Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-12-09
HOW TO CATCH MUSkRATS.
Trapper of Long Experience Gives
Valuable Tips.

Geo. 7. ThieSSen, in Progressive farm-
er.
The muskrat is the only one Of the
smaller fur-bearing animals that does
not eat flesh. Its food consists entire
ly Of vegetables. The best dccoys arc
corn, apples, parsnips, turnips, cabbage
and similar foods. .
Before giving. methods of trapping
I wish to say that if one employs
the No. o Jump, Leap or Kangaroo
traps he will have better success than
with the larger Newhouse. style. The
small traps are strong enough to hold
the fur bearer and yet not break or
cut the leg bones When this occurs.
the muskrat invariably escapes. That
is why so many beginners catch fleet
instead Of fur"
The simplest method Of taking the
muskrat is to place traps at the en-
frances Of dens, the foot Of slides or
the doors of. houses, using no, decoys.
AS a rule the fur bearer. builds a house
on shallow ponds, lakes and even
streams. In flowing. water, the dens
are most numerous in the, banks.
Always stake sets in deep water. /
find that short pieces Of wire often
help. Traps ought to be placed where
the depth is about three inches. When
this is done the muskrat is taken by
the long hind legs instead Of shorter
and weaker front one. Muskrat taken
by hind legs rarely escape; those by
front ones frequently. These tips
should be borne in mind when trap
ping for muskrat.
Place a small head of cabbage or a
pumpkin in shallow water surrounding
it with traps. This will invariably
give results, especially just before cold
weather.
Where the water is not deep build
small mound so that the top is but
few inches above the surface. Hollow
out an excavation for the set, being
sure that the trap is covered with
water when placed on top Of the
mound. Use no decoys, for the first
-muslrat coming along will climb the
pile of earth and investigate. Seldom
does the animal escape the set.
Place board at sharp angle in
the water so that the top is but few
inches above the surface. Support the
board at the high. end with one or
more sticks stuck into the mud. With
nails make rest for the trap just be-
low the water. On the board above
the surface, place an apple or some
other bait. In attempting to reach
the decoy the muskrat will climb the
board and if the set has been properly
constructed, the pelt will await the
trapper. With this method it is best
to employ a common fence board, fas-
tening, the lower end in the mud. =.
If one can procure some beaver cas-
tors-almost any drug store can pro-
scure them although they are listed as
castoreum-he can make some excel
lent scent for attracting the muskrat.
Chop the castor up fine and soak for
a week or ten days in grain alcohol: A
few drops Of this lure placed on weeds
or brush near a trap will give excel
lent results.
The muskrat is an fnqusitive ami
NAL. Place piece Of white paper hear
a concealed set in shallow water and
it is almost sure to investigate. ,o-f
On inclined sticks about four inches
above the surface of a stream or ponG
place small apples or parsnips. q favor
the latter because Of their pungent
odor.) Under the decoys arrange sets.
Remember if the water is too. deep
for sets, frequently bases for the traps
can be built up, as previously ex-:
planned. If too shallow, scoop out ex-
cavations.
Look for shallow runs between
ponds of water which the animals use.
In these place traps. No decoy is nee
essary.
At the mouth of large tiles well filled.
with water are good places to arrange
sets. Bait is not necessary. t..t
Animals left in traps several days
even if they are dead will frequently
be destroyed or partially eaten by
minks. Therefore watch all sets close
ly.
In stretching. use board or steel
forms. When the first named are en-
ployed, it is best to have the wood thin.
so that it can be split when the hides
are removed. Never employ bent
sticl: as a stretcher. This method
known as the Indian-is not satisfac-
tory and the fur buyers do not pay
high prices for furs shaped by it. If