*.. *^ v^^ ' ,* > STEEL TRAPS. *' ■>, iS t\ STEEL TRAPS. Describes the Various Makes and Tells How to Use Them — Also Chapters on Care of Pelts, Etc* BY A. R* HARDING. PUBLISHED BY A. R. HARDING PUBLISHING CO, COLUMBUS, OHIO L> i-^u ..C U8RARY of CONGRESS Two Coole? ftaceived eci 30 i*^^ Copvfifi^f Entry CLA?S^ XXc, Mo. COPY b. Copyright 1907 By A. R. Harding. CONTENTS. Chapter. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XL XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. Page. Sewell Newhouse 21 Well Made Traps 27 A Few Failures 33 Some European Traps .^. • 38 Proper Sizes • • • • ^^ Newhouse Traps '^^ Double and Webbed Jaw Traps 65 Victor and Hawley & Norton Traps 72 Jump Traps '^ Tree Traps 81 Stop Thief Traps 86 Widp- Spreading Jaws 90 Caring For Traps 98 Marking Traps 1^8 How to Fasten 112 How to Set 11" Where to Set 133 Looking at Traps 143 Mysteriously Sprung Traps 152 Good Dens 1^^ 7 8 CONTENTS. Chapter. Page;. XXI. The Proper Bait 170 XXII. Scent and Decoys 178 XXIII. Human Scent and Sign 191 XXIV. Hints on Fall Trapping 204 XXV. Land Trapping 211 XXVI. Water Trapping 245 XXVII. When to Trap 268 XXVIII. Some Deep Water Sets 273 XXIX. Skinning and Stretching 281 XXX. Handling and Grading 308 XXXI. From Animal to Market 317 XXXII. Miscellaneous Information 325 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Newhoiise Traps — All Sizes Frontispiece Mr. Sewell Newhouse 22 The First Shop 24 Old Newhouse Trap 26 A Well Made Trap 28 Limb Growing Thru Jaws 31 "Bob Tail" Trap 33 Defective Pan Bearing 34 The All Steel " 34 The Modified All Steel 35 Poor Setting Device 35 Double Jaw Without Dog 36 The Duplex 37 The "No Cross" 37 German Fox Trap 38 English Rabbit Trap 39 Awaiting The Trapper 42 Wisconsin Trapper, Furs and Traps 45 Mink, Trapped Under An Old Root 48 No. 0. Newhouse Trap 51 9 10 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. No. 1 Newhouse Trap 51 No. U or Mink Trap 52 No. 2 or Fox Trap 53 No. 3 or Otter Trap 54 No. 4 or Wolf Trap 55 No. 21 or Otter Trap With Teeth 55 No. 3 J or Extra Strong Otter Trap 56 No. 2U Without Teeth 57 Offset Jaw Beaver Trap 58 Detachable Clutch Trap 59 Newhouse Special Wolf Trap 59 Small Bear Trap 60 Small Bear Trap With Offset Jaws 61 Standard Bear Trap 61 Regular Bear Trap With Offset Jaws 62 Grizzly Bear Trap 62 Bear Trap Chain Clevis 63 Steel Trap Setting Clamp 64 No. 81 or Webbed Jaw Trap 67 No. 91 or Double Jaw Trap 68 A Morning Catch of Skunk 70 No. 1 Victor Trap 73 No. 4 Victor Trap 74 No. 1 Oneida Jump 77 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 11 Page. No. 4 Oneida Jump 77 A "Jump" Trap Trapper 79 The Tree Trap 82 Tree Trap Set and Animal Approaching 84 Animal Killed in Tree Trap 84 Stop Thief Trap 87 Method of Setting Stop Thief Trap 88 Trapper's Cabin and Pack Horses 91 Trapper Making Bear Set 95 Washing and Greasing Traps 99 Putting the Traps in Order 102 Traps and Trapper 104 Marked and Ready to Set 109 The Sliding Pole 113 A Staple Fastening 114 Shallow Water Set 11(3 Hole Set Before Covering 118 Another Hole Set Before Covering 120 Hole Set After Covering 122 Wrong Position Set 124 The Three Log Set 127 Marten Shelf Set , ' 128 Big Game Set 129 Ring or Loop Fastening 131 12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page, Caught Within the Limits of Chicago 134 Fox. Wolf or Coyote Trail 136 Fox, Wolf or Coyote on the Run 136 Muskrat Tracks 138 Mink and Opossum Tracks 139 Wisconsin Trapper — Knows Where to Set 141 Profitahle Day's Catch 144 Snowshoeing Over the Trapping Line 145 Once Over the Line — White Weasel 147 Caught Just Before a Cold Snap 149 Bait Stealer — Bird ' : 153 Northern Trapper With Pack Basket 15G Some Northern Furs 157 Nebraska Trapper's One Night Catch 161 Night's Catch by Colorado Trapper 163 Both Trappers — Father and Daughter 166 Part of Connecticut Trapper's Catch 171 Eastern Trapper's Catch 175 Caught Where Scent Is Much Used 179 Young Trappers Discussing Scent 182 Teaching The Boy Art Of Trapping 184 Trapper's Home In Colorado 188 A Few Days' Catch 192 The Inside Of Northern Trapper's Cabin 195 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 13 Page. Coyote Trapping on the Cattle Ranches 202 Eastern Mink — November Caught 205 Miiskrat House 207 Wolf Caught at "Bank Set" 214 Lynx Caught in Steel Trap 219 Marten Caught in Shelf Set 221 Shelf Set and Fastening 223 Squirrel Caught on Stump 225 Raccoon Caught in Oneida Jump 229 Red Fox Caught at Dry Land Set 232 Opossum Caught in No. 1 Newhouse 235 'Black Skunk in No. 1.] Victor 237 Baited and Caught at Cubby Set 239 There To Stay-In A Newhouse 242 Mountain Lion Securely Caught 243 Beaver, Trap and Trapper 247 Large Otter Caught in No. 3 Newhouse 251 Muskrat Caught in Double Jaw 255 A Morning's Catch Of Rats 260 The Black Water ?^Iarsh 266 Just After the Season Opens 270 Deep Water Set Trap Fastening 276 Skinning a Bob Cat 279 Single and Three Board Str.etcher 282 14 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Some Stretching Patterns 286 Dakota Trapper's Method 288 Holder For Skinning 289 Wire Coon Method 291 Wire and Twig Coon Method 293 Size of Stretching Boards 299 Pole Stretchers 304 Fleshing Board 318 'Stretching Frame 319 Skin on Stretcher 321 Hoop Stretcher 323 The Home Shanty 328 A Line Shanty 332 Cf. /t^, ^^^^9^ INTRODUCTION. :^fc O those that have fol- lowed the setting of Steel Traps there is a fascination or ''f e V e r' ' which conies over them every fall about the time of the first frosts. The only remedy seems to be a few weeks on the trap line. While some look upon trapping as an unprofitable business, yet the number is becoming rapidly less, for more and more people are yearly deriving pleasure, profit and health from out-door life such as trapping, hunting, etc. There are thousands of trappers scattered over America who are reaping a harvest of fur each year from their Steel Traps valued at hundreds of dollars in addition to the healthful sport they enjoy. In some parts of Canada and the 17 18 Introduction. Northwest a trapper in a year catches fur the value of which to- gether with the bounty brings him 11,000.00 to 12,000.00. It is said on pretty good authority that a trap- per in British Columbia a few years ago caught upwards of |6,000 worth of fur, principally marten, in one season. There are many thousands of trappers scattered from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean and from the Pacific to the Atlantic that make hundreds of dollars each year with Steel Traps. There is also a vast number who trap only a few weeks each season. This includes boys and farmers after the busy season. The actual number engaged in trapping is not known. Neither is the actual value of the raw fur catch, but it is thought to exceed 110,000,000 yearly. Is it any won- der then that so many want to know more about Steel Traps and Trapping? Considerable of the information herein in regard to traps, scent, de- Introduction. " 19 coy, etc., is gathered from old and experienced trappers from all parts of America as well as from the great trap manufacturers, Oneida Communit}^ Ltd., so that readers can rely upon the information im- parted in this book as being trust- worthy. Some books, purporting to be of value to hunters and trap- pers, are written by men who have never followed a line of traps or been in close touch with trapijers. The author of this work has been engaged for many years in trap- ping and collecting furs and has come into close contact with many of the leading trappers of the coun- try. Steel Traps are far superior to Snares or Deadfalls from the fact that they can be used for both land and water trapping while Snares and Deadfalls are adapted to Land Trapping only. A. K. Harding. CHAPTER I. SEWELL NEWHOUSE. E. SEWELL NEWHOUSE, the inventor of the Newliouse Trap grew up surrounded by the Ii*o- quois Indians of the Oneida Tribe; that tribe which alone of all the Red men cast in their lot with the Americans in our great struggle for liberty. At an early age he learned the gunsmith's trade. In those days guns were all made by hand, and in small shops. Mr. Newhouse soon became very skillful both in making and shoot- ing the rifle. At that time ''Turkey Shoots'- were very popular, and Mr. Newhouse was al- ways sure of his bird at sixty to eighty rods. It was a puzzle to many of the old hands how he managed to shoot so accurately, even when the wind was blowing "half a gale" till it was finally discovered that he had fitted his rifle with an adjustable wind sight. This was one of his early inventions that has now come into common use in target shooting. The Indians were very fond of shooting at a mark both with the rifle and the bow and ar- 21 22 Steel Traps. row, but they would seldom try conclusions with "Sewell" — as they all called him — for he could always out shoot them with the rifle, and very MR. SEWELL NEWIiOUSE. few of the tribe were as skillful as he with the bow and arrow. In wrestling too, a favorite game of the day, Mr. Newhouse was more than Sewell Newhouse. 23 a match for the best men of his time both white and red. Some time before the year 1840, Mr. New- house undertook the manufacture of traps and so popular had his traps become that in 1842 they were well known to all the tribes of the state, so that about this year, when a large part of the Oneidas moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin Territory, an essential part of this outtit was a stock of Newhouse's traps. Thus their fame spread to the West. It is related that a delegation of chiefs from one of the Algonquin tribes of the Great Lake region once called at Mr. Newhouse's Shop. They had used some traps from a rival manufac- turer but were much disgusted Avith them for in the intense cold of their country the springs would break. ^^As breaks the pipe of peace in war time." They looked over his stock of Traps, pressed down the springs with their moccasined feet, grunted and shook their heads in disap- proval. Then Sewell went out to the frozen creek nearby, the savages watching in silence. He chopped out a huge piece of ice, and bringing it to the shop broke it into pieces which he threw into a large tub of water, then setting half a dozen of the Traps he plunged them into the water, and in sight of the astonished and pleased Red Men he sprung them all off. 24 Steel Traps. This severe test was enough for the visitors, and at his own price Mr. Newhouse sold them his entire stoclv of traps. The affair greatly- pleased the neighboring Oneidas for well they knew when their ^'Sewell" made and tempered a trap spring by his secret and '^magical" pro- THE FIRST SHOP. cess it would stand up to its work under any and all circumstances. Early in the fifties Mr. Newhouse removed from his home at The Oneida Castle up the Val- ley to a spot now known as Kenwood. Here close by the bank of the rushing Oneida he es- tablished himself in a little smithey and began to make his famous traps on a larger scale. He Sewell Newhouse. 25 was soon after assisted by some of the mechanics of the Oneida Association — as the old Oneida Community was then called — of which Mr. New- house had become a member. In a few years it became evident from the increasing demand that the business must be enlarged and a small fac- tory was built for the purpose. Still the demand continued to increase as the Community began to send out an agent to solicit orders in the West. The great Hudson Bay Company sent in some large orders a custom by the way, which they have continued annually from that early time until the present day. More shops were erected, water power and special machinery were introduced but still the demand outgrew the supply, till finally the Com- munity was obliged to build on a much larger scale at the present site of its factory, where the waters of Sconondoa Creek furnished for a long time ample power for the business. Here Mr. Newhouse for many years after he ceased to work at the bench and forge, spent his time in perfecting the manufacture and in the general oversight and inspection of the work. With the eye of a lynx he was ever alert to see that no trap bearing his name went out of the factory except in perfect condition. Here be- fore he left this world for his long, long rest he carefullv educated and trained a number of men 26 Steel Traps. to continue the business with the same pains- taking spirit he had so long maintained. The Trap illustrated here is one of the earli- est made by S. Newhouse after the business was' established in the Oneida Community Shops about the year 1853. OLD NEWHOUSE TRAP. Every piece was hand forged from wrought iron or steel. It was roughly but strongly made and has endured for over half a century. This trap belonged to one of the pioneers of Wiscon- sin who had used it for many years. It is still i^ good working order, the spring being as lively as Qu the day Mr. Newhouse so carefully and skillfully forged and tempered it. CHAPTER II. WELL MADE TRAPS. MONG the first requisites and of the utmost importance to successful trapping is the l)ossession of an outfit of well made Steel Traps. That the young trappers may understand Avhat are the requisites of a good trap we will describe in detail one that has held its own in the estimation of the professional tra^ipers for sixty years, and then we will endeaA or to point out wherein the many so-called ^improvements,-' that have been put on the market, have uniformly failed of suc- cess. What the main spring is to a watch, a trap spring is to a trap, and unless the spring is made of a properly compounded steel and is of tlie right form and proportion and correctly tem- pered it will surely fail and make the Avliole trap worse than useless. Certain mixtures of pig iron are used in nmking spring steel and if these mixtures are varied from in any particular or if the steel has a surplus of carbon, or is deficient in that ele- 27 28 Steel Tuap«. ment, it will not take a proper temper and con- sequently is of no value. A proper manipulation in the rolling mill is also necessary, or the steel may be entirely ruined in rolling. A good spring when set should show a nearly uniform curve throughout. This indicates that it is properly tapered so as to bring a uniform strain on the steel. The lasting qualities of a A WELL MADE TRAP. spring are greatly dependent on the correctness of this point. The ^^bows'^ or holes in the spring must be of a pro])ortion to properly fit the jaws and have such a ''twist" as will allow them to lie flat when set, and the temper must be so moderated as not to be brittle or "high'', otherwise they may break if sprung without anything between the jaws. For it is well known that it is a much harder strain on any trap to be sprung thus than to snap on to the leg of an animal, Well Made Traps. 29 Another very important thing is to have the strength of the spring proportioned to the size of the trap, for an excessively stiff spring is more apt to break the leg bone of the animal and in- crease the liability of ^'legging" as the trappers call it, while a very weak spring may allow a vigorous animal to draw its foot out, especially if caught low down. And last but more important than anything else, the spring must have just the right temper, for a bad tempered trap spring is like a bad tem- pered wife, a worse than useless incumbrance. And do not let the tyro imagine that it is easy to temper a trap spring, for it requires a long experience and very expensive and carefully studied conditions and apparatus to produce anything like uniform results. Few persons realize the unusually trying conditions under which a trap spring has to do its work, and it is safe to say that no mechanical contrivance performs its functions with greater precision than a well made and tempered trap spring. A No. 1 spring weighs less than three ounces and will exert a force of between 70 and 80 lbs., and one of these has been knowm to remain un- der strain for over thirty years and then spring as promptly as though just set. The jaw of a trap should have a good wide 30 Steel Traps. bearing surface, otherwise it will be apt to break the animal's leg\bone, a calamity always to be avoided, especially in dry land trapping, for as before remarked "legging'' is thus likely to fol- low. Anything like a sharp cutting edge or a saw tooth is especially objectionable, for our ob- ject in catching an animal is to obtain its fur and not to amputate its limbs. As' a prevention of "legging" the Nos. 8i, 91, 91^ traps, described elsewhere, are especially designed. The ]3intle or end bearings of the jaws should fit loosely in the holes to allow for rusting and a little freez- ing, and there should also be a slight end play for the same reason. The weight and strength of a jaw should be sufficient to prevent it from being sprung or bent enough to throw it out of its bearing when it is. set or when sprung by the animal. Much diversity of opinion obtains regarding the proportionate sizei of the pan or treadle. Some trappers like a large pan similar to that used in the Jump trap, but it is safe to say that the greater majority, especially among the old and experienced trappers, prefer the smaller sizes, and for obvious reasons. When an animal steps on a small pan he is caught to stay, but with a large one he may be "nipped" or his foot may be thrown out altogether. At any rate his education has been immensely advanced and it Well Made Trap!^. 31 will take a trapper with a "long head" to get him into a trap next time. The pan should fit loosely in its bearing for as is well known, rusting increases the size of a piece of iron and as there are four surfaces to rust in a pan bearing, ample room must be left. This trap was made about 1875 '^^Hl^k. Surely and no part had ^^^^k a good given way from ^^^^^^^^ Newbouse. the t r e mendous ^ -^ ^i--— -i^ pressure. LIMB GROWING THRU JAWS. The dog or latch should be thick and narrow rather than wide, as presenting less surface for the animal to step on. It should be curved and pointed in such a way as to hold up the pan but so as to "go off" "easy'' or "hard'' in proportion to the size of the animal trapped for. This is a nice point for each trapper to decide for him- self and it is this susceptibility to adjustment 32 Steel Traps. by curving or straightening the dog that makes this old "trigger arrangement'' superior to any other that has been invented. Of course, the cross and bottom pieces must be made in propor- tion to the other parts of the trap and the ex- perienced trapper or inspector knows how to so bend them as to make them conform correctly therewith. The chain should be strong enough to hold any animal for which the trap is designed. It goes without saying that a good swivel is indispensable, as well as a reliable ring and wedge for fastening, and the "S" Hook some- times furnished will be found very convenient as a means for attaching the trap to a drag. CHAPTER III. A FEW FAILURES. E present herewith a few pho- tos taken from a collection of experimental traps and will endeavor to point out Avherein these failed to prove them- selves of practical value. This trap was sometimes called the ^'Bob TaiT' on account of its lack of a dog', and this feature was thought to be a valu- able one as there was nothing to throw the ani- "BOB TAIL" TRAP. maPs foot out, but it was found to bc^ deficient in that it was not sensitive enough and it lacked any adjustabilitv in its setting device. This model was put on the market and sold for some time and seemed to be a very good 3 33 34 Steel Traps. trap. It was discovered, hoAvever, that the bear- ing of the pan was too low doAvn for a delicate DEFECTIVE PAN BEARING. set and also sometimes caused trouble by freez- ing in mnd. This trap was at one time thought to l)e good and was tried bv many trappers. It was found, THE ALL STEEL. however, to be very faulty in many respects. The bearing of the pan lay flat in the mud and would freeze. The setting device lacked any kind of A Few Failures. 35 adjustability and might either go off so hard that nothing conld spring it or so easily that it would not stay set at all. The jaws which were made of thin sheet steel were not durable. In this trap the method of attaching the pan was changed and the jaAvs were rendered more THE MODIFIED ALL STEEL. durable, but as the holding edges were made much thinner they were more liable to cut the animal's legs and on the whole the trap was not improved. This trap was invented to do away with the POOR SETTING DEVICE. 36 Steel Tuaps. throwing out motion of the dog. It accomi3lished it^ however, at such a sacrifice of other valuable features as to render it a useless invention. Its pan like others mentioned was liable to freeze up and it also lacked in easy adjustability and sensi- tiveness. Few^ of them were sold as they did not meet the approval of trappers of experience. A Double Jaw Trap was made without a dog as shown by the setting device, although inge- DOUBLE JAW WITHOUT DOG. nious in construction, was not sensitive. The holding power of the double jaw was good, es- pecialy in a dry land set, as all know who have tried the Newhouse No. 91 or 91^. This trap was designed by a umn who thought it desirable to fasten the bait to the pan. Only a novice at trapping would think of doing such a thing as that, as drawing the animars atten- tion to the trap is sure to excite his suspicion and to catch him by the head is not desirable, even if possible. A common trap is quite certain A Few Failures. 37 to only nip him and slip off. The trap as will be seen could be used also like a common one, THE DUPLEX. but pi-esented a very awkward appearance. A few experienced trappers gave it a trial but none of them seemed to favor it. This style was never put on the marker. There have been invented quite a number of THE "NO CROSS' traps that have no cross piece but we do not know that anv of them have been sold. ftfi vary slightly another. The CHAPTER IV. SOME EUROPEAN TRAPS. German Foa- Trap. HE cut below represents a Ger- man Trap, as made at the pre- sent time, and there are several German makers of similar traps. They are mostly hand made and in style of construct ion from one sizes cover all the <1 liferent fnr- ger:man fox trap. bearing animals, but the traps are clumsily made and much more expensive than those of American JManufacture. 38 Some Eiuopean Traps. 39 It will be observed that the Pan is very large, in fact, it so nearly fills the s^^ace between the jaws, that there is quite a good chance that an animal would be thrown clear of the jaws when springing it. The setting devise has no delicacy of adjustment and the fulcrum of the pan is so low down it would be very likely to freeze solid in tlie mud. These traps are all provided w-itli many large sharp teeth, and if the animal is caught high up they nuiy do great injury to a valuable pelt. English Rabbit Trap. This remarkably clumsy looking concern is nuide in England and is used mostly in xVustrn- lia and New Zealand for catching rabbits, which have become such a pest in those far aAvay ''Is- lands of the Sea." ENGLISH RABBIT TR.\P. 40 Steel Traps. The Australian rabbit trappers are mostly of English descent and like their forefathers are very conservative in their ideas, so in spite of its many defects, they stick to the use of this antiquated machine. Notice the size of the pan almost filling the opening in the jaw, Avidtli of the dog both tend- ing to throw out the animal's foot. The sharp toothed jaws with thin cutting edges so apt to break the bone and help the rabbit to free itself, Note also the short half spring which the trappers say will not endure more than one or two years use and which is stationary and sets high up, thus making it hard to conceal. That there is need of something better than this to keep down these pests, amy be believed^ for it is stated that in spite of the fact that over two million dollars worth of their pelts and flesh are shipped to Europe annually, they are still on the increase. They have lately made their appearance in regions hitherto free from them. Owing to tlie enormous fecundity, they soon take nearly coui- plete possession of a place as it is calculated that one pair may increase to about two million in a couple of years. Until the trappers adopt some more efficient trap it is difficult to see how the^^ are to make much headway against this scourge of the land. CHAPTER V, PROPER SIZES. RAPPEKS have done iiiiicli, by pushing into the AA^ilderness after fur- bearing animals and game, to advance civi- lization. Had the slower pursuits of 1 o g g i n g, farming, etc., been depended upon the United. States and Canada today would not be nearly so far advanced as they are. Wliile in sections, the larger game is gone yet there is in parts of tlie North, West and South, much good trapping territory that will pay the hardy trapper for years to come. Even in the more thickly settled districts, trapping can be made a good paying business if the correct sizes are used and trap- pers pay attention to the proper season to trap. 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 as- sured that they will have game to trap for years to come. 41 42 Steel Traps. In the rapid development of the conntry steel traps have played a wonderful part. They have subdued the monster bear and have caught millions of the small fur-bearing animals, add- ing largely to the annual income of the trapper. i '4 M i!^V ■^fll ^ 1 PK ii ^^^v ^'■ .% 'wm ■* "'*■' .A m y. ■ ■ ■■■"■*'*^ ■ .; Ar AWAITING THE TRAPPEK Steel traps have been in use for more than one hundred years but for many years after invented they were so expensive that tliey were not gen- erally used. Of late years they have become cheaper, ow- ing to the increased facilities of those great trap Proper Sizes. 