags in the tracks,
+or that the fox is looking for an easy place to go through a fence,
+etc., this is a sure sign that the fox is sick, and you can follow
+that track and find the fox. Sometimes you will find them not 50
+yards from the bait, and other times a half or three-quarters of a
+mile from the bait. This depends upon the time spent at the bait and
+is also due to other causes.
+
+A good way to poison them is to place a pill in a mouse or a small
+piece of liver, but I prefer to make pills with lard, about a square
+inch, and I insert the poison in the middle of the bullet. To do
+this, I bore a small hole with a stick, and then place the strychnine
+and cover the hole with the lard taken from it. To do this with ease,
+the lard must be partly frozen, smear with honey and keep frozen;
+then take some frozen liver (any kind will do) and chop it in fine
+pieces and mix with honey and keep in a small wood box. Smoke the box
+the same as the traps and smear inside with honey and add a few drops
+of the medicine. The kind of box I recommend is one 4"x12" made of
+either cedar or bass wood 1/4 inch thick, with two compartments, one
+4"x8" for the liver pieces and the other 4"x4" for the bullets, with
+a sliding door at each end, and a piece of leather held by small
+screws on the top for the hand.
+
+When ready, take your ammunition and once on fox land, smear your
+snow shoes with the scent and at every hundred yards drop a few bits
+of liver, and at every 500 yards or so, a few more with a pill, and
+in the pill stick a four inch black feather, and two feet to the
+right stick a strong weed, and in such a way that the wind will not
+throw it down. This will enable you to find the pill in case of a
+snow storm, and by brushing the snow lightly with your mit, the pill
+can be found at once, unless a fox took it. If the bullet has not
+been touched you can tell without having to remove the snow, as the
+feather will stand straight up, and this is a sure sign that the
+poison is still there. If no feather can be seen and if it has been
+stormy, brush the snow away, the lard is not as white as the snow and
+is easily found. Should it be gone, look carefully around the place;
+sometimes you will see the feather 10 or 20 feet from the place you
+have placed the pill, and there or elsewhere you should see a place
+where the fox has been digging a hole. Examine the hole carefully and
+you may find the poison, as often when not hungry he will hide it for
+some other time, or for his friend. If you have reason to believe
+that a fox took the pill, and owing to stormy weather you cannot find
+him, you must survey the grounds as soon as the snow commences to
+melt, and by looking carefully along the fences you will often find
+them. Always keep trace of your pills; the best places to put these
+is in the middle of a lake or field; the black feather will attract
+the attention of the foxes at once, and they will make immediately
+for any black spots they see in a field or on a lake.
+
+To shoot them in winter: Get a complete suit made of white cotton,
+including cap, smear your suit with scent, or have some balls of
+cotton wool smeared with it and tie these around your belt with a
+good string in such a way that you can remove them at will. In a fine
+moonlight, take your snow shoes and go where the foxes are traveling,
+and the moment you see one or hear one bark, circle around him so
+that the wind will carry the scent. He will come towards you and will
+stop at a certain distance from you, and as you notice him on the
+alert, stop moving. The fox will put his head up and will look in all
+directions in order to locate where the nest of the plump mice are,
+and as you notice this sound the squeal of the field mouse; the fox
+will at once run toward you; then shoot him. I use BB shot for foxes.
+
+Where foxes are plentiful, a hunter of some experience can bag
+several in three or four hours. I have killed as many as four in
+three hours. A good wind, fine moonlight, and lots of foxes, a fellow
+will have fine sport. In shooting foxes, keep as much as possible on
+the small hills so as to survey more land. While I was living in the
+country I had good sport shooting them in the spring, in the high
+snow banks along the fences.
+
+Foxes are fond of playing at such places, especially when there is a
+crust to carry them. This generally comes in Canada at the latter end
+of February and during the month of March. I have often killed them
+at bait. Horse meat is fine bait for them. I once killed two big
+foxes at one shot. A hunter can always approach a fox when he is
+feeding, providing he knows how.
+
+When I trap fox I do it on a large scale. I always set a combination
+of traps and snares. I carry a good supply of wire snares. The twine
+must be of dark color. In making a trail for fox, I take advantage of
+every good place I find either for trap or snares, either between
+bunches of weeds, trees, stones, stumps, roots, logs, fences, etc.,
+where Mr. Fox will have to pass to follow my trail. On the rail or
+other board fences I use the twine snare, and on a barbed wire fence,
+the wire snare. In setting a twine snare, I always use a drop log or
+stone, and so fixed that as soon as the fox pulls the weight drops,
+and he is lifted and hung at once. I use ordinary wire fence staples
+and two to each set, one placed so that when the weight falls the
+neck of the fox is carried close to the staple and held there, and
+the other staple close to the drop. The drop must be placed so that
+it cannot reach the ground, and must weigh about three times as much
+as any fox.
+
+Any fox that puts his head in the loop is sure to stay there. In the
+bush, I take advantage of all shanty roads, and I use spring poles
+when I find a suitable tree. I just trim the head and use a wire
+snare so that the squirrels, etc., will not bother it.
+
+I set traps at the baits and in the middle of the fields in the same
+way as poison, with bits of liver around it, and I cover the trap
+with a light coat of snow with the same little shovel, and under the
+pan I place some cotton wool with a few drops of scent, and should,
+while the fox is picking up the pieces of liver, not step on the
+trap, he is sure to scratch for the mouse under the pan, and the trap
+will mouse him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+MY FIRST FOX.
+
+I presume that almost every boy trapper in North America has an
+ardent wish to trap one of these cunning sharp witted animals, and I
+remember I thought when a boy if I could only catch a fox in a trap
+my reputation as a trapper would be made, says F. W. Howard, of
+Wisconsin.
+
+Boys, you must not be discouraged if, after following the methods you
+hear, you fail to take a fox, for probably most of you have only
+traps enough to make one set; any of us older trappers I think will
+admit that it is rather a difficult feat to make one set and take a
+fox in a reasonably short time. Most of the trappers who use these
+sets have likely from a dozen to fifty traps out for fox at one time.
+
+I have sometimes taken foxes in traps set for skunk, coon and mink,
+so that one may say that with a large number of traps out, even
+though not set with the care and precautions usually taken to catch a
+fox, the large number of chances open enable one to take here and
+there a blundering and unwary fellow. I trapped my first fox when
+about twelve years old, by following a method given me by my
+grandfather, who was, in his day, a famous New England fox hunter. He
+was a very old man at that time, but when I expressed to him my
+heart's desire, asking him how and where to set the trap (I had but
+one suitable for fox) he told me to get my father to let me take the
+oxen and plow, to make a couple of furrows in our back pasture.
+Following his instructions I boiled the trap in weak lye and then
+daubed it over with fresh cow manure. The back pasture spoken of was
+a place where foxes traveled, and I presume that there was no week in
+the year that at least two or three foxes did not cross there.
+
+  [Illustration: CAUGHT IN A NO 1.]
+
+Now, this is a very important point, if you are making but one set
+especially, be sure and find a location for the set near some den or
+ledge where foxes live, or at some point where you know they are in
+the habit of crossing. But to continue, under my aged instructor's
+direction I plowed two furrows across the pasture in the form of an
+X. "Now," said he, "any fox that comes along will get down and run in
+the furrows. Set your traps where they cross, and I shouldn't wonder
+if you found one up here some fine morning." I scooped out a shallow
+hole of a size to hold the trap and clog, put a bunch of wool under
+the pan so it would spring easily, and covered all slightly and
+smoothly with dirt; Granddad then placed some lumps of dirt in such a
+way that a fox would be apt to step over them into the trap, if
+coming from any direction. He cautioned me in visiting the trap to
+walk by it some distance away.
+
+"How long do you think it will be before we catch a fox?", I asked.
+"Maybe not for a week, and maybe not at all, but I tell you boy, if
+you want to catch a fox you have got to stick to it." You can imagine
+my delight the next morning on finding a fine red fox tangled up
+among some huckleberry bushes near by, and you may be sure I thought
+Granddad the greatest trapper in the world, and myself the next.
+
+I caught two more foxes at the same set before snow came, and will
+say that I have always found this method one of the surest, but of
+course very few boys are situated so as to have pastures that foxes
+cross, and which they can plow furrows in.
+
+Foxes are generally suspicious of a dead bait; however, at a bait
+which they have been in the habit of visiting, generally some
+carcass, they are more easily caught than at a freshly placed bait or
+carcass, and it is a good plan, if you try taking a fox in this way,
+to put out the carcass or large baits long enough in advance for them
+to get into the practice of coming to them; then place your traps, if
+possible, just before a fall of snow, and you are almost certain of
+catching one. The traps should always be set with care and treated as
+already described, to cover the scent of iron, as a fox considers the
+scent of man and iron a dangerous combination, and they undoubtedly
+know about traps and fear them.
+
+  [Illustration: CAUGHT ON HIS OWN FARM.]
+
+I like to use a live bait for fox and bobcats, and a rabbit is about
+the best for this purpose, because they are easily secured. They form
+the principal game of these animals and they are nearly always
+looking for them. It is, I think, safe to say, that each grown fox or
+bobcat kill two hundred each on an average every year. The sight or
+hot scent of any game these animals are accustomed to hunt excites
+them, and their faculties are at once concentrated on how to capture
+and get on the outside of said game as soon as possible. Under such
+conditions, they fall more easy prey to trappers' wiles. Select a
+point where you know foxes hunt, or not far from some den or ledge
+which they use. Find a hollow log or some tree that has a hollow butt
+with an opening; in either case, plug the hollow securely so the
+rabbit will have to stay up near the opening, put in some carrots, or
+ears of corn, and cover the hole with woven wire, having about an
+inch mesh, or some barb wire stapled across will sometimes answer;
+they may in some cases be afraid of the wire, but I have had
+excellent success with this method, and my opinion is that the sight
+of live game makes them reckless (on one occasion I caught a fox in a
+wooden box about eight inches square and three or four feet long,
+having a wire door, hinged at the top and slanting in,--a
+self-setter--the trap had a live rabbit inside and was set along a creek,
+for the purpose of taking a mink alive and uninjured).
+
+If this method is used as a snow set, brush out all tracks, and
+whether on snow or bare ground, always make as few tracks and leave
+as little sign as possible around your traps. When setting for any
+shy animal, don't cover or handle trap or clog with bare hands. Use
+gloves and a small wooden spade.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+TENNESSEE TRAPPER'S METHODS.
+
+Do you trap foxes? If you do I bet you have some favorite way, and
+too, doubtless in most respects it's different from my way of
+trapping them, as there seems to be almost as many methods as there
+are successful trappers; nor either is the same confined to the
+methods used, but to the kind of traps employed, baits, scents, etc.,
+says B. P. Pickens.
+
+The Water Set, the Sheep Path Methods, are national, and known to be
+O. K., though the former requires bait attractions, and lots of other
+preparations, while the latter with me has never necessarily required
+baits or scents to make it a good success.
+
+I do not confine my fox trapping to any one method long, for I am
+always governed by the surroundings, and conditions, yet my traps are
+set and concealed the same way, no matter for what animals I intend
+to trap.
+
+My traps set for skunk and rats are just as carefully set and
+concealed as though they were set for fox and coon.
+
+My favorite is a Newhouse Fox Trap for every purpose, as it will
+hold.
+
+My reasons for using nothing smaller than a No. 2 Fox Trap is that a
+fellow does not always know if a fox will happen about his skunk
+traps or a big coon about his rat traps, and since I have found Mr.
+Fox and Mr. Coon a few times in the toils I make every preparation
+for his reception.
+
+I will endeavor to tell some of the things I do, which is a good way
+to take a fox. I commence early in the spring, if the ground is not
+ready to arrange for my fall and winter trapping, looking out for
+their signs, and continue to keep my eyes open all summer and around
+the pastures, in the fields, old roads, and in the woods, gullies and
+washouts. I arrange to trap them in stock paths by laying a limb or
+fence rail across these paths, while the use of stock all summer
+renders it old, and on either side of this path obstruction is just
+the place for a fox trap. I cut and wire my trap chain to the middle
+of a brush, one that a fox can drag some distance away, which leaves
+this same place a good risk for another catch, where if stapled to
+something he could not move he would render the place unfit for the
+rest of the season.
+
+Conceal your trap by digging a hole on either side of the path
+obstruction the size of the trap to be used, setting trap always
+springs with path, have the hole deep enough so when the trap is well
+covered with leaves, then on the leaves a layer of dirt, it will just
+be level with the earth and look natural.
+
+To use this same underground method in cold freezing weather, first
+bed the trap hole good with dry leaves, or grass, over springs and
+all, being sure to use dry flat leaves to lay over the pan and jaws,
+then cover over all with some of the remaining dirt before mentioned.
+
+Be sure to hide chain and handle everything with gloves.
+
+Now brush out your tracks, step over your trap and go on.
+
+One way of trapping foxes may be done like this. Around the pastures
+and in the woods where stock make paths lay a fence rail, or its
+equivalent across these paths, and the use of stock during the summer
+months will render these prearranged obstructions worn and natural by
+November trapping, and on either side of such an obstruction is a
+splendid place to set your trap for the fox to step in, writes L. M.
+Pickens.
+
+Paths, places under fences, little washouts, and old roads not much
+used are generally his favorite travels. See after his tracks in the
+dust, mud, or snow; notice how he steps over one of these
+obstructions that you arranged early in the summer, and other places,
+studying him, then set your trap this way, using every precaution to
+not change any of the surroundings.
+
+  [Illustration: TENNESSEE TRAPPERS AND TRAPS.]
+
+Carry with you a little hard wood stick, ready sharpened, with which
+to dig a hole on either side of this obstruction that has been lying
+over the stock path just the size of your trap, and deep enough so
+your trap pan and jaws will be a little below the level of the
+surface. Now cover over springs good and all around the outside of
+jaws with some of this dirt you dug up; now you have the trap
+concealed all but its pan and inside of jaws; finish the set by
+laying some small flat leaves from jaws to pan, commencing and going
+all the way around jaws; after this is done pulverize some of the
+remaining dirt, and sprinkle it over these leaves, entirely covering
+them. Take a small twig and level over trap, finishing the job. It
+might help some to cut a part of a bird into fine pieces, dropping it
+and loose feathers over this kind of a set.
+
+To fasten the trap is some of the job. Cut a bush with a lot of limbs
+to it, and wire your trap to the middle of same securely, but do not
+have the brush drag so heavily that he cannot run off with it; it is
+intended for him to go immediately after he is caught, for these
+reasons, he will soon hang up some distance away, and thus fastened,
+he is not stationed at this good place where another may be caught,
+besides his chances of pulling out of the trap is less than it is if
+he was stapled to something he could not move. The brush is a give
+and take game, see?
+
+Be sure to cover chain of trap good, and have everything look as
+natural when you leave us when you came to set trap. Use No. 2
+Newhouse, handling it and everything with gloves; always stand In one
+place; leave no paper or whittlings on the premises. I use this
+method just outlined. Try it boys.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+MANY GOOD METHODS.
+
+There is no animal roaming the woods so hard to catch in a steel trap
+as the fox, says a writer in the _Orange Judd Farmer_. Yet when one
+understands his nature he is easily taken despite his cunning. The
+following method I have employed successfully: First take four good
+steel traps and cover them with fresh blood at a slaughter house.
+Take a dead hen (one that has died a natural death will do if there
+is no odor), and run a wire up in her head and down in her body; also
+wires through her feet and legs. Select a place where foxes run near
+a low bush or small tree. On a branch of this, about three feet from
+the ground, fasten your hen solidly with the wires in her feet. By
+means of wire in her neck, bend it so she will look as if she were on
+a roost. Be very particular on this point. Set your trap a little
+below the surface of the soil, so that the tops are level. Now cover
+up with leaves and grass so that there is no difference in appearance
+from the surrounding ground. Be sure the chains are well staked. Mr.
+Fox comes up and sees the hen. He squats down on his stomach. He will
+lie there for five minutes watching the hen. Then he makes a spring
+for her neck, and gets it, but the traps get him and the boy gets the
+fox if he is cute enough.
+
+  * * *
+
+Well here is how I caught my first fox, says C. F. Hotchkiss, of
+Wisconsin. It was in the winter of 1887 and 1888. I was working for a
+farmer here in Shawano Co., had to drive the stock to the river to
+water all winter. I noticed fox tracks on the ice so I bought a
+double spring Newhouse. Gave 60 cents for it, took some chaff from the
+hay in the cow stable for a bed and set the trap on the river bank
+under a large hemlock to protect it from storms, covered trap with
+chaff and strewed pieces of chicken and feathers on the bed. In four
+days I had two foxes, then some one stole my trap and I did not try
+any more then. Last winter I was working for the same farmer again.
+He lost two sheep. We drew the carcasses out in the woods, set four
+traps at one sheep and six at the other. In seven weeks we had 14
+foxes and we lost no time from other work. We pulled wool from the
+sheep to cover the traps with. I do not think it best to spit near a
+fox trap, especially tobacco spit. There may be some foxes that do
+not care for it, but I know they are not all built that way.
+
+One of my methods of trapping Reynard was as follows: First,
+thoroughly besmear the trap with droppings from cattle, using no
+other preparation, neither boiling or smoking, as some recommend to
+prevent their fear of human scent, then my favorite sets being in the
+path of some old timber or wood road or cattle path in some unusual
+pasture. After selecting the place best suited, according to my best
+judgment, take a knife to cut out a hole corresponding to size of
+trap, remove carefully all loose earth. I usually carried a small
+basket for the reception of everything taken up this way. Set the
+trap carefully, covering loosely with some coarse material and
+topping the whole with material to correspond with the surrounding
+surface of paths, and lastly laying a small twig across just at one
+side of where the trap is set, as a fox will always step over any
+small obstruction, and by placing the twig in this manner he would
+step over into the trap.
+
+  [Illustration: THIRTY SILVER FOX SKINS WORTH $5000.]
+
+In the section of country which I am now writing, that just east of
+the White Mountains in New Hampshire, there were innumerable such
+roads and paths, so that I had all the territory I desired for the
+purpose. Have caught many a sly chap in this manner. Had a good
+grapple at end of chain and never fastened a trap but let them make a
+few jumps when they would nearly always get caught up, yet on a few
+occasions have had to put up a pretty stiff hunt before locating
+them. For instance, there might be a snow storm, if late in the
+season, or a heavy rain. In this case there might not be any signs to
+go by, and I would have to go on a blind hunt and cover considerable
+ground before I could skin my fox.
+
+  * * *
+
+I had my traps all set one fall and everything was coming my way,
+until one morning I found that I was dealing with a fox that knew as
+much about trapping as I did. I had my trap set in a spring and every
+time he wanted to steal bait he could manage it without getting into
+the trap. I let the trap set the same way and kept it baited but
+meanwhile I was thinking of a plan to capture him. In fixing the
+spring I made a dam out of dirt, placing a few small flat stones on
+top of it. Now I made up my mind that as the dam was the nearest
+point to the bait that he must be stealing it from that place. Now I
+took the trap out of the spring and put in a stone covered with a
+tuft of grass to resemble the trap and setting the trap itself in the
+dam, covering with dirt and laying a little flat stone on the pan. I
+had made up my mind that when he stepped on the dam he would step on
+the small stones that I had laid on top to keep the dirt from washing
+away. While stepping on the dam to reach for the bait he stepped on
+the small stone on the pan and was held fast by a No. 2 1/2 Blake &
+Lamb trap, just as I had calculated on.
+
+  * * *
+
+One way of trapping fox is setting under water, especially in slow
+moving water, is most effectual in killing the trap odor, says a
+Michigan trapper. The metallic smell will not rise through water, but
+will be absorbed and carried away by it. As much as a fortnight
+before setting take a hoe and dig a shallow pool in a swamp where
+foxes are known to cross. Dig it six or seven feet across in a mucky
+ooze and leave a drain way or outlet open so that in event of rain
+storms, water will not rise and stand too deep in the pool. The pool
+should bear as few evidences as possible of having been made by man.
+In the course of a fortnight after the scent of the trapper has faded
+away and leaves have fallen, the trap is smeared with tallow and the
+chain is fastened to long narrow stone, approaching so as to make and
+leave as few tracks as possible. The trap along with the stone and
+chain is set in the bottom of the pool, not in the center, but so
+near one side that the trap will be from 12 to 14 inches from the low
+bank. A little tuft of grass as large as a soda biscuit is placed
+directly over the trap resting on it, so the top of the tuft will
+show a little above the water, looking as though it grew there. About
+a foot beyond it further out in the water another tuft a little
+larger and thicker, is placed so it will show distinctly above the
+water, and on it place the bait. A fox crossing the swamp on a chilly
+day scenting the bait will approach the pool. To avoid wading in the
+cold muddy water he will probably step on the nearest tuft. That is
+the one on the trap in which he will be caught by the foreleg.
+
+  * * *
+
+I will tell you what I know about the fox, says a Canadian trapper.
+He is the slyest animal we have to deal with here. I think the best
+way is to use several different ways to trap foxes, and your chances
+will be doubled in taking them.
+
+Take a horse or beef head and put it out in the woods and leave it
+there for about a week. Then if the foxes have been at it, set your
+traps and cover with leaves or dead pine needles. When you are
+leaving take a brush and brush some snow over your traps to about
+half cover the leaves. Leave no foot marks around and you will be
+pretty sure to get your fox.
+
+Another good way is to take tainted beef or pig kidneys and put them
+at the back of a V, made by two logs falling across each other. I
+took one this way before the snow came, but he got away with my trap.
+
+I have read and heard a lot about human scent and animals being
+afraid of it. I have seen enough to be sure that fox are not afraid
+of either human scent or steel traps, if the dirt is not disturbed
+around the trap.
+
+  * * *
+
+  [Illustration: CALIFORNIA TRAPPER VISITING TRAPS.]
+
+When snow is plentiful so that sly Reynard may be tracked, then
+search out his haunts and find where he sleeps in the day time, says
+a Canadian hunter. They seldom go in holes in the winter, and in the
+bright sunny days are very sleepy. In tracking you will see marks
+where they have been lying, generally in some elevated position close
+to their haunts, where they may be caught napping as they often are
+caught. The snow should be soft so as to make the least noise
+possible, but it is astonishing the amount of noise you can make and
+still not disturb them, providing you have been thoughtful enough to
+keep the wind in your favor, as they are very quick to smell a
+person, so in consequence you should always face the wind and go easy
+in your search. The snow shoes are a great help when the snow is
+deep, as it is then that the fox is easiest gotten as they will not
+go far in the deep snow. Try it boys and be surprised at your
+success.
+
+  * * *
+
+I will try and explain to you my method of catching fox alive, writes
+Howard Hurst, of Pennsylvania. Take a common box trap, put a wire
+partition about 4 inches from back end of trap. On the back end of
+trap put a wire door that you can open and shut. Take the trap to
+some good den, take a small live chicken and put in the back part of
+trap. The noise of the chicken will attract the foxes' attention and
+he will enter the trap door. I saw four caught this way last spring
+by a boy 9 years old.
+
+  * * *
+
+I will mention how you can get a fox without bait, says Jarvis Green,
+of Maine. Look up an old path or wood road where you see that they
+have traveled, and notice a mound or rise of ground; now the foxes
+always stop to urinate on all such places. When you see the wind and
+atmosphere indicates a fall of snow, go and set your trap, smear with
+balsam of fir, cedar, hemlock or spruce, set your trap on center of
+mound and on one side stick up a tree branch to look as if grown
+there, about eight inches high, fasten trap to a clog by the middle,
+cover trap lightly with some fine substance. A drop or two of scent
+is sure of every one that comes along. Try this. The Blake & Lamb
+trap is best. I have only one fault with the single spring and that
+is the trencher is too large. On the new style if the animal steps on
+the edge of trencher, result is a toe or two will be left. Be careful
+in covering trap so that when it springs the jaws will shut tight.
+
+  * * *
+
+  [Illustration: PENNSYLVANIA FOX TRAPPER'S CABIN.]
+
+When I was a boy I used to hunt foxes with dog and gun. In tracking
+them I noticed that they would go to every skunk that was killed,
+writes L. M. Cartwright, of Pennsylvania, near where they traveled,
+and nose around, but never saw where they ate any of it, so I used
+the scent successfully in catching them. I have caught many of them
+in No. 1 Newhouse trap fastened to a clog; had one to pull the staple
+out of a clog and carry trap as much as five miles before catching
+him, and if it had not been for a fresh fall of snow would have been
+out.
+
+About as sure a way to catch fox (if you have the proper place) is to
+snare him. Here they very often cross the creek on logs or trees that
+have fallen across, when the creek is not frozen over. Take about
+three and a half feet of wire, such as is used for baling hay, make a
+snare, staple or spike the end of wire down on the side of the tree
+about the center of the creek, bend wire up so the loop comes over
+the center of log, make loop about seven or eight inches in diameter,
+set small bush on each side, stick in log and cover just over top of
+snare. If properly set will catch fox, coon and dogs (so it is best
+to set where dogs do not travel).
+
+I suppose any log up from the ground high enough would do by using
+the scent from the female fox. Another way, drive a stake beside a
+log, set trap about six to nine inches away, pour fish brine on stake
+and see what it will do. This should be away from dogs.
+
+My way of trapping the fox is by the old method. Take a bushel of
+buckwheat chaff and where foxes travel nearly every night scatter it
+about four feet around, and take a stick and pat the chaff down so it
+is nice and smooth all over the bed. Then take tallow cracklings and
+scatter them over the bed about a foot apart, then leave everything
+natural, and as soon as a fox takes the bait place your trap (which
+should be a double spring Newhouse or a No. 2 1/2 B. & L.) set it in
+center of bed and cover about 3/4 or 1 inch with chaff. Put cotton
+under pan so it will not hinder trap from springing. The trap should
+be fastened to a clog or drag hook. I say to young trappers try my
+way and you will be successful.
+
+  * * *
+
+Do not spit or drop anything or touch anything with your bare hands,
+says a Vermont trapper. Yes, I know some say animals are not afraid
+of human scent. I have my ideas and know what I have to do to be
+successful. If others can make a success in a different way I will
+not disagree with them. You cut a stake, sharpen it at one end, cut
+it about 15 inches long, about 1 inch in diameter; leave a prong
+about three inches long and about three inches from top to stake down
+trap. I will set this No. 2 1/2 Blake now. I ask all of you to pay
+attention, as I have often made the assertion that I could set a fox
+trap before 400 persons and not ten of them would make fox trappers.
+Now let me set this trap and carry it set to this bank, which is a
+sharp knoll about two feet high. I take my digger and cut a sod 6
+inches square. Now I dig a hole back in the bank 6 or 8 inches and
+about three inches across. Make the cavity large enough to set trap
+about 3 inches deep, place ring over stake and drive stake in ground
+under where you set the trap. Set trap so pan will be about three
+inches from mouth of hole and square in front of hole. Now with
+digger cover trap about 1/2 inch deep so it will be all covered
+evenly. Put two pieces of bait in hole beyond trap and about three
+inches from mouth, and one in further end of hole. Drop a few drops
+of scent at mouth of hole and the thing is done. If you have paid
+attention you will see that I have touched nothing with my hands and
+never stepped out of my tracks setting trap.
+
+  * * *
+
+The fox is, without doubt, the most cunning of all cunning animals we
+trappers have to trap, says an Eastern trapper. Many times have I
+been to my fox traps to find one or so turned bottom side up and no
+fox. A fox will reach into a bed and take your bait with his paw, and
+I have trapped them when actions said plain as words, "you can't fool
+me."
+
+I find the No. 1 1/2 Newhouse a very good trap for the fox,
+especially in early fall when the ground don't freeze. A fox will
+start on his nightly rounds and frequent small clearings in woods,
+sandy side hills and such places, and that is the place a trapper
+wants a few tanglefoot. I have trapped fox for quite a number of
+years, and I never caught one by accident yet. I always have to set
+for fox and fox only.
+
+In regard to poisoning, I think that a man that uses it ought to be
+shot full of holes. In regard to iron smell, I will say that fox can
+smell iron, but bury your trap deep enough and you will be all right.
+A good scent is as follows: Take skunk essence, white of eggs, and
+let stand about one week. Use about five drops and I will warrant it
+to be the best fox scent made.
+
+  * * *
+
+We all know it's difficult to catch the fox on dry land, although it
+is done, says a New England trapper. There are thousands of fox who
+fall victims to this way, and I believe it a more successful method
+than any in existence. I shall recommend a spring to set your trap in
+because the water does not rise or fall much, like a brook. Carefully
+dig out your spring in July or August, arranging it so that you will
+have it ready by fall, by placing a flat stone about fifteen inches
+from the stone so it will project above water about one inch; on top
+of this place a sod about three inches thick if possible, and have
+the edges come into the water so it will look natural. Cut your sods
+that you are to fix inside the trap, and lay up to dry when you
+prepare your place.
+
+When the time is ready for setting your trap, go to the place by
+walking up the outlet of the spring or brook, using the greatest
+care, and not touch the brushes or anything around the trap; place
+your trap very near the edge of the spring, about six or eight inches
+from the sod; have the trap entirely under water, and place your sod,
+cut for the purpose, on the pan, have it cover all the space inside
+the trap, and be sure it is out of water enough to offer a dry
+footing for the fox, and not over two inches from the shore.
+
+Some have the shore cut out so half the trap is on apparently dry
+land. Either way is all right. Place your bait on the side of the
+sod, using scent and being sure that your bait or scent cannot be
+reached except by the fox stepping on the pan of the trap, and you
+will get your fox.
