The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-04-25
TRAPPING THE OTTER.
HOW A MARYLANDER GETS THE
VALUABLE PELTS.
A Typical Eastern shoreman scorns
Methods Employed by Modern Hun
ters OF the Otter, and Makes
q Good Living.


Bay on the eastern shore OF Maryland
offers abound in great numbers, and
the trapping of these valuable animals
furnishes employment and SUBSISTENCE
to large number Of persons. The fur,
as Is generally known, is used extens-
lively in the ornamentation OF ladies'
wearing apparel, and the pelts as a
consequence command high prices. 1t
requires as much skill and tact in trap
ping the animal as it does in preparing
and preserving the pelt or hide for
shipment to the furriers. One OF the
most notable and experienced trappers
in that section is William Anderson,
who lives hermit-like in a unique look
ing cabin on the banks of the Wicomico
river in Somerset county, near where
it empties into the Nanticoke.
This cabin Is built of rough-sawed
board slabs with the proverbial mud
chimney. The interior is a veritable
museum of chronological and ornitho-
logical wonders, and is well worth a
study by the votaries Of natural sci
ence.
Mr.. Anderson is unable to read or
write, yet he can accurately rehearse
the history and habit of every insect
and bird in his collection, and can add
column of figures with a rapidity
equal to the most expert accountant.
1t Is said that he has amassed quite n
snug little income by hunting the
muskrat and otter.
II never seed" said he, one day last
winter knocking the ashes from his
pipe and replacing it in his mouth, ga
better winter for offers; they're thick
everywhere, but kin tell you, il them
what don't know how to ketch 'em
keeps on q shootin' 'em arter while
they'll all be gone. They don't know
how to kill 'em. Now I've been a
huntin' Of 'em an mus'rats nigh on to
forty years, an think knows how to
get 'em so as to make 'em pay, but
these yere other people just shoots 'em
oil to pieces. Look at them hides
hangin' yer" and he pointed to n
large number of small boards strung
along the wall on which were stretched
numberless muskrst and otter skins,
eyer don't see no holes in 'em, an
they amt dry an tough like. knows
how to dress 'em for market, / does"
And folding his arms he contem-
plated his trophies with a look OF
supreme satisfaction. There are various
devices for killing this aquatic animal,
principal among which is shooting.
This method is tabooed entirely by Mr..
Anderson, for, he alleges, the shot not
only mutilates the hide, but disfgures
it as well, the lead leaving pale blue
spots, which depreciates the value CT
the sldn in the market. Another
method Is the steel trap baited with
fish. This method is generally ignored
by experienced trappers, who have
substituted wooden boxes with wire
spring door. The otter, when caught
in the steel trap, lacerates itself terribly
in its vain attempts to free itself, rem
dering the hide absolutely unfit to put
upon the .'stretcher."
Mr.. Anderson has invented device
of his own, whereby the pelt is pre-
served almost intact 1t consists Of an
ordinary fishing net, woven upon two
crescent-shaped pieces of hard wood,
resembling an old fashioned money
purse. The mouth opens and closes
with spring. To this spring is
attached a light rope about twenty
yards in length. At the bottom of the
net is placed q weight sufficient to
bring the pieces of wood when the net
is set, on level with the surface of
the water. A fish is tied in the net as
bait. The net is taken out in boat
and set and secreted in clump of
thick underground on shore. Mr..
Anderson patiently waits and watches.
The night is dark and still. Present.
~ tiny plunge, a ripple on the water
and small black object is observed
swimming noiselessly in the direction
of the net. The keen-scented otter
has discovered its prey. Itdisappears,
and in q twinkling loud "click" Is
heard and the net is moving rapidly
toward the shore as if impelled by
some unseen power. A slight blow
upon the head, quick cash across the
throat with a sharp knife and the
struggles of the helpless animal are at
an end.
The skin is removed AZ slowly as
possible, care being taken that it does
not split or that no peel flesh comes
with it. 1t is thoroughly washed with
soap and water and rinsed in clear,
cold water to remove the particles of
sand and mud that adhere to the hair.
1t is then stretched upon fat, thin
board and hung up on q rafter until it
is thoroughly dry. The pelts are al
lowed to remain in this position about
two weeks. When taken off the board
the hair is combed with fine-toothed
comb, and the pelt is then placed in
huge cedar chest until the spring ship
ment occurs, when they are baled in
twelves and shipped to destination.
Mr.. Anderson will not tell what he
receives for his pelts, but as he is skill
full and painstaking IN their prepare
ton for the market 10 is said by those
who know that be- receives better
prices then any otner hunter on the