43 mannfiu-tureivs, the Oneida Communitv, who are always lookini>' to trappers' interest by add- ing neAv and improved metliods of mannfaetnre as well as new traps to the extensive line already manufactured so that now their use has become general; in fact, the price is uoav so reasonable that the trapper, on his first expedition, can have a full supply. The professional trapper, who in the North, spends from seven to nine months in the woods has a supply of these traps, rang- ing 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. Trappers, as a rule, know what game th(\v are going to trap and consequently the number of each kind or size required. If he is after bear, otter or beaver, etc., he can not use and tend as many as if he were trapping smaller game, such as skunk, mink, opossum, raccoon and muskrat. Traps are made in various sizes. The small- est. No. 0, is used for catching rats principally, Avhile the largest. No. 6, is for the grizzly bear. Other sizes and the game to which they are adapted are :No. 1, known as the muskrat trap, but will hold mink, skunk, marten, etc. The jaws spread 4 inches. No. 81, size of No. 1 with web jaws for muskrat, mink and skunk. No, 44 ^TEEL Traps. 91, size No. 1 with double jaws for iiiuskrat and skunk. No. 1^ mink rat, but will hold stronger game. The jaws spread 4 J inches. No. 91^, size of No. li with double jaws for mink and skunk. No. 2 fox trap, also used for coon. No. 2J otter with teeth ; No. 24| same as No. 2^ Avith- out teeth; No. 3 for otter and coyote; No. 3^ extra large single spring otter with teeth ; No. 31^ same as No. 3 J without teeth ; No. 23 otter with clutch; No. 4 wolf and beaver; No. 14 beavers with offset jaw and teeth ; No. 24 beaves with clutch; No. 4^ timber wolves and moun- tain lion ; No. 50 small bear ; No. 150 small bear with offset jaw; No. 5 black bear; No. 6 grizzly bear. These are the well known Newhouse brand being by far the best trap made. This brand is put out in twenty-five different sizes. The weight per dozen of Newhouse traps given below will give a better idea of the rela- tive sizes of these traps : No. weighs 6^ pounds; No. 1, 9i pounds; No. 1^, 13 pounds; No. 2, 17 pounds ; No. 3, 23 pounds ; No. 4, 33 pounds ; No. 21, 23f pounds; No. 4^, 98 pounds; No. 50, 132 pounds; No. 5, 135 pounds; No. 6, 504 pounds. A single trap of the No. 6 weighs 42 pounds and it can be readily seen that they are very strong. The Newhouse is the strongest trap made and in fact the best for all fur-bearino- animals. 45 46 Steel Traps. A No. 1 Newhouse is equal in holding power to a No. 1^ of other brands. The following letters, from trappers of ex- perience will be found of interest as bearing on the subject of proper sizes : ^'In buying your traps, do not get too large a trap for the animal you wish to catch. I kuoAV an old trapper tluit lias trapi)ed for forty years and all he uses for muskrat is a No. Newhouse trap." ^'A rat does not gnaw the foot off as many trappers will tell you, but the forefoot is very tender and as a rat always struggles very hard when caught, it does not take very long to twist the foot off if the trap is not set so the rnt will drown. Different trappers have different ways of fastening the traps v.lien trapping for rats.'' ''I use a No. 1 Newhouse trap for mink and a No. li- for skunk. I notice that the Newhouse people have a new trap called the '^Webbed Jaw Trap". I think this an excellent trap to use in very cold weather." "Yes, these otter traps are quite heavy, No. 3^ Newhouse, but are sure to hold," writes a NcAV England trapper Avho is being accompanied by a young trapper. "You asked me what the raise plate was for; it is for the otter to hit as he passes over, as you see he is very short legged. Proper Sizes. 47 and the plate sets liioher than the teeth on jaws of trap, and it Avill answer other purposes, as you Avill see when you set them. These otter and bear traps are allrio'ht and tlie animal that steps on the pan will stay or leave a foot. We have 9 otter and 4 bear traps. Let us look at fox trai)s. We have 25 ''jumpers'', No. 2-i ; these are rii^ht for dry sets. Here are 25 No. 3 New- liouse for water sets. No. 2 Newhouse is just right for coon and fisher.^' Trappers in stating the size traps that they use for a certain animal show quite a difference. Some use a No. 1 Newhouse for coon while others use the No. 2 and as this is a double spring, the holding power is fully three times as much as the No. 1. In the Northern states where the coon grows much larger than in the South and Southwest, the No. 2 Newhouse is the trap. In tlie South the No. 1^ Newhouse is a good mink trap as is also the No. 1^ Victor and No. 2 Oneida Jump. The proper size trap to use for a certain ani- mal, varies under different conditions. If the trapper is reasonably certain that no other spe- cies of animal than the one trapped for frequents the place then the best size for the animal be- ing set for is the trap to use. On the other hand, sliould the trapper have out some traps for skunk, which need not be 48 Steel Traps. larger than No. 1 of tlie best or Newliouse va- riety, and any of the dens are visited bj fox a larger trap should be used. If trapping for rats and you come to "rat signs" and also where MIXK, TRAPPED UNDER AN OLD ROOT. there are coon and mink signs, a trap large enough to hold eillier should be set. If blind or trail sets are made, it is well to have the trap sufficiently strong for the largest l*ii()LM:ii SizKs. 49 animal using it. Often different animals nse the same trail or path leading from one den to an- other or to a log across a stream, etc. Elsewhere a complete description of the var- ious makes and sizes of traps to use is given and also full instructions about setting, fastening, etc. This embraces the view of the manufac- ture, the trapper and of the author who has had years of experience and should be of great value to inexperienced users of Steel Traps. CHAPTEK VI. NEWHOUSB TRAPS. or about 1823 the first Newhouse traps were made. At that early date only a feAv of the smaller sizes Avere manufactured but these have been added to until now the famous Newhouse trax) is manufactured in twenty-five different sizes. The smallest, No. 0, for rats and the largest. No. 6, for ^rizzly bear. These with the various intermediate sizes are adapted to catching all varieties of the fur-bearing and game animals of the world. In fact, it is said that the No. G Avill hold any living animal ex- cepting the elephant. Under this heading the various makes of this trap are described; excepting tlie Double and Webbed JaAv, which are described in another chapter. Considerable of the description as given here is from the trap catalog of the Oneida Commu- nity, Oneida, N. Y., manufacturers of the New- house trap. For we b(^lieve that inasmuch as they have for more than half a century manu- factured traps (during which time they have kept up a large correspondence with trappers 50 Newhoi'si: Tkai'is. 51 in all parts of North America) much Aveiglit .should be i^iveii their views. This, tlu' No. 0, is the suuillest size made. Spread of Jaws, 3^ inches. It is used largely NO. 0, XEWHOUSE TRAP. for catching gophers and house rats. It has a sharp grip and will hold larger game, but should not be overtaxed. • This, the No. 1, has a spread of jaws of 4 inches. This trap is used for catching musk- rat and other small aninuils and sold in greater NO. 1, NEWHOUSE TRAP. 52 Steel Tuai's. 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. This trap is one that can be used to good advantage for other small fur-bearing animals. Trappers use large numbers of this size for muskrat, mink, opossum, civet and marten. Fox, coon, lynx and wild cat are often caught in this trap but we do not advise its use for these large animals. This trap. No. H, has a spread of jaAvs of 4f inches. This size is called the "Mink Trap'' NO. n, OR MINK TRAP. but it is, however, suitable for catching wood- chucks, skunks, coon, etc. Professional trap- Newhoi^se Traps. 53 pers often use it for cateliinp: foxes. It is very couvenient in form and is stronj>- and reliable. In some states Avhere skunks £»row very lari>e, such as in parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas, as well as otlier Northwestern sections this trap is much used. One advantage in using a trap of this size for mink is that they are caught high up and if by one of the front legs they are pretty sure to be dead before the arrival of the trapper. If used for mink at a water set, the animal gen- erally soon drowns. This trap, the No. 2, has a spread of jaAvs of 4J inches, being the same as No. IJ, but hav- NO. 2, OR 1 OX TRAP. ing two springs, it is, of course, much stronger. This size is commonly known as the "Fox Trap.'' This trap is often used for taking badger, fisher and CO vote. 54 Steel Traps. Trappers sometimes remove one spring and nse it for large coon, woodcluick and even for fox as some think with two springs the trap is too strong. This, the No. 3, has a spread of jaws of 5^ inches. It is designated as the ^'Otter Trap." NO. 3. OR OTTER TRAP. It is a very powerfnl trap and Avill hohl almost any game smaller than a bear. This trap is used for taking beaver and also to some extent for small wolves and coyotes. This, the No. 4, has a spread of jaws of 6^ inches. This is the regular form of Wolf Trap. It is longer than the No. 3 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 extensively used Nkwiioi^se Traps. r^^ for trappini»- the wolves and coyotes in the west- ern stock raising regions. NO. 4, OR WOLF TRAP. This, the No. 2i, has a spread of jaws of 6^ inches. This is a single spring trap as shown. In some localities the otter grows to an unusual size, with great proportional NO. 2h, OR OTTER TRAP WITH TEETH. 66 Steei. Traps. strength, so that the mannfacturers have been led to prodiiee an es|)(M-ially large and strong pattern. The parts are heavier tlian the No. 3, the spread of jaAvs is greater and the spring stiffer. The jaws are equipped with teeth to keep the otter from getting free when once caught. The pan is also furnished with a raised plate which can be taken off if desired. This, the No. 3^, has a spread of jaws of 5 inches. This trap is for otter, but is used more especially for catching them on their NO. 3J, OR EXTRA STRONG' OTTER TRAP. "slides." For this purpose a thin raised plate of steel is adjusted to the pan so that when the trap is set the plate Avill be a trifle higher than the teeth on the jaAvs. The spring is very powerful, being the same as used on the No. 4 Newhouse Trap. If desired, the raised plate can be detached, making the trap one of gen- eral utility. Newhouse Traps. 57 Single Sprini* No. 21^ lias a spvc^ad of jaws of 5} inclies. This trap is tlic same as No. 2-^ NO. 21i, WITHOUT TEETH. but is without teetli or Kaised Phite as some trappers prefer it in this style. No. 31^ Newhouse Trap is also a single spring being same as No. 3^ but without Teeth or Raised Plate. Spread of jaws 6^ inches. These traps, Nos. 21J and 31^, are the largest smooth jaw, single spring sizes that are made. Professional trappers will find them especially valuable when on a long trapping line, as they are more compact and easier to secrete than double spring traps. The springs on these traps are made extra heavy. The No. 21^ is practically a single spring No. 3 and the No. 31^ a single spring No. 4. 58 Steel Traps. These traps are used for such animals as otter, ])eaver, wolf, wolverine, fisher and have been known to catch and hold Mountain Lion. This trap is known as No. 14 and has a spread of jaws of 6^ inch.es. This trap is the same in size as No. 4 Wolf but has heavier and OFFSET JAW BEAVER TRAP. stiffer springs and offset jaws, which allow the springs to raise higher Avhen the animaFs leg is in the trap, and it is furnished with teeth sufficiently close to prevent the animal from pulling its foot out. The weight of this style is about 3^ pounds each. This trap is knoAvn as '^Detachable Clutch Trap." The trajD can be used Avith or Avithout it. It is made in tAvo sizes Nos. 23 and 24. No. 23 knoAvn as the "Otter Clutch" has a spread of jaAvs of 5^ inches; No. 24 knoAvn as the ''Beaver Clutch" has a spread of jaAvs of 6J inches. ^EWTiorsE Traps. 59 DETACHABLE CLUTCH TRAP. This trap is known as the No. 4^ or ^'New- house Special Wolf Trap." It was put on the market to meet the demands of trappers for NEWHOUSE SrECL\L WOLF TRAP. a new model of the Newhouse Trap especially designed for capturing the large timber wolves and mountain lions of the stock raising sec- tions of the West. 60 Steel Traps. This trap has a spread of jaAvs of 8 inches. It is substantially made thruout and is provided with a pronged ''drag," a heavy snap, an extra heavy steel swivel and a chain, five feet long, warranted to hold 2,000 pounds. This trap complete with chain and ''drag" weighs about 9 pounds. This trap is known as No. 50, spread of jaws 9 inches. It is intended for catching small sized bears. In design it is exactly like the stand- SMALL BEAR TRAP. ard No. 5 Bear Trap, only that the parts are all somewhat smaller. Weight, 11] pounds each. This trap is also used for catching Moun- tain Lion. This trap is known as No. 150, spread of jaws, 9 inches. It is similar to No. 50, ex- cepting that the jaws are oifset, making a space five-eights 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. The chance of breaking the bones in the foot are also lessened. Weight, 11^ pounds each. NeWHUUSE TliAPS. 63 tlie^^ have never heard of auythiuiij oettiui;- out of it when ouce eaus>ht. It is often called the <'Great Bear Tamer." This trap is also used in Asia and Africa for catchino- lions and tigers. In fact the trap Avill hold anv animal Avith the exception of the elephant and it will hold even that animal ex- cepting possibly the larger ones. This cut illustrates Bear Trap Chain Clevis and Bolt, intended as a substitute for the ring on the end of the trap chain, Avhen desired. BEAR TRAP CHAIN CLEVIS. 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. 64 Steel Traps. There is danger attaclied to setting the hirge traps when alone in addition to its being rather difficult, especially in cold weather, when the fingers are stiff. Should the trapper be in a boat the setting is still more difficult. A clamp (as shown) applied to each spring will, by a few turns of the thumb-screws, bend the springs to their places, so that the pan may STEEL TRAP SETTING CLAMP. be adjusted without difficulty. No. 4 clamp can be used on any trap smaller than No. 4|. No. 5 and 6 are strong clamps, carefully made and especially adapted to setting the large traps Nos. 41, 50, 150, 5, 15 and 6. They do aAvay Avith the incom^enience and dangerous use of levers. With clamps a trapper can easily and safely set these poAA^erful traps. These clamps also come handy about the camp for other purposes. CHAPTER VII. DOUBLE AND WEB JAW TRAPS. O trapper should go into the woods without providing himself with an outfit of traps to meet any of the varying emergencies that are likely arise. For instance, along a deej) stream it is generally easy to arrange a common trap so that by drowning the animal it will answer every purpose, but in a very small or shallow stream this is sometimes a difficult thing to accomplish. In such a case if the trapper has provided himself with a Webbed or Double Jawed Trap his chances of finding the game awaiting him on his return will be greatly in- creased. For a dry land set, especially on skunk, the Double Jaw will be found very effective. The fact that it catches very high up and also en- tirely prevents self -amputation is greatly in its favor. For foxes, which are often taken by the dry land method, the Double Jawed of a size corre- sponding to the regular No. 1^ is getting to be a very popular trap. 5 65 66 Steel Traps. So, as we said before, each trapper, tho re- Ijing mainly on the old and well tried lines, should provide himself with a few of these odd styles and thus add greatly to his versatility of resources, that he may compete successfully with the ever increasing cunning of the many four- footed fur bearers of stream and forest. Trappers for years have contended that cer- tain animals would gnaw out of traps, especially where the bone was broken by the jaws and the flesh had become numb from the pressure or from cold. It is known that skunks especially will gnaw at that portion of the foot or leg below jaws of trap. Where trappers have a long line of traps and cannot visit them every day they thus lose a number of animals. The Webbed and Double Jaw prevent the gnawing out from the fact that the animal can only gnaw to the lower jaw or Aveb and is not able to get at the flesh between the jaws or un- der the web. Another animal that these traps are especi- ally adapted for is the muskrat. This animal-s legs especially the front ones, are very tender (both bone and flesh). A trap that breaks the bone, (unless the animal is soon drowned) may escape by the flesh of the leg twisting off in its 1)0UP»LE AND V^EB JaW TllAPS. 67 endeavors to get free. Muskrats do not gna^v off their feet as some suppose. This, the Webbed Jaw, known as No. 81 has spread of Jaws of four inches. This is one of the OR WEBBED JAW TRAP. Newhouse makes and corresponds in size to the regular No. 1. Newhouse. If trappers will observe the cross section of the jaws, as illustrated at the left, it is plain the animal can only guaAv off its leg at a point quite a distance below the meeting edges of the jaws. The flesh above the jaws as Avell as below will swell making it impossible for the animal to pull the leg stump out of the trap. 68 Steel Tkaps. This, the Double Jaw, is mannfactured in two sizes; namely, 91 with spread of jaws of 5] inches; No. 91^ with spread of jaws of 6| NO. 91, OR DOUBLE JAW TRAP. inches. The No. 91 correspondent in size to the regular No. 1 Newhouse, while the No. 91^ cor- responds to the regular No. 1^ Newhouse with the exception of the jaws. The Double JaAv traps are so constructed that they catch the animal high up on the leg. It is no uncommon occurrence for the trapper to find mink and other small animals dead when caught in this trap by the fore foot. It is supposed that the circulation of blood thus retarded stops the action of the heart. Double and ^ym^ Jaw Traps. 69 These traps are set the same as other steel traps, and directions given elsewhere apply to these as well. While the Webbed and Double Jaw traps were little known prior to 1905, trappers have been quick to see the advantage derived from using them. The Double Jaw has taken even better than the Webbed Jaw. The manufacturers had expected skunk trap- pers largely to be the buyers and this would in- clude roughly speaking the section east of the Rocky Mountains, south of Manitoba and Quebec and north of the States bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. But the demand sprung up from all parts of America. This shows that trappers are finding these traps good ones for other animals than skunks and muskrats for which the}^ were especially designed. The fact that trappers found out about these traps so quickly is due largely to that up-to-date trappers' magazine — Hunter-Trader-Trapper, published at Columbus, Ohio, and which reaches tyappers in all parts of America. The Oneida Community, Ltd., Oneida, N. Y., manufacturers of these traps were and are liberal users of ad- vertising space in the Hunter-Trader-Trapper to let trappers know of improvements in the trap line that are of value to them. 70 Steel Traps. ^^;&^4sl:^-^ Double and Web Jaw Traps. 71 If you have never tried any of the No. 81, which is the Webbed Jaw, or Nos. 91 or 91^, the Double Jaw, we feel sure that you are not famil- iar with traps that will increase your catch. We believe that all trappers should have at least a few of these traps. CHAPTER VIII. VICTOR AND HAWLEY »Vc NORTON TRAPS. N the Victor is a good trap consid- ering the cheap price at whicli it is sold and as the manufacturers say: "Is the most popular trap in the world.'' While professional trappers ur? ^' largely the Newhouse, yet in thickly settled sections and where trappers are con- stantly bothered by trap "lifters/' the Victor is much used. While the trap is sold at a very low price, yet it is the best trap manufactured in the regular or long spring trap, with the ex- ception of Newhouse, or H. & N. The Victor is manufactured in six sizes and each is adapted to the folloAving use : No. 0, rat or gopher; No. 1, muskrat; No. 1^, mink; No. 2, fox; No. 3, otter; No. 4, beaver. The Nos. 0, 1 and 1^ are single spring; Nos. 2, 3 and 4, double. The illustration showing No. 1 repre- sents also Nos. and 1^ as they are different only in size. The illustration showing No. 4 rej)- resents Nos. 2 and 3 also as they are different only in size. These traps are not so strong in any part as 72 Victor and Hawley & Norton Traps. 73 the Newliouse and trappers should bear this in mind when setting for the various animals. NO. 1, VICTOR TRAP. The No. 1| known as the mink trap is also a splendid muskrat trap, having greater si:)read of jaws than the No. 1 and being heavier than the No. 1 is just right to catch and drown rats. The Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are all double spring and made for fox, otter and beaver and while trap- pers catch large numbers of these animals in Victor traps, yet the more experienced ones prefer the Newliouse traps even at the advanced price. The Victor is used largely for taking the smaller fur bearers. It is sold in large quanti- ties in all parts of the United States and Can- ada. The Hawley & Norton is made only in six 74 Steel Traps. sizes: Nos. 0, 1 and 1^ single spring; Kos. 2, 3, and 4, double spring. NO. 4, VICTOR TRAP. A lighter grade of stock is used in manufac- turing these traps so that they can be made somewhat cheaper than the Newhouse and altho not as strong, they are a good reliable trap. CHAPTER IX. JUMP TRAPS. HILE the Jump Trap has been iu use in the Eastern part of the United States for upwards of fifty 3^ears, principally in the New England and Sea Coast States, the use of these traps in all parts of the coun- try did not become general until a few years ago. The trap derives its name ''Jump" from the fact that the spring is so arranged that when the trap is touched off or sprung by an animal or otherwise, it "Jumps'^, thus catching the animal high up on the leg. Trappers that have not used these traps express doubts of their "Jumx)- ing'' and catching high on the animaFs leg, but hundreds of letters received by the manu- facturers from trappers and also published in the Hunter-Trader-Trapper prove that they do ''Jump.'' The manufacturers claim these points in their favor. They are somewhat lighter than the regular form of double spring traps and the trap- per going far into the woods can carry a greater number; they set much flatter; can be set in 75 76 Steel Traps. smaller space ; springs are out of the way as no spring extends bej^ond the jaws; pans are large so that no animal can step between the jaws without springing the trap. The traps are set much the same as other steel traps. The B. & L. trap is manufactured in six sizes, viz; Nos. 0, 1 and 2, single spring; Nos. 2^, 3 and 4 double spring. Some years ago the Oneida Community, Ltd.' Oneida, N. Y., began manufacturing a "Jump'' trap which is known as the "Oneida Jump". This trap has a new style of jaws. The old stylo was made of thin steel whereas these have full, Avide-faced jaws, so that the chances of breaking the bone in the leg are lessened. This trap has a chain attachment, fastening at the end of the jaw opposite the spring, so that when the animal is caught and struggles to get free the foot is only gripped the tighter. The trapper, however, can fasten the chain on the end of the crossbar, opposite dog, as there is a hole drilled there for that purpose. The "Oneida Jump" is manufactured in nine sizes. This illustration shoAvs a No. 1. It is a single spring as are also No. and 2; the other sizes have double springs. These sizes, No. to No. 4, are adapted to catching the various animals with the exception Jump Traps. 77 NO. 1, ONEIDA TUMP. NO. 4, ONEIDA JUMP. 78 Steel Traps. of timber wolves and bears, altho the larger sizes are used for taking the coyote and small wolf. The sizes adapted for the various animals are : No. 0, rat and gopher ; No. 1, muskrat ; No. 2j mink; No. 2|, coon or skunk; No. 12^, same as 2|j with teeth; No. 3, fox or otter; No. 13, same as No. 3, with teeth; No. 4, otter or wild cat ; No. 14, same as No. 4, with teeth. The No. 2 is a splendid mink trap from the fact that it takes little room and can be set in many places where the end spring cannot be placed to advantage. The No. 2 for mink and the No. 2^ for coon are much used at log sets as they lie so flat that but little cutting is re- quired. The No. 2 is also coming into use as a marten trap especially for log and notched tree sets. The arrangement of the springs is such that the ends only extend about an inch beyond the jaws so that the double spring sizes even, do not take nearly as much room to set as the regular or end spring trap. It makes no difference what kind of a set is to be made — Avater, land or snow, the fact that this make of trap takes but little room and lies very flat, should not be lost sight of. This some- times is quite an advantage. The most successful trappers are those who use some of the various styles of traps for there Jump Traps. 79 A "JUMP" TRAP TRAPPER. 