+
+When you visit your trap do not go too near, as all these things have
+their effect. I should recommend for bait cat or muskrat, a piece
+half the size of an egg is all right. It should be prepared by
+placing in a perfectly clean jar the number of bait you wish, and
+allow to taint, putting the scent in with the bait, or dropping on
+the bait after you place on sod. You must use the greatest care in
+handling your bait. Do not take out or place on the bait with your
+bare hands. Use a stick.
+
+  [Illustration: NEW ENGLAND TRAPPERS CATCH.]
+
+I have been waiting for some of the fox trappers of the Red River
+Valley, says a Minnesota trapper, to write and tell us how they
+manage to pinch Mr. Reynard's toes. I think we have a harder place
+here to trap fox than you Eastern fellows have. The country is just
+as level as a board and no timber, and we are liable to have a
+blizzard any hour. What makes it hard to trap is that the traps
+always blow in if you haven't got them in a good place. I have quite
+a trick to catch the fox, at least I have had the best luck with it.
+I first find a place where an old straw pile was burned, then smear
+my traps with blood and hide them good in ashes, erase all of my
+tracks and drop a few spirits of anise oil all around. For bait I
+generally use the entrails of a hog or beef. Last winter I caught two
+without any bait; just the oil. Last winter I had good luck with dead
+chickens. I always staple my traps to a clog of about twelve or
+fifteen pounds weight. On this clog I nailed the chicken and I got
+every fox that came around.
+
+I only trapped one month with two traps, No. 2 Newhouse, and I got 6
+fox and 1 wolf, and that was all the fox there were inside of about
+three or four miles, and I didn't have time to go further because I
+am a farmer and have my stock to tend.
+
+  * * *
+
+If you know where there is a meadow with hay or straw stacked out on
+it, says Austin Palin, of Indiana, and if you will go to this stack
+after a little snow and there has been a fox in the field, he will be
+pretty sure to have gone to the stack to nose around. I first go and
+catch some fish about 6 or 8 inches long. I generally get suckers. I
+now clean my traps by boiling them in weak lye, then reboil them in
+evergreen boughs. I think it advisable to run beeswax over your trap,
+but I have had success without the beeswax.
+
+After you have your traps cleaned and fixed do not handle them with
+your bare hands but put on a pair of gloves, take your trap and fish
+and a piece of wood about 4 feet long and the thickness of your arm
+and go to the stack. Now raise up the edge of the hay at the ground
+and slip the fish (one will be enough) back under the hay 6 or 8
+inches, then set your trap directly in front of it, covering with the
+fine chaff; now fasten the trap chain to the piece of wood and slip
+the stick back under the stack, working it around a little so when
+the fox gets fast he can pull it out easily. Now take a stick and
+straighten out the hay over the trap and scratch out all signs and
+your set is complete. Make the above set when there is no snow.
+
+  * * *
+
+We trapped foxes by baiting in beds mostly, says a Michigan trapper,
+though we caught five in the following manner: A wounded deer had
+fallen near two down trees which lap with tops crossed. We drew the
+deer into the apex or pen, as we noticed that foxes had been visiting
+the carcass. We cut notches out of these trees which were old and
+moss-covered, and set traps in the places prepared, covering neatly
+with moss.
+
+Foxes are prone to walk convenient logs investigating anything that
+attracts them, and rarely look for danger under foot if the trap has
+been well placed and cleverly hidden. We smoked our traps and handled
+them with mittens.
+
+  * * *
+
+The red fox is the only species that abounds in this locality, says
+Wm. Muchon, of Minnesota. When run by the hounds he usually keeps
+half a mile ahead, regulating his speed by that of the hounds,
+occasionally pausing a moment to divert himself with a mouse or to
+contemplate the landscape or to listen for his pursuer.
+
+A most spirited and exciting chase occurs when the dogs gets close
+upon one in the open field. The fox relies so confidently upon his
+superior speed that I imagine he half tempts the dog to the race, but
+if he be a smart dog, and their course lies down hill over smooth
+ground, Reynard must put his best foot forward and then sometimes
+suffers the ignominy of being run over by his pursuer, who, however,
+is quite unable to pick him up, owing to the speed. But uphill and in
+the woods the superior nimbleness and agility of the fox tells at
+once.
+
+Carry the carcass of a pig or a fowl to a distant field in
+mid-winter, and in a few nights his tracks cover the snow about it. The
+inexperienced youth, misled by this seeming carelessness of Reynard,
+suddenly conceives a project to enrich himself with fur, and wonders
+why the idea has not occurred to him before and to others. I knew a
+youthful yeoman of this kind who imagined he had found a mine of
+wealth discovering on a remote side hill between two woods a dead
+porker, upon which it appeared all the foxes of the neighborhood did
+nightly banquet.
+
+The clouds were burdened with snow and as the first flakes began to
+eddy down he set out, trap and broom in hand, already counting over
+in imagination the silver quarters he would receive for the first fox
+skin. With the utmost care and with a palpitating heart he removed
+enough of the trodden snow to allow the trap to sink below the
+surface. The next morning at dawn he was on his way to bring his fur.
+The snow had done its work effectually, and he believed had kept his
+secret well.
+
+Approaching nearer, the surface was unbroken, and doubt usurped the
+place of certainty in his mind. A slight wound marked the side of the
+porker, but there was no footprint near it. Looking up the hill, he
+saw where Reynard had walked leisurely down toward his wanted bacon
+till within a few yards when he had wheeled, and with prodigious
+strides disappeared in the woods. The stream of silver quarters
+suddenly set in another direction.
+
+The successful trapper commences in the fall, or before the first
+deep snow. In a field not too remote with an old axe he cuts a small
+place, say ten inches by fourteen in the frozen ground, and removes
+the earth to the depth of three or four inches, then fills the cavity
+with dry ashes in which are placed bits of roasted cheese. Reynard is
+very suspicious and gives the place a wide berth, but the cheese is
+savory and the cold severe. He ventures a little closer every night
+until he can reach and pick out a piece from the ashes, and finding a
+fresh supply of the delectable morsels every night is soon thrown off
+his guard and his suspicions lulled.
+
+After a week of baiting in this way, the trapper carefully conceals
+his trap in the bed, first smoking it thoroughly with hemlock boughs
+so as to kill all smell of iron. If the weather favors, and the
+proper precautions have been taken he may succeed, though the chances
+are still greatly against him.
+
+  * * *
+
+I will say that we keep four of the best fox traps in the shape of
+four hounds that can be found in our part of the country, writes J.
+A. McKinnon, of Canada, and as for the month of November we sold
+$85.00 worth of fur, it will be easily seen that they pay for their
+keep. The fox hound, like the coon dog, must be a good one, properly
+bred and trained for the purpose, and they are never first class
+until they are two or three years old, although I have killed foxes
+ahead of dogs that were only nine months old, but these turned out to
+be exceptionally good dogs, and out of a litter of six or eight
+puppies half of the number may be worthless for what I call a good
+fox hound is one that will hunt for his fox alone, and that will run
+all day if necessary.
+
+I went out on the first snow and in one day captured three foxes, two
+of which I shot, and the other ran into a hollow log; he was running
+so hard I believe he would have got into the rail if there had been
+no hole at all. I also find that the morning is the best time to find
+a fresh track, as it is then that Reynard is up and taking his
+morning walk through the old barren meadows, and partly cleared
+fields, in search of mice and other small game.
+
+In my experience I find that the females do not move around so much
+in the day time as the males do, for they are shyer than the males
+and are possessed of more cunningness. In our travels we always mark
+any fox dens we come across, so as to pay them a friendly call after
+a fresh fall of snow.
+
+We use the Winchester repeating shot guns, and find that for long
+range and quick shooting they are the best. We sometimes use our
+rifles but a fox is a small mark to shot at if he is running at full
+speed. Brother trappers, get a pair of good fox hounds and you will
+get more foxes than with all the traps you could set in a week.
+
+  * * *
+
+I don't think there are many men now living that have skinned many
+more fox than I have, yet I can learn every year something new about
+Reynard, says O. Douglass, of Michigan. But what I do want to know is
+this: I see so much about water sets, and I don't understand how it
+can be done only for the fun of it. I have bought for many years, and
+I have as yet to see many prime water trapped fox. They are caught
+too early to be prime, and I can't see where the money comes in to
+pay for your trouble.
+
+Now trappers, don't you think it is better to make some fine dry land
+sets in July or August and bait them once a week until they are
+prime, and you have them coming to your beds and they are not afraid
+of your work? I say this to young trappers. I have been trying all
+ways for sixty years and have caught them many different ways, but I
+do think the water set is the poorest way of all. Dry land sets for
+me every time in November and December.
+
+I make my beds early and I use the scrap from hog's lard. I take one
+skunk scent bag to each bed to draw them to the bait, and when they
+come once they will call again.
+
+I see where a buyer was called to buy 14 fox hides and only found one
+prime skin. All water caught. That is my experience with water caught
+fox. They have to be caught too early. It may be different in some
+localities, but not here, as the water is frozen by the time fox are
+prime. Try dry land sets and see if I am not right, and have more
+money for your work later on.
+
+I always set two traps to one bed, and cover with dry dirt until it
+freezes. Then I use chaff. Handle all with clean gloves and be as
+cunning as a fox yourself.
+
+  [Illustration: PACK OF NEW ENGLAND FOX HOUNDS.]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FRED AND THE OLD TRAPPER.
+
+Young trappers can learn much by making the rounds with experienced
+trappers. The following conversation between Fred and an old
+Pennsylvania trapper is interesting:
+
+"Where was the trap set? I do not see any bait pen."
+
+"Fred, you take this stick and walk up slowly to him; go up close and
+give him a sharp blow across the back of the neck. That will fix him.
+You see that big mossy log laying on the bank over there. That was
+where he was caught. We will now set the trap again. See this little
+sink in the log. That is where the trap was set. This limb is what
+the trap was fastened to, one end on the ground and the other comes
+just up to the log where the trap is set, and we will staple the trap
+to it. We will now cover it with moss just like this on this log, but
+we will get it from another log. No one could tell that there was a
+trap there."
+
+"Will not the fox smell it?"
+
+"He might if it was not for this fox carcass. We will skin the fox.
+Look out there, Fred, do not disturb the moss or anything on that log
+where the trap is. Keep away from that. We will put this carcass in
+the little hollow and will drive a crotched stake straddle of its
+neck; drive it well down; now take this stick and rake some leaves
+over it, cover the neck where the stake is quite well, the rest of
+the carcass only lightly. You have done it very well and the fox will
+not notice what scent there is on the trap as long as that carcass is
+there."
+
+"But you had no carcass there when you caught this one, and I have
+heard that a fox was afraid of the scent of iron."
+
+"That is all bosh! Keep the traps free from all foreign scent and you
+need not be afraid of the scent of the iron, but if you catch some
+animal in the trap then you must have some of the scent of that
+animal around near the trap. This will overcome what scent there is
+on the trap. This, however, is only necessary with shy animals like
+the fox. Coon and skunk are not afraid of what they smell.
+
+"How did you know that a fox would go on that log where that trap was
+set?"
+
+"By knowing the nature of the animal. When the fox smelt the bear
+bait in the pen there we knew that he would get on the highest point
+near the pen to investigate, and that point was that log."
+
+"Is this the only way you catch foxes?"
+
+"No, this is only one of the many ways."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+EXPERIENCED TRAPPER'S TRICKS.
+
+The fox is the most cunning animal we have, consequently he is the
+most difficult one to trap, says C. E. Matheny, of Ohio. But like all
+other animals he has a weak point, and if you attack him at this
+point he will, without a doubt, fall into your snares. One of the
+most important things when about to trap a fox is to have the trap
+perfectly clean. The word clean, in this sense, does not allude to
+freedom from rust, but means that the trap should be entirely free
+from human scent. In order to avoid this, the trap must be thoroughly
+washed in lye and when dry, well greased and smoked over burning
+feathers. It has already been said that the fox has a very keen
+scent, but it is particularly shy and scary at the least odor of the
+human body. It is therefore necessary when handling the trap to use
+clean buckskin, or still better, rubber gloves, and unless this
+important precaution is observed success is very improbable. The next
+step is to make the bed for the trap, and although there are various
+ways of doing this, the following, I believe, is the best method.
+
+The bed should be about three and a half feet in diameter, and made
+of wheat, hay or buckwheat chaff. Some trappers use wood ashes, but
+any of the above will be found better. The ground upon which the bed
+is made should be hollowed out in the center so as to admit the trap,
+and the bed should be made as hard as possible and deep enough to
+cover the trap, and at the same time be perfectly level with the
+ground.
+
+When the bed is made as directed, take the trap (which should be a
+No. 2 and have a chain and clog attached to it) and place it in the
+hollow in the center of the bed. After setting the trap put some of
+the chaff inside the jaws as high as the pan. Cover the pan with
+paper so that the chaff will not prevent its working freely, and then
+cover the whole with chaff and level it off so that the fox will not
+suspect a trap to be there; finally bait it with fresh meat, cheese,
+or better still, cracklings after lard is pressed out. Scatter them
+liberally over the bed; do not tramp about the bed more than is
+absolutely necessary, and cover up all foot-tracks as much as
+possible.
+
+It is a good plan to smear the trap with assafoetida or melted
+beeswax, with a few drops of the oil of rhodium. These are all good
+and may be employed for the purpose of deceiving a particularly
+cunning fellow after all other stratagems fail. Another good plan is
+to bait the bed several times before setting the trap, until the fox
+begins to think that this is the best place it ever knew to find a
+choice morsel ready at all hours. When a proper degree of confidence
+appears to have been established then put the trap in its place and
+catch him--if you can.
+
+  * * *
+
+First take a No. 3 Blake & Lamb trap, and look around over the fields
+or woods and find where the sand has washed down and is fine as wood
+ashes, says F. A. Aurand, of Michigan. You will always find if you
+keep close watch over the fields that a fox likes to get on the fine
+sand and play or walk over and around on it for some reason, as you
+will always find their tracks on the sand in the fall and spring. Now
+take for bait any of the following: dead chicken, or turkey, or
+beef's hind leg, but I think the best is beef's old head. Now take
+the old head, dig down in the sand and set the head down in the sand
+so that the jaws and nose are out of the sand about to the eyes. Now
+take your traps, about three No. 3 B. & L. traps, take a stake and
+fasten the rings to the stake, and drive the stake below the surface
+of the sand and cover it over the top.
+
+Now dig a small trench for the chains, lay the chains in the
+trenches, a trench for each chain. Spread the traps each way from the
+old head, and set the trap out away from the head as far as the
+chains will let them go, by driving the stake right close to the
+head. Then dig a small place in the sand so the trap will set just
+level with the surface of the sand, for each trap to set in. Take a
+small piece of cotton batton and put enough under each pan of the
+traps to keep the sand from getting under pans so they won't spring.
+Now take the sand that you took out of the places for the traps and
+cover them all over, traps, chains and all. Then take a small bush
+and brush out all your tracks and over the traps. If you have done
+your work well you can hardly tell where the traps are. You can use
+some good scent on the sand or on the old head, but I don't think it
+needs it. Fix the old head in the sand quite a little while before
+you want to trap. All I ever caught I caught in this way. If you do
+everything right I am sure of your success.
+
+  * * *
+
+I have visited hundreds of trappers in Maine and Canada, and have
+learned many of the secrets of successful trapping from them and also
+from my own personal experience and observation, writes N. C.
+Burbank. I have come to the conclusion that the basis of all the most
+successful secret decoys for catching fox is the substance taken from
+the glands of the female fox during the running season, mixed with
+grease of some sort, together with contents of the glands of the
+skunk, preferably the female taken in the spring or latter part of
+the winter. I do not pretend to say that every one will be successful
+who uses that decoy. I am of the opinion, if directions are closely
+followed in the following method of water trapping for fox, you are
+reasonably sure to catch them if you use that decoy.
+
+During the month of August or September select some spring or place
+about a foot and a half from the edge, or in the center of a circular
+spring that is not over 4 feet wide, a sod 8 or 10 inches across, and
+arrange a place to set the trap a few inches from the outside. This
+must be done early in the season, so all evidence of human work and
+scent will be removed before trapping time.
+
+  [Illustration: THE SPRING AND SOD SET.]
+
+When the season arrives you are ready to set your trap, and you do so
+in the following manner: In selecting springs you must find one that
+has an outlet so you can walk in the water for a distance of three
+rods, six or eight is better. Set your trap and take it up to the
+spring or place selected, walking in the water and using the greatest
+care not to touch bushes or anything to leave the scent of yourself.
+Place the trap in the place prepared in the early season, being sure
+it is covered over entirely, chain and all, by water. Then cover with
+dead leaves or whatever is on the bottom of the spring. Place upon
+the trap pan a small sod as light a one as possible, allowing it to
+be out of the water at least one inch so that the fox in reaching for
+the bait will step on the sod, which should be six or eight inches
+from the shore. Fox, like the human being, do not like to wet their
+feet.
+
+Now you have the trap set and then comes the baiting. Take a small
+piece of meat and place it on the larger sod, using great care not to
+leave human scent, take a few drops of this decoy and place on the
+bait. Also take a rotten stick and break off a piece 6 or 8 inches
+long, being careful of handling, and place two or three drops on the
+end and stick it into the sod so it will stick up two inches or such
+a matter above it. Your trap is now ready for Reynard, and if you use
+great care in setting and in visiting your traps I am certain of your
+success.
+
+There are many methods of catching foxes and I am acquainted with
+them, not all, perhaps, as each man has a little different way, but I
+am satisfied the above for a water set it correct.
+
+  * * *
+
+Here in the East where I am trapping near the mountains, if we could
+not catch fox on the snow path we would not get any prime fur, says
+J. H. Shufelt, of Canada.
+
+I will give one of my snow sets that I use here for fox. It may not
+fit your case as every locality calls for its own method, and foxes
+are slyer in some places than others. I use a No. 3 Blake & Lamb trap
+with a three foot chain and grapple. How to fix the trap? I take a
+large kettle and fill with water and put my traps in and get the
+water boiling hot. For every dozen of traps I put in one-half pint of
+lime not air slacked, and boil for ten minutes. Now take out your
+traps, which will be odorless and white as snow, and use gloves in
+handling and setting them.
+
+  [Illustration: ODORLESS AND WHITE AS SNOW.]
+
+When you get ready to set your traps go out in a large field where
+foxes are traveling, make a good path across the field by traveling
+back and forth. Where you want to make a set leave a little partition
+across the path to guide the fox in the trap, which is covered with
+white paper and a little snow. Be careful in setting and not leave
+tracks outside of the path nor lay any sticks across. When going to
+your traps walk in the path, which makes it better, and don't let too
+much snow get over them. Be careful and you will get your fox.
+
+Do foxes eat skunk? I might say in answer to this question they do,
+and they will kill skunk if found outside of their dens. And if a fox
+is run in a den where there is a skunk, their odor is most always
+sure to prove fatal to a fox in a very short time. Several instances
+of this kind have happened in this locality where I am hunting and
+trapping.
+
+Foxes are very fond of skunk for food, and the musk makes a good
+scent for trapping foxes. A good scent for cold weather, for it never
+freezes.  No doubt a good trapper will say, give me fresh bait. I
+might say give me a strong smelling bait, for when the fox is
+smelling a strong bait or scent he cannot smell anything else at the
+same time.
+
+Now for instance, if you were going out for a fox hunt, and your
+hound got scented by skunk, it would spoil his scenting anything, and
+he could not follow the trail. Several experiences have led me to
+think this is one reason why we make a better catch on a damp or
+rainy night. The bait smells so much stronger that it takes up more
+of the game's sense of smell and makes our chance of a catch better.
