Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-23
TRAPPING THE OTTER.
HOW A MAEYLANDER GETS THE
VALUABLE PELTS.
Typical Eastern shoreman Scorns
Methods Employed by Modern Hum
tiers of the Otter, and Makes
Good Living.


streams contiguous to the Chesapeake
Bay on the eastern shore of Maryland
offers abound in great numbers, and
the trapping of these valuable animals
furnishes employment and substance
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 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 Il veritable
museum of chronological and ornitho-
logical wonders, and is we'll 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
snug little income by hunting the
| muskrat and otter.
Il never Seed" said he, one day last
winter, knocking the ashes from his
pipe and replacing it in his mouth, "a
| better winter for offers; they're thick
everywhere, but kin tell you, if them
lwhat don't know how to ketch 'em
keeps on 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 l knows how to
get 'em so as to make 'em pay, but
these yere other people just shoots 'em
all to pieces. Look at them hides
a hangin' yer" and he pointed to a
large number of small boards strung
along the wall on which were stretched
numberless muskrat and otter skins,
eyer don't see no holes in 'em, an
they amt dry an tough like. knows
how to dress EN- for market. l 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 us well, the lead leaving pale blue
spots, which depreciates the value Of
the skin in the market. Another
method is the steel trap baited with a
fish. This method is generally ignored
, by experienced trappers, who have
, substituted wooden boxes with wire
, spring door. The otter, when caugh
in the steel trap, lacerates itself terribly
in it's vain attempts to free itself rem
dering the hide absolutely unfit to pu
upon the ''stretcher."
Mr.. Anderson has invented device
of his own, whereby the pelt is pre-
, served almost intact. 1t consists OF al
ordinary fishing net, woven upon tw
a crescent-shaped pieces of hard wood
resembling an old fashioned none
|
: with spring. To this spring
attached light rope about twent
y yards in length. At the bottom OF tn
4 net is placed weight sufficient +
" bring the pieces of wood when the he
{ is set, on a level with the surface {
v the water A fish is tied in the net Il
4 bait. The net is taken out in a boa
l. and set and secreted in clump
Il thick underground on shore. MI
v Anderson patiently waits and watche.
- The night is dark and still. Present
n ly d tiny plunge ripple on the waite
and small black object is observe
q swimming noiselessly in the directie
,e of the net. The keen-scented ott'
m has discovered its prey. Itdisappear
It and in a twinkling loud 'click"
w heard and the net is moving rapid
at toward the shore as if impelled
G. some unseen power. A slight bic
r. upon the head, quick cash across Il
n throat with a sharp knife and Il
Ie struggles of the helpless animal are
:" an end.
n The skin is removed as slowly
- possible, care being taken that it do
k not split or that no peel flesh com
80 with it. 1t is thoroughly washed wi
,is soap and water and rinsed in cles
i'm cold water to remove the particles
ar sand and mud that adhere to the ha
m 1t is then stretched upon fiat, tt
in board and hung up on rafter until
ne is thoroughly dry. The pelts are
an lowed to remain in this position abb
two weeks. When taken off the boa
the hair is combed with a fine-tootf
comb, and the pelt is then placed in
The huge cedar chest until the spring sh
,es ment occurs, when they are baled
,ti- twelves and shipped to destination.
est Mr.. Anderson will not tell what
vas receives for his pelts, but as he is SIX
se, full and painstaking in their prepa
ing tlOn for the Market IL Is s".o W VI
who know that he receives bel
in prices then any other hunter on