80 Steel Traps. are certain sets where each can be used to the best advantage. The ^'Jump Traps" are moderate priced and being light and strong for their size, trappers are taking to them, finding that for certain sets they have no equal No trapper should start out for the season without some "Jumps." CHAPTER X. TREE TRAPS. XPERIENCED trappers fully ap- preciate the importance of having a trap that when the animal is caught, it is caught to stay, and instantly killed instead of being held a captive by the foot or leg. Many fully realize the importance of a human trai> that will accomplish this, and have found many good points in the Tree Trap. Most practical trappers know that one of the most successful ways to set steel traps for many kinds of animals, is to suspend the bait about two feet over the trap, compelling the animal to step on the pan of the trap in order to get at it. This may be very good, but in case of a heavy snow fall, a set of this kind means that your trap is snowed under, and you not only experience great difficulty in locating your trap, but often are unable to do sO' at all until spring, or when the snoAv disappears. In order that readers may fully understand how the Tree Trap is used, two sketches are shown. One showing the trap set, with a mink approaching; the other one having caught Mr. Coon, and killed him instantly, not damaging the 6 81 82 Steel Traps. fur. This trap can be securely nailed to a tree, stump or stake, and should be at least two feet from the ground, though always in sight and THE TREE TRAP. easy to get to. In case of deep snow all you have to do is to bend the nails around, loosening the trap and renail it a few feet higher up. How to Set. If possible find a suitable tree over a den or close to a runway. Leave the trap set with the safety hook holding it (don't spring the trap un- less nailed securely), place against the tree, two or three feet from the ground ; mark the distance between the lower notches in the base of trap on the tree. Then drive two nails (six or eight- Tree Traps. 83 penny will do) leaving enough of the nail head so the two bottom notches will hook over the nail heads tightl^^, then drive the nails in the two upper notches as far as they will go. This will fasten the base of the trap tightly to the tree, which is important. Next bait the hook; seeing that the bait is secure; some tie it on with a string or thread. Now release the safety hook and your trap is ready. Some trappers prefer to throw some dead grass, leaves or bouglis on top of the trap, which help to conceal it, this is a good idea. A piece of a rabbit, squirrel, bird or chicken makes a splendid bait. Fish is good for mink. One great advantage of Tree Trap over many otlier traps is that when it catches the animal, it not only holds, but kills it. While traps should be looked after every other day in good trapping weather ; with the Tree Trap twice a week Avill do without the game escaping, as is often the case with common steel traps, but you cannot afford to take chances. Of course, in very warm weather, traps should be looked at more fre- quently. On the other hand, during very severe weather, the trapper need not make the rounds more than once a week. This is important to the trapper who has a long line of traps out. Trappers should by all means have some Tree 84 Steel Traps. Traps among their outfit, iu fact, as already men- tioned, the most successful trappers have a sup- ply of all kinds of traps. TREE TRAP SET AND ANIMAL APPROACHING. ANIMAL KILLED IN TREE TRAP. The Tree Trap does not weigh as much as a steel trap required to catch the same size ani- mals, and when set secured by safety hook, they are compact ; occupying very little space. These Tree Traps. 85 traps are made by the Animal Trap Co., Lititz, Pa., and are liiglily recommended for marten. Tree Traps are manufactured in four sizes adapted to catching the following animals : No. the smallest size, for weazel ; No. 1, for mink, marten, and civet; No. 2, for skunk and opos-, sum ; No. 3, for coon, fisher and wild cat. This trap can be used to splendid advantage during deep snows as it can easily be set against the side of a tree at any height the trapper de- sires, thus proving what has been said before, that the most successful trapper has some of all kinds of traps. The greatest field for the Tree Trap is the North, yet trappers in the Central and Southern States are already using them to a considerable extent for coon and opossum; also for skunk and mink. CHAPTER XI. STOP THIEF. TOP THIEF TRAPS are manu- factured by the Animal Trap Co. A great deal has been said for and against this trap, but like all traps, one must know how to use them. Trappers that have taken the trouble to learn how to set them re- port good results. A great many tliat were quick to condemn them at first now praise them highly. The manufacturers say the No. 1 is for squir- rels; No. 2, for mink and marten; No. 3, for skunk and opossum ; No. 3^ for fox and raccoon ; No. 4, for wolves. But we think the larger sizes should be used for mink and skunk. In trapping for mink, fish, bird or muskrat is the best bait but a hungry mink will eat al- most any kind of fresh meat. When convenient, scatter dry grass or leaves over the trap but do not cover the hole. If no hole is found, make one or two in earth or suoav. Fasten the trap with a chain or piece of wire to a stake or drag of some kind, when near the S6 Stop Thief. 87 water. No fastening is needed if there is no Avater near. Find where the raccoon, skunk, civet cat, oppossum, etc., frequent and set the trap in the same way as for mink. Bait with STOP THIEF TRAP. bird, chicken and the like. Oil the working parts of trap to prevent rust. The Stop Thief Trap is thought very highly of by some trappers for use in a peculiar situa- tion and like the New Tree Trap, tho not as yet well known, it is likely to prove a very effective machine in the hands of men who know how to use it. I procure a crotched stick, writes a Pennsyl- vania trapper, the prongs of which are about IJ to 1 J inches in diameter and of sufficient spread to fit the trap with which they are to be used. I send a drawing which will make it plainer than a page of description. The best way of set- 88 Steel Traps. ting a trap thus equipped will readily suggest itself according to the place selected. METHOD OF SETTING STOP THIEF TRAP. When setting at a hole which the animal is known to be in, the wood part or crotch may be placed next the hole or ground and there will not be much of the iron of the trap exposed to the a;nimal as it comes out. Or, if setting where the •animal is expected to come and enter the hole, the trap would be best placed with the wood out. With the latter set one would have to be careful to place the trap so that nothing would interfere ^with the ^working. Traps thus rigged Avill, of course, weigh more than the bare trap and are more bulk}^ and cum- bersome, but where one is trapping in a timbered , country the crotch need not be cut until upon Stop Thief. 89 the ground where it is to be used, or if in a sec*- tion where timber is scarce, could be placed be- forehand where it is to be used, just as one would do with stakes, rocks, drags, or clogs, spring poles and the like, when setting steel jaAV traps. Dry timber could be used instead of green whicli would lighten materially. HowcA^er, I prefer the heavier, as I think it holds the trap more firmly in place, thus requiring less fastening. Small wire is best to fasten the trap to the crotch as mice and squirrels will cut twine. While I feel that the Stop Thief will never begin to equal any steel jaw trap, I think there are times when it may be used to advantage, and I expect to try mine again the coming season and expect to do better with them than last sea- son. CHAPTER XII. WIDE SPREADING JAWS. OCASIONALLY I see in H-T-T, trapijers advocating a large spreading trap, writes an ex- l)erienced Canadian trapper, and some even go so far as to invite the trap manufacturers to make still wider ones than are now on the market. My experience in trapping, Avhich was varied and extended over a number of years, is that it's a mistake to have a trap that catches the animals too high up. The best and most enduring hold a trap can have on an animal is the paw or just above where it joins the bottom of the leg. I have found this with beaver, foxes, marten, lynx, bear, and in fact all animals I haA'e caught. Just above and the paw itself is a mass of sinews and mus- cle enveloped with a stronger skin than any part of the leg, and therefore must give more resist- ance. I have found a fox that was caught in a No. 2 Newhouse after three nights' struggle as secure as if newly seized. The jaws having closed securely across the thick part of the fore- paw. 90 Wide Speeading Jaws. 91 92 Steel Traps. Again from a shortness of a proper sized trap I once set a No. 4, for a fox. The fox was caught between midnight and daylight, and when I vis- ited the trap at the latter limit (six o'clock), it was high time, for another half hour of strug- gling and the fox would have been clear and away. The jaws had caught him half way up the foreleg and snapped the bone like a pipe shank. With his twisting and leaiung there only re- mained a strip of skin and one tendon that kept him prisoner. For mink I have found a No. trap, if care- fully set with proper precaution, is as good and lucky as a No. 1 or 1^ trap, as some trappers advocate. I used a bunch on a considerable sized lake last