+The old trapper will oftimes make this remark, "Boys, I am going to
+make a big catch tonight--why, because it is going to be a damp and
+rainy night." Who knows why?
+
+I trap foxes by land and water set. I sometimes use a set called the
+all around land set. Every locality calls for its own method. I use
+two kinds of traps, Blake & Lamb and Newhouse. They are both all
+right. My trapping grounds are near the mountains where the foxes
+defy fox hounds, for they have dens in the rocks.
+
+The Hunter-Trader-Trapper, Columbus, Ohio, is in touch with fox
+trappers, hunters and owners of hounds from all parts of America, so
+that interesting articles are constantly being received and
+published.
+
+  [Illustration: CANADIAN TRAPPER AND FIFTEEN REDS.]
+
+The following, by W. J. Taylor, of New York, is his method for
+trapping the red fox: Choose a rotten stump near their runways, cut
+out a cavity in the top of the stump deep enough to set trap and
+allow one-half inch of finely pulverized rotten wood to cover trap,
+spring and chain. Do not handle pulverized wood with your hands. Have
+your traps thoroughly greased, chain and all, then smoke with
+hemlock, spruce, cedar or pine boughs. Smoke until trap and chain are
+black. This is to stop the smell of steel. Sometimes I use a moss
+covered stump, that is a stump with moss growing all or partly around
+its sides. Cut the cavity the same in stump, cover lightly with
+pulverized rotten wood.
+
+Now go to another moss covered stump, cut moss enough to cover top of
+stump, cut a circular piece out a little smaller than jaws of trap,
+place this right on top of trap, then place the rest on top of stump,
+trim outsides to match outside of stump. Handle moss with sharpened
+stick and knife, never with bare hands unless set is made one week
+before baiting and scenting. I generally make my sets two weeks
+before placing bait and scent.
+
+Place bait about six or eight feet from stump, always on lower
+hillside. Daub your fox scent on top of stump, side towards your
+bait. For bait I use muskrat carcasses, skunk, dead hens, rabbits,
+fish or partly decomposed meat. My receipt for fox scent is fish oil
+one-half pint (made by placing fish in glass can in summer and
+hanging in sun until decomposed) the musk sacks of ten or more
+muskrats, one or more fox matrix which are obtained from the female
+fox, also fat from the inside of either sex is good. Mix all
+together. It will surely draw the fox.
+
+  [Illustration: ADIRONDACK TRAPPER.]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+REYNARD OUTWITTED.
+
+A good fox year can be counted upon with reasonable certainty once
+every five years, says Martin Hunter, on the Labrador coast, at least
+so say the oldest residents. The year before they begin to come down
+from the interior, then the climax for great numbers. Then the
+following year they decrease in numbers to what they were two years
+before, and the winter following so few that one or two about in
+miles of coast is a rarity.
+
+Such was the case in the winter of 71; 69 had been a great fox year.
+What was not trapped in the winter of 70 had migrated back to the
+remote interior. Between the posts of Scum Islands and Moisie, a
+distance of twenty-one miles of coast, there was only known to be one
+fox--a red one--with a claw missing on his right paw, and he was as
+cunning an old fellow as ever bothered a trapper. For a night or two
+he would play all kinds of tricks down about Moisie, and then we
+would hear of him around Seven Islands. There being no kind of
+hunting, the people got anxious as to who would succeed in catching
+the old rascal.
+
+Bait would be sprinkled about at certain places, and no traps. Big
+tail would come around and eat every scrap; this would be done for
+two or three nights in succession, and then the hunter would think
+the fox's fears were allayed, and carefully put two or three traps
+and the bait as usual. Next morning the bait would be gone, as
+before, but he would find his traps turned up side down.
+
+  [Illustration: FOX TRAPS WITH DRAGS.]
+
+The fox we will say would pass and repass at a certain up-turned root
+or a point of trees, then the hunter would think a trap in his beaten
+track would surely nip him. Not so, however. The trap would be nicely
+concealed, but old Reynard would deflex his road to suit the
+circumstances. Smoking, greasing, or all the usual modes of taking
+the smell from the iron traps were of no avail; when a trap was set
+where his supper was spread, that old fox would begin by digging a
+trench from a distance off in a straight line for the hidden traps,
+the closer he got to the danger the slower and more cautiously he
+would work. This we could see plainly next morning by standing
+outside his works and reading his signs.
+
+There were better and older trappers in the field after this old
+stayer's life, but it was given to me to circumvent his maneuvers and
+possess his fur. I had reset my traps near the bait two nights in
+succession in the exact place where he had turned them over, and of
+course he burrowed along his old trench to get at them. This I
+carefully noted and set another trap in the trench on edge. Something
+told me I was going to be successful, and I hardly slept that night.
+I was on my snowshoes and off at the first grey of the February
+morning. Before I got to the point where my traps were set I saw his
+fresh tracks leading off in the same direction I was going. My heart
+beat with expectation and anticipation as I hurried forward; it was
+not for the value of the beast, but to have it to say I had killed
+the cunning fox of 1871 where all the old hunters had failed.
+
+Yes there he was sure enough, as I turned the last point; I could
+hardly credit my good fortune, and was so afraid that he would even
+now escape that I walked right on top of him with my snowshoes. He
+was pinned down tight with my weight and was powerless to even
+wriggle. I slipped my left hand under the snowshoe and with my other
+hand pulled down his heart; a quiver or two and that fox was a good
+fox.
+
+Indians never strike or shoot either foxes, mink or marten when they
+find them alive in the traps, as it causes the blood to collect and
+congeal where the blow was given, and spoils the looks of the skin,
+besides the annoyance of the blood when skinning. They hold the
+animal by the neck and with the other hand pull down the heart until
+the heart-strings break, and death is as sudden as if the spine were
+severed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+FOX SHOOTING.
+
+The fox, although the cleverest animal sought after by New England
+hunters and trappers, says L. W. Beardsley, of Connecticut, seems to
+have one decided drawback, that of sight, which frequently costs him
+his life. Sly and clever with very acute nose and ear, he appears to
+be unable to tell a man from a tree or stone by sight alone, provided
+the person remains motionless, but the slightest motion is detected
+and sends him dusting for cover. The above I have proved to my entire
+satisfaction time and again when hunting this animal, a few instances
+of which I will quote below.
+
+While walking along the tracks of the Berkshire Division R. R., which
+were bounded on the west by a steep hill with a fence three boards
+high, placed horizontally about eight inches apart skirting the
+track, I noticed beneath the lower board the legs of a fox moving
+toward me some seventy-five yards away. I stopped between the rails,
+half raising my 38-40 Stevens, telescope mounted, and waited for a
+favorable shot. When some thirty yards away the fox crawled under the
+fence and trotted down the bank immediately in front of me, where I
+stood in plain view. He stopped in the middle of the track and looked
+towards me unconcernedly for several seconds, then swung his head
+down the tracks in the direction of a train which was rapidly
+approaching from the south. This was my chance. I brought the cross
+hairs to bear just back of his foreleg and pulled. With one mighty
+bound in the air he fell back across the rails without a struggle,
+and I had to do some hustling to pull him out of the way before the
+train was upon us.
+
+  [Illustration: KILLED BEFORE BREAKFAST.]
+
+Again I was sitting on a stone, my back against a wall in an open
+pasture lot waiting in hopes a fox might use the runway which passed
+close by. I had been waiting quietly since 4 A. M. It was now 6:30,
+and I had nearly given up hopes of seeing a fox that morning and was
+getting perhaps rather careless about watching, when something
+rustled in the grass, and raising my eyes without moving my head, I
+saw a red fox in the act of passing in front of me not more than ten
+or fifteen feet away in the open lot.
+
+I remained motionless until he was well past, then raising my gun
+slowly and carefully I fired at the back of his head as he was
+trotting leisurely away, all unconscious of my presence, and perhaps
+only saw twenty-five yards off. The fox never knew what had killed
+him, and I often wonder if that load of shot surprised him more than
+his sudden appearance surprised me, as I sat dozing on the rock. I
+used on this occasion a 10 ga. full choke Winchester, level action
+repeater Model 1901, loaded with 4 1/2 drs. black powder and 1 1/4
+oz. B. shot.
+
+Late one afternoon several years ago while out hunting grey squirrel
+at Swamp Mortar Rock with Wm. E. Howes I, who was hunting about 200
+yards south of "Bill," heard a fox barking just over a rise of
+ground, and cautiously approaching saw two foxes digging at the roots
+of a decayed stump. Just as I was getting within effective gun shot
+range I stepped on a twig which snapped with my weight. The sound
+started the animals. Neither saw me, however, as I had remained
+perfectly motionless. The moment the twig broke one took a course due
+east, the other quartered toward me disappearing in the thick
+laurels. There was a small opening in these bushes opposite me, and
+with cocked gun trained on this spot I waited the appearance of the
+fox.
+
+In a moment he was in the clearing, and as he was stepping over a log
+about 30 yards away I gave him my right barrel and tumbled him over,
+and as he endeavored to get up I put on the finishing touches with my
+left. I was using a Baker full choke 28 in. 12 ga. loaded with 3 1/4
+drs. black powder with 1 1/8 oz. No. 7 shot.
+
+  [Illustration: RESULTS OF A THREE DAYS HUNT.]
+
+While looking for woodchuck signs early one spring on my way to
+pasture, I was following a old logging road when I saw a fox crossing
+in front of me and disappear in the ferns, going toward a high ledge
+west of the road. I stood still and waited. When the fox reached the
+lower part of the ledge he stopped about 75 or 80 yards from me and
+sat down. When his head was turned away I would sneak cautiously a
+few feet nearer, always standing motionless when he looked my way,
+and thus reduced the distance between us to about 50 yards.
