The National tribune., 1902-04-10
TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON, THURSDAY APRIL TO- 1902

lordsville, is n trapper and naturalist Of
no mean order, and is noted far and wide
in tine region for his ability to OutmaSter
the vulpine cunning. One of his methods
is to set steel traps beside carcasses of
domestic animals that have been drawn off
into the woods, ard become the popular
meat market for foxes and other animals.
Another resident who thus utilized the
body of n fine hog of his that had died
asserts that the foxes he caught more than
returned the value of the hog. But this
device mains so many of the neghbOrs'
dogs that my friend prefers other ways.
Mr.. Austin's favOrite method is the fol-
lowing Selecting one of the numerous
warm spring holes that do not freeze over,
in the wooded swamps between the hills,
he staples the chain of common strong
spring-trap to Il rather heavy movable
drag, lays the end of the drag in the water
and places the trap out i'll the shallow
pool, covering the chain with mud and
putting round piece of moss on the
pan of the trap so that it just projects
above the surface, like Il little natural
hummock. The bait, Il piece of meat, is
laid near the trap, out in the water, on
the surface of which it is held from be-
meath by a little stake. Sometimes he
sets the bait at this first visit, but the
safest way, especially to catch the red
fox, Is to leave the trap without bait un-
til after q storm has removed all trace
OF scent of the inevitable tramping about
Then he proceeds straight to the trap,
leaves the bait, and goes directly away.
In time the fox comes, probably that
same night for regardless of severe
weather, during which many animals are
qWesccnt, the foxes are regularly abroad.
Several nights may intervene, however,
before the spring is visited. Whenever the
fox arrives, he trOts all around the spring
many times, viewing the situation from
every possible standpoint. If satisfied that
there is no trap, the problem next consid-
cred is how to get the meat without wet
ting his feet. which discomfort is especi-
ally the aversion of the red fox. OF
course, that little island out there is the
proper place to step on. Snap! He fights
and struggles hard, but the trapper finds
| him later.
One day l wrote to my friend that l
wanted to photograph n fox. Promptly
next morning came u telephone call, which
/ hastened to obey. There was gray fox
standing in the mBd-hole, shivering and
with bedrag ggled fur tied up in curl-papers
o.ssrozen mud. What Il barking and snarl-
ing ensued as the trapper pulled him and
the drag to dry land, where l photo
graphcd him, just as he was. Then, pin
ming him by the neck to the ground with
Il forked stick we tied him securely with
a cord, so that he could not bite or escape
strung him by the legs to a pole, and car
ried him to Mr.. Austin's house. A strap
for a collar, with n small chain attached
gave me vantage, and L drove home, carry
ing him in box.
For the next few days I had him
chained by my barn, and managed to pho,
tOgraph him under great difficulties. He
sulked, squinted up his eyes, refused to
stand. upset my background every few
minutes in his frantic efforts to get his
nose behind it, leaped and snapped at me
and twice got me, In these various
struggles L broke two legs of my tripod
nearly wrecked my camera, and spoiled
many plates. He acted like an unwill
ing criminal being photographed for the
''rogues' gallery" But he was ever
more at a disadvantage than l. In tht
course of time his likeness was wresteC
| from him. Then came bottle of chloro
form. The end of that fox was peace
and the taXidermist.