fall. The lake had numerous small creeks and rivers falling into it. At the junc- tion of these with the lake I set uiy traps. They were all No. selected on account of their liglitness. As there was a long carry to get to the lake from a traveled route and added to the canoe, my gun, blanket and provisions, the traps were somewhat of a consideration, and I there- fore took the one of less weight. I made tAvo visits to the lake before it froze and got twenty mink, one marten and a female fisher. When I made a water set I saw that the bank outside went down pretty bold and I always tied a stone to the trap and thus insured the animal Wide Spreadixc; Jaws. _ 93 drowning. Where I set on land without fail I attached the chain to a tossing- pole, thereby pre- venting the fur being damaged by mice or the animal being eaten by some other. Some may question the jDossibility of such small traps being for any length of time in order as a water set, but I must explain. The lake Avas of considerable size and the season the latter part of October. Such a. lake at that season of the year is not sub- ject to any fluctuations in the height of water. I may say in conclusion about this particular sized trap that on that trapping tour I only lost one mink, I found the trap sprung with a single toe in the jaws. The trap had been a dry set one, and by reading the signs I found some snow luid melted and dripped from an overhanging branch on to the junctions of the jaws. This had frozen (the trap being in the snade) and prevented its usual activity. As a consequence It only caught on as the mink was in the act of lifting his foot, so I was satisfied it was the cir- cumstances and not the fault of the trap that caused the missing of this mink. Another undesirable point about any trap is to have the springs too powerful for its intended use. One only wants a trap's jaws to close up sudden enough and to hold what it catches se- cure against any possibility of the animal Avith- drawing its foot. Once vou have this it's all 94 Steel Traps. that's required or necessary. A trap with springs with a strength out of reason is awk- ward and vexatious to open, and Avhen the ani- mal is caught goes on with its continued pressure until the jaws of their own action almost sever the paw or leg, and the animal with very little struggling finishing the amputation. I knew an Indian once who had a bear trap which was not much larger in spread than a No. 4 trap. An ordinary man by placing a foot on each spring could set it, and yet that traj) was his most reliable one. He had others too, but he took his "Davy" on that. It acted like that celebrated motto, "What we have, we hold.'- This trap was made from his own directions, and he had the jaws at their inner edge three- quarters of an inch thick and bevelled off to a quarter of an inch at the outer sides. As he aptly put it^ "I want the trap to hold the bear until I go there and shoot it, not to chop off its foot.'' Another point about a bear trap that I con- sider could be remedied with advantage to the trapper, is to have the ordinary chains length- ened by a few links. It is not always possible to place the drag stick close up to the open trap, but where the chain is longer no difficulty would be found. A few more links would add very little to the weight or cost. Wide Spreading Jaws. 95 96 Steel Traps. To a lone trapper setting bear traps miles away from any human beings, it's a tricky and dangerous job. I consider a man so situated should, as a precaution, carry one of those patent clamps for depressing the springs, in his pocket. I am aware some do not use them, as they con- sider tliem too slow, preferring a couple of short levers jammed under a root and pressed down with the knees while the hands open the jaws and place the trigger. Others use a piece of stout cord to tie down one spring, while with their weight on the other the jaws fall apart. But accidents will happen to the most care- ful persons ; by some inadvertance he might get caught by the hand or thouglitlessly step into it, and if he did not perisli wouhl have considerable difficulty in getting out, while with a cool head and a clamp within reach he could promptly free himself. I knew one man who lost his life in a bear trap and another who had almost suc- cumbed to his suffering when found and released. There are three things with a trapper's life that I was always extremely polite and careful with — a bark canoe, a bear trap, and a gun. I handled these for forty years but never fooled with them. Had the Indian mentioned used the cele- brated Newhouse traps, we feel sure that he would have found no cause to complain. While AViDE tSi'KicADixG Jaws. 97 to some trappers the springs may sometimes ap- pear to be too stiff, yet the face of the jaws are Avide and as the manufacturers are always in correspondence with bear and other trappers, there is no question l)ut tliat they know and are now manufacturing what meets the views of the majority of trappers. We believe that of some sizes they are making the face of the jaws even wider than formerly. The Newhouse bear traps are furnished with bear chain, clevis and bolt, illustrated and de- scribed under Newhouse Traps, but briefly de- scribed here. This chain is five feet long and with clevis can be fastened around any log which the trapper will want to use. One thing must be born in mind, viz : That when traps are set, they are covered, and should severe weather follow, freezing this covering, it requires a stiff spring to throw the jaws to- gether quickly. Our belief is that more large animals escape from traps too weak than from the too strong ones. Yet there are times, no doubt, when had the spring been weaker and the face of the jaws wider, the results would have been fully as satisfactory. CHAPTER XIII. CARING FOR TRAPS. OTE that traps should be examined carefully just be- fore being set to see if they, will work properly. New traps should be thoroughly greased with almost any kind of grease that has no salt in it. Salt will rust traps. It is to guard against rust as much as anything else that jon should grease your traps, for in that condition they are not so apt to give good service. If you have a supply of traps that are badly^ rusted, kerosene poured over them and let stand for a few hours will tend to remove the rust. After 3^ou have cleaned all of the rust off possi- ble, grease the trap carefully and thoroughly with some good fresh grease, such as lard or the fat of some animal. Good oil will answer if you can not get the animal fat. Trappers can usually get an animal or two and fry the fat from it. This is an easy task and with this grease your traps. If this is done with old traps at the close of the season it will help preserve Caking for Tuaps. 99 100 ^TEEL Traps. tliem. It is a good idea, also just before trap- ping begins. With new traps it is much more important tliat they be greased before setting as they will badly rust if not thus treated; old traps that have been greased a number of times can be neglected rather than the new ones. If possi- ble it is best to attend to this several days be- fore the traps are set, so that a part of the grease will be dried in, or evaporated so that in setting there will not be so much to get on your hands, clothes, etc. In this connection it will not be amiss to sa,y that traps should be carefully gone over before they are set, to see that every part is in working order. There may be broken links in the chain, or other defects. The swivel may be rusty and will not turn and the first animal caught is apt to break the chain. Many times- have trappers gone to their traps only to find a part of the chain remaining as some animal had broken it and escaped. All traps should be very carefully gone over and mended, otherwise you may not only loose the trap but a valuable pelt as Avell. What is best to apply to prevent their rust- ing? writes a number of trappers. Almost any oil Avill answer, but perhaps ani- mal fat is best and can be obtained by trappers Caring for Traps. 101 easily. Many trappers prefer to have their traps somewhat rusty, or at least want the new- ness worn off. It is not a bad idea to smear traps in the blood of rabbits or birds. IFo clean your traps, boil them in ashes and water, rinse clean in hot water, then dip in hot water with melted beeswax floating. Kaise them slowly out of this so as to coat every part. Hang up to drain and dry and your traps are ready. In what condition are your traps for begin- ning a vigorous campaign ; have you boiled them in soft maple bark or the husks of walnuts, to stain and eliminate the coating of rust, so that they will work well and be free of the ^