+
+At this point just as I was about to shoot the fox, who was partially
+concealed with leaves and ferns, moved some 10 yards up the ledge and
+was getting uneasy, although he had not seen me, and the wind was
+unfavorable for closer approach. I waited and he climbed nearly to
+the top of the ledge and laid down on a flat rock in the sun. With
+the utmost caution I slowly crawled back to the road and approached
+his foxship from the west, keeping some large rocks between us until
+I had approached within 35 yards. He was sitting up, breast toward me
+as I cautiously peeped over a rock, but his head was turned away, so
+I stepped out into plain view, leveling my gun as I did so. Slowly
+the fox turned his head and faced me, but he appeared to see nothing
+unusual in the silent figure clad in the worn gray hunting coat,
+brown overalls and soft brown hat.
+
+I could see him twitch his ears and blink his eyes lazily in the
+glare of the setting sun. Fully a minute I stood admiring the
+picture. It seemed a pity to kill this clever fellow I had so easily
+outwitted. My eye dropped a little lower, the brass bead trembled on
+his breast, and through the faint haze of smokeless powder I saw the
+old quail thief kicking and struggling in the edge of the ledge. A
+moment later he toppled over his carcass, bounding from rock to rock
+in its 50 foot descent. I was using a 12 ga. full choke 30 in.
+Stevens, smokeless and B shot.
+
+Another time I was sitting in the woods for grey squirrel early in
+October. It was about 5:30 A. M. and just getting light. I heard the
+tread of an animal behind me and the rustle of leaves, which ceased a
+few feet away. By rolling my eyes and slightly moving my head I could
+see the outlines of a fox standing behind me, hardly ten feet away.
+Cautiously I attempted to move the muzzle of my gun in his direction,
+but he detected me immediately and disappeared midst the laurels like
+a flash.
+
+Although he had stood two or three minutes within a few feet of me
+before I attempted to turn evidently trying to figure out what I was,
+not until I had made a movement did he realize he was so near his old
+enemy, "man," which goes to show that Mr. Fox, with every other sense
+alert, is like many other of his wild brethren, unable to tell man
+from an inanimate by mere sight alone, when he remains motionless.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+A SHREWD FOX.
+
+Several years ago, when foxes were more numerous here than they are
+now, the writer, R. B., of Canada, in company with two other hunters,
+went on a fox hunting expedition. We had two dogs which had not been
+trained but would follow a trail pretty well. We had to travel over
+newly-made ice a distance of three miles to a small island about a
+mile long and quite narrow, on which were three small groves of fir
+trees which was the only cover for game, the surface of the island
+being chiefly meadow and marsh land. We landed on the eastern end of
+the island, and within a short time after the hunt began one of the
+party shot a fox, and in the afternoon the writer got a chance at a
+shot and succeeded in knocking over a very fine red fox. As night was
+now near we started for home, intending to return next day and renew
+the hunt, as we knew there was yet another fox on the island. Next
+day, however, was stormy, and we postponed the hunt till the
+following day, which being fine gave us a good chance for our work.
+
+  [Illustration: ALWAYS HUNGRY.]
+
+The same party of hunters and dogs renewed the chase early in the
+morning but the fox seemed to have learned a lesson from the previous
+hunt, and all day long he was chased from grove to grove by the dogs
+without giving a chance of a shot at him. As night was fast
+approaching we began to fear our hunt was going to be unsuccessful
+when we discovered that the fox had changed his tactics, and instead
+of taking shelter in the groves had run clear out to one end of the
+island, which was very narrow, and as we thought would take to the
+ice and thus get away from us. However, we followed after him, and
+you may imagine our surprise when the fox, instead of going on the
+ice, suddenly turned around and came directly toward us, and when
+about one hundred yards distant suddenly disappeared as if the earth
+had swallowed him up; one of the party who knew there was an old
+uncovered well there shouted out, "the fox is in the well!" We all
+hastened to the spot, and sure enough there was Mr. Fox in the well
+clinging to some sticks floating in the water about eight feet below
+the surface of the ground. As we had no rope or any facilities for
+getting reynard out of the well alive, we had to take a mean and
+unsportsmanlike advantage of our prisoner by putting a small charge
+of shot into his head and then fishing him out of the water with a
+forked stick. That the fox could never have gotten out of the well by
+his own exertions I do not believe, but that he went into it to
+escape from us is certain.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+STILL-HUNTING THE FOX.
+
+Many have requested me to give my method of still-hunting the red
+fox. As my hair is turning gray and the red foxes are about all gone
+here I will give an outline of my method, and will try and not weary
+the reader with a long account, thus writes G. O. Green, of Illinois.
+
+Winter is the best time for hunting the red fox, and I have been more
+successful in January and February than other months. There are
+always some localities where the red fox spends the day, curled up
+asleep, and it is generally in a hilly locality as far as he can get
+from the presence of man.
+
+The still hunter has only to go to these places on fair days and hunt
+as far as possible against the wind. If the wind is blowing some so
+much the better--it will help to deaden the sound of the hunter's
+tread. When you get into likely ground walk slow, and be sure you
+observe every object on the ground, both in front and in fact at
+least three sides. The average still hunter hunts too fast and don't
+use his eyes in the right direction--if he is a bird hunter he will
+be looking up in the trees too much.
+
+  [Illustration: BLACK FOX SKIN VALUED AT $1500.]
+
+A red fox is a small animal, and the hunter must keep his eyes always
+on the ground while hunting the old Red. If snow is on the ground and
+the hunter jumps a fox without getting a shot, the hunter, if he is a
+novice, will be pretty sure to go on the run after the fox when he
+comes to the place where the fox has just jumped. When you find the
+fox has been jumped sit right down and eat your lunch, and wait
+twenty minutes or a half hour. The fox will run perhaps 80 rods then
+get on a log or stump and watch his back track, and if he does not
+see any one following him he will not go far before he will look for
+another place to lie down.
+
+When you come to a place where the fox makes zigzag trail, stop and
+look very close in every direction for at least one hundred yards.
+The fox rarely makes a straight trail when he is going to lie down;
+in this he resembles the deer. The fox sleeps most soundly between 11
+o'clock and 2 o'clock in the daytime, and I have killed most of mine
+during that time. A fox jumped after 3 o'clock in the afternoon will
+hardly lie down again that day. A double-barrel shotgun loaded with
+No. 4 shot will stop any fox up to about 50 yards; above that
+distance coarser shot usually straddle the fox. When the day is cold
+and snow is crusty, stay at home, for you will get no fox but plenty
+of exercise.
+
+When a fox goes into the ground while you are trailing him, don't try
+to dig him out; it is hard work. On three occasions I have got his
+brush by going to the burrow about sundown and getting a good
+position near the burrow to wait for him to come out. I have never
+been disappointed in getting a shot about the time that you can see
+half a dozen stars twinkling. But it takes good eyes to see a fox in
+twilight.
+
+Now reader, these are not all the points of still hunting. It takes a
+peculiar cuss for a still hunter, and still hunters are born that
+way; all the education in the world will not make a still hunter.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+FOX RANCHES.
+
+It is estimated that at present nearly 50 of the Aleutian Islands
+have fox ranches, most of which are said to have been successfully
+managed. Thus far the Government has rented the islands for this
+purpose at $100 per year. Some years ago the revenue cutter Perry was
+sent to the Archipelago by the Treasury Department for the express
+purpose of ascertaining the location of the islands used for fox
+ranches. The Government's agents were not long in finding out that in
+several instances the fox raisers had appropriated islands for which
+they were paying no rental. These persons were brought up with a
+sharp turn and ordered to pay up or shut up shop.
+
+It seems quite clear that where proper business methods have been
+followed the ranches, without exception, have succeeded thus far, and
+will prove immensely valuable in the future. On some of the islands
+the work has been going on for 12 or 15 years, and three of them now
+have a fox population of more than 1,000 each. The first method was
+to begin operations by turning loose on an island several pairs of
+foxes. In some instances the animals have increased rapidly, with the
+result that in a year or so it had become apparent that $150 or $200
+paid for a pair of mated animals was likely to prove a good
+investment.
+
+  [Illustration: NORTHERN FOX TRAPPER'S DOG TEAM.]
+
+The original project was to breed the silver gray fox, as the fur of
+this animal is much more valuable than that of the commoner
+varieties. A good silver gray pelt is worth about $50 to the original
+seller, while $15 or thereabout is the price for the pelt of the blue
+fox. But the silver gray has many peculiarities which make its
+domestication exceedingly difficult, practically impossible, in fact.
+It is much given to devouring its young, and it has many of the
+characteristics of the wolf. At present only one of the islands is
+given up to the silver grays, and the animals do not increase
+rapidly.
+
+The blue fox, so called, is handled much more successfully. It is
+readily tamed, and if kindly treated soon becomes so domestic that it
+will take food from the keeper's hand. The food usually is fish,
+either cooked or raw, and a mixture of corn meal and tallow. Reynard
+gets these rations, and all he wants of them, for ten months in the
+year, the food being supplied steadily except during the two
+midsummer months. It is estimated that the average cost of the
+rations is $1.50 per fox per year. There are two or three keepers for
+each ranch who devote all their time the year around to their
+charges.
+
+From November 20 to January 20 is the open season for foxes on the
+islands, and box traps, rather than dead falls or steel traps, are
+used. This is done because all the female animals are released, after
+having been marked, and also one male for every six of the opposite
+sex. The average age for killing is about 18 months, although the
+pelt of an animal eight months old is fully developed, and, despite
+some theories to the contrary, the fur does not necessarily improve
+with age. On some of the larger farms, the box trap method of
+catching the foxes has been given up, as being too slow, for baiting
+the animals near a small corral.
+
+During the months preceding the killing time, the food for the foxes
+is placed near the site of this corral, in order to accustom the
+animals to coming to that locality, and also in order to tame them.
+Under this treatment the foxes lose their shyness and shrewdness to
+such an extent that they not only enter the corral freely, but the
+female or male which has once been released after having been
+examined and marked, frequently enters the corral again. It is
+reported that in some instances the same animal has been caught three
+or four times in the same night.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+STEEL TRAPS.
+
+In sections the larger game is gone yet there is in parts of the
+North, West and South much good trapping territory that will pay the
+hardy trappers for years to come. Even in the more thickly settled
+districts trapping can be made a good paying business. It seems that
+red fox, skunk and muskrat remain about as numerous in most sections
+as ever. In fact, the red fox in certain sections has only made its
+appearance of late years--since the country has become more thickly
+settled. Trappers in most sections can rest assured that they will
+have game to trap for years to come.
+
+In the rapid development of the country the steel trap has played a
+wonderful part. They have subdued the monster bear and have as well
+caught millions of the small fur bearing animals, adding largely to
+the annual income of the hardy trapper. Steel traps have been in use
+for more than fifty years, but for many years after they were
+invented they were so expensive that they were not generally used. Of
+late years they have become cheaper and their use has become general.
+In fact, the price is now so reasonable that the trapper, on his
+first expedition, has a supply. The professional trapper, who in the
+North, spends from seven to nine months in the woods has a supply of
+these traps, ranging from the smallest to the largest. His needs are
+such too that all of them are in use during the trapping season. A
+trapper can use from 50 to 250 traps.
+
+Traps are made in various sizes. The smallest No. 0 is used for
+gophers, rats, etc., while the largest, No. 6, is for the grizzly
+bear and will hold him. The No. 2 is known as the fox trap having two
+springs and spread of jaws of 4 7/8 inches. The No. 1 1/2 single
+spring is also much used by fox trappers. The No. 1 will also hold
+the fox, but we think best to use the No. 1 1/2 or No. 2.
+
+We are alluding to the Newhouse manufactured by the Oneida Community,
+Ltd., Oneida, N. Y., as it is acknowledged to be the best trap in the
+world.
+
+As most fox trappers devote more or less time to trapping other fur
+bearing animals, a description of the various Newhouse traps, telling
+the animal or animals each size is adapted to, etc., will no doubt be
+of Interest.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 0 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 3 1/2 inches. This, the smallest trap made, is used
+mostly for catching the gopher, a little animal which is very
+troublesome to western farmers, and also rats and other vermin. It
+has a sharp grip and will hold larger game, but should not be
+overtaxed.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 1 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 4 inches. This Trap is used for catching muskrats and
+other small animals, and sold in greater numbers than any other size.
+Its use is well understood by professional trappers and it is the
+most serviceable size for catching skunks, weasels, rats and such
+other animals as visit poultry houses and barns.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 81 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 4 inches. Occasionally animals free themselves from
+traps by gnawing their legs off just below the trap jaws, where the
+flesh is numb from pressure. Various forms of traps have been
+experimented with to obviate this difficulty. The Webbed Jaws shown
+above have proved very successful in this respect.
+
+Noting the cross-section of the jaws, as illustrated at the left, it
+is plain the animal can only gnaw off its leg at a point quite a
+distance below the meeting edges. The flesh above the point of
+amputation and below the jaws will swell and make it impossible to
+pull the leg stump out of the trap.
+
+The No. 81 Trap corresponds in size with the regular No. 1 Newhouse.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 91 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws--#91, 5 1/4 inches; #91 1/2, 6 1/4 inches. The double
+jaws take an easy and firm grip so high up on the muskrat that he can
+not twist out. A skunk cannot gnaw out either.
+
+These traps are especially good for Muskrat, Mink, Skunk and Raccoon.
+
+All parts of the No. 91 except the jaws are the same size as the
+regular No. 1 Newhouse, while the 91 1/2 corresponds to the regular
+No. 1 1/2.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 1 1/2 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 4 7/8 inches. This size is called the Mink Trap. It
+is, however, suitable for catching the Woodchuck, Skunk, etc.
+Professional trappers often use it for catching Foxes. It is very
+convenient in form and is strong and reliable.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 2 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 4 7/8 inches.  The No. 2 Trap is called the Fox Trap.
+Its spread of jaws is the same as the No. 1 1/2 but having two
+springs it is, of course, much stronger.
+
+ [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 3 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 5 1/2 inches. This, the Otter Trap, is very powerful.
+It will hold almost any game smaller than a bear.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 4 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 6 1/2 inches. This is the regular form of Beaver
+Trap. It is longer than the No. 3 Trap, and has one inch greater
+spread of jaws. It is a favorite with those who trap and hunt for a
+living in the Northwest and Canada. It is also extensively used for
+trapping the smaller Wolves and Coyotes in the western stock raising
+regions.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 2 1/2 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 6 1/2 inches. In some localities the Otter grows to
+an unusual size, with great proportionate strength, so that the
+manufacturers have been led to produce an especially large and strong
+pattern. All the parts are heavier than the No. 2 1/2, the spread of
+jaws greater and the spring stiffer.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 3 1/2 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 5 inches. The above cut represents a Single Spring
+Otter Trap. It is used more especially for catching Otter on their
+"slides." For this purpose a thin, raised plate of steel is adjusted
+to the pan so that when the trap is set the plate will be a trifle
+higher than the teeth on the jaws. The spring is very powerful, being
+the same as used on the No. 4 Newhouse Trap. The raised plate can be
+readily detached if desired, making the trap one of general utility.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 21 1/2 TRAP]
+
+Single Spring. Same as No. 2 1/2 but without Teeth or Raised Plate.
+
+No. 31 1/2 NEWHOUSE TRAP.
+
+Single Spring. Same as No. 3 1/2 but without Teeth or Raised Plate.
+
+Spread of Jaws--No. 21 1/2, 5 1/4 inches; No. 31 1/2, 6 1/2 inches.
+These Traps are the largest smooth jaw, single spring sizes that are
+made. Professional trappers will find these especially valuable when
+on a long trapping line, as they are more compact and easier to
+secrete than the large double spring traps. The springs are made
+extra heavy.
+
+Note.--The 21 1/2 is practically a single spring No. 3 and the 31 1/2
+a single spring No. 4.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 14 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 6 1/2 inches. This Trap is the same in size as the
+No. 4 Beaver, but has heavier and stiffer springs and offset jaws,
+which allow the springs to raise higher when the animal's leg is in
+the trap, and is furnished with teeth sufficiently close to prevent
+the animal from pulling its foot out.
+
+  [Illustration: CLUTCH DETACHABLE TRAP]
+
+Clutch Detachable--Trap can be used with or without it.
+
+PATENTED.
+
+Spread of Jaws, No. 23, 5 1/2 inches; No. 24, 6 1/4 inches. The
+inventor of this attachment claims to have had wonderful success with
+it in taking Beaver. The trap should be set with the clutch end
+farthest from shore. The beaver swims with his fore legs folded back
+against his body, and when he feels his breast touch the bank he puts
+them down. The position of the trap can be so calculated that he will
+put his fore legs in the trap, when the clutch will seize him across
+the body and hold him securely.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 4 1/2 TRAP]
+
+In response to a demand for a new model of the Newhouse Trap
+especially adapted to catching wolves, the manufacturers have
+perfected a trap which is numbered 4 1/2 and is called the "Newhouse
+Wolf Trap."
+
+This trap has eight inches spread of jaw, with other parts in
+proportion, and is provided with a pronged "drag," a heavy snap and
+an extra heavy steel swivel and chain, five feet long, warranted to
+hold 2,000 pounds. The trap complete with chain and "drag" weighs
+about nine pounds.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 50 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 9 inches. This trap is intended for catching small
+sized Bears. In design it is exactly like the standard No. 5 Bear
+Trap, only that the parts are all somewhat smaller. Weight, 11 1/4
+pounds each.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 150 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 9 inches. This trap is identical with No. 5 excepting
+that the jaws are offset, making a space five-eighths inch between
+them. This allows the springs to come up higher when the bear's foot
+is in the trap, and thus secure a better grip. Also there is less
+chance of breaking the bones of the foot. Weight, 11 1/4 pounds each.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 5 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 11 3/4 inches. This trap weighs nineteen pounds. It
+is used for taking the common Black Bear and is furnished with a very
+strong chain.
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 15 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 11 3/4 inches. To meet the views of certain hunters
+whose judgment is respected, the manufacturers designed a style of
+jaw for the No. 5 trap, making an offset of 3/4 of an inch, so as to
+allow the springs to come up higher when the bear's leg is in the
+trap. This gives the spring a better grip. Those wishing this style
+should specify "No. 15."
+
+  [Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 6 TRAP]
+
+Spread of Jaws, 16 inches. Weight, complete, 42 pounds. This is the
+strongest trap made. We have never heard of anything getting out of
+it when once caught. It is used to catch lions and tigers, as well as
+the great Grizzly Bears of the Rocky Mountains.
+
+  [Illustration: BEAR CHAIN CLEVIS AND BOLT]
+
+This cut illustrates Bear Chain Clevis and Bolt, intended as a
+substitute for the ring on the end of the trap chain, when desired.
+
+With this clevis a loop can be made around any small log or tree
+without the trouble of cutting to fit the ring. The chain is made
+five feet long, suitable for any clog, and the prices of bear traps
+fitted with it are the same as with the regular short chain and ring.
+
+  [Illustration: TRAP SETTING CLAMP]
+
+Every trapper knows how difficult it is to set a large trap alone in
+the woods, especially in cold weather, when the fingers are stiff,
+and the difficulty is greatly increased when one has to work in a
+boat. One of these clamps applied to each spring will, by a few turns
+of the thumb-screws, bend the springs to their places, so that the
+pan may be adjusted without difficulty. No. 4 Clamp can be used on
+any trap smaller than No. 4 1 /2. No. 5 and 6 are strong clamps,
+carefully made and especially adapted to setting the large traps Nos.
+4 1/2 to 6. They dispense with the inconvenient and dangerous use of
+levers. With them one can easily set these powerful traps. These
+clamps are also useful about camp for other purposes.
+
+
+END OF FOX TRAPPING
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Fox Trapping, by A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOX TRAPPING ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34076.txt or 34076.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/0/7/34076/
+
+Produced by Linda M. Everhart, Blairstown, Missouri
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.