Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-12-08
CRAFTY BRE'R FOX
Trappers Give Him Credit for
Deep Cunning.
OF All Wild Animals, the Bushy.TaIIed
Rascal Is the Hardest to Trap
but Is Altogether undeserv-
ing Of Mercy.

In the opinion of traDpers, the fox
Is the most cunning and resourceful of
all the wild animals. He often fools
the most expert trapper and the truest
and fastest of dogs. Some trappers
who are very successful In catching
many other fur-bearers state that they
do not believe 1t possible to take Rey-
nard in steel trap. This, of course,
Is not the case-in fact, he Is as easy
to catch in steel trap as the mink.
provided the trapper thoroughly I'M
derstands his business. All that is
necessary is careful study of the ami
mal's nature and habits.
The fox lives on small game, birds,
eggs and poultry. He makes his den
In sandy hillsides. and In 1t the female
rears from three to seven puppies,
which are born In the early spring.
February is the season Reynard goes
wooing, and he travels far and wide
In search of sweethearts, faithful to
none, for his love Is more fleeing than
the footