New-York tribune., 1903-01-11
ON THE HUNTING OF THE MUSKRAT.
4 PROFITABLE INDUSTRY IN CERTAIN PARTS OF
THE COUNTRY-HABI7S OF THIS RODENT.

An interesting industry. and one only slightly
known outside of the regions in which it is prose-
cuted is that of muskrat hunting While these
rodents are to found in all Of the eastern
States the principal supply comes from Maryland
Delaware Pennsylvania New-Jersey and Maine
In Maryland and Delaware they are common IN
the fresh water marshes. while IN PennssISania
and New-Jersey they are most common along the
Delaware River In Maine they are found princi-
palIy in ponds and creeks
The muskrats are now busily engaged in -prepar-
ing their winter habitatons. These are made OF
dead grasses and flags, small bits of water soaked
wood and little pebbles the whole cemented to-
gether with clay mud. which the animal has
chewed into fine mortar. and laid on evenly with
its paws The foundation wall. which Is usually
about six feet in diameter. is laid on a shelving
shore In five or six feet of still water. and is built
up high with great until the surface of the
water is reached Near the bottom two three
holes are left doors. so that the musk
rats can pass in and out below the ice While be
low the surface the outside walls of the house are
smooth and gIisening like Ice the walls above the
surface are rough and untdy. with great tufts OF
dead grasses protruding from all sides. giving
stranger the impression that the house thrown
I'D by the action of the frost. The cone shaped
tops are from three to five feet above water
Below the water line the houses of bare mud
inside. few inches above the water floor of
sticks rough grasses is built across the inside
of the habitaticn. When in their house the musk
rats lie upon this scanolding. with their heads
pointing the hole in the centre. so that In case
of sudden alarm they may escape to the waters
of the pond 1t is said by many of the old hunters
that the rnuskrat knows in advance how high the
streams and ponds will be raised by the spring
freshets. and builds it's home accordingly In any
event. the wary animals good Judgment In
this respect and are rarely washed out. In
some regions the divides its domicile off into
numerous stories. and sub-divides the latter into
many chambers. thus making sort OF rat fat.
II
In Maryland the hunting is from January
to April l. while in Maine hunting is allowed in
March and April. In the other States there is no
close season. although. of course, the season Is
usually limited the colder part of the year. as
fur is then at its best.
The animals are generally captured by means of
traps. by gigs and by shooting.
The trap is a small steel affair and is set the
tops of logs close to the edges of the ponds and
creeks 1t is secured to the log by stout chain
and is weighted with The rat climbs
on these logs and it walks along the top. steps
into the trap thus releasing the jaws. which close
up imprisoning one the animals legs. As soon
as caught. the muskrat pIunges into the water.
where the weight of the trap holds it down until
it is drowned. Should the trap be set back from
the water, the rat would gnaw of its imprisoned
limb and escape three legs.
Gigs are spears with long. sharp points
When the hunter finds a house he pIunges this
gig down through the roof clear to the bottom and
It apt transfx two three of the rats IN its
downward passage.
Shooting Is generally practsed in Maryland, and
is carried at night. when the rats out 10
drink. The hunters. ncased in long rubber boots
that up TO their thighs. have torch bearers
carrying torches which send a weird light for
many yards around. These torch bearers make a
peculiar clicking sound through their teeth that
brings the inquisitive creatures from their hiding
places into glare of the light. thus giving the
gunner fine target. which he is quick to improve
the boys have glorious fun and considerab BILE profit
hunting muskrats skates. Like all amphibfoIls
animals the remain under the water a
considerable time before coming the surface to
breathe Frequently it travels for miles under the
ice In ponds and creeks In order 10 do this n
must stop often in twenty minutes and
eject It's breath into the water. This vtiated air
rising the surface, forms big. pale bubble
which can be easily through clear ice After
being exposed TO the water for few minutes tho
bubble becomes oxygenated. when the muskrat In
haes the globue Of air and resumes its Journey
This the animal does time and again. until II
reaches an air hole. where fresh air is TO be had
The boys the newly frozen ponds in
ha bited by the animals. and when they find one OF
the bubbles they through the into il With
a jackknife After the air has ped the OPEN
ing is plugged with little stick. and the i'm
prisoned animal much exhausted and dazed
TO go away. is smothered the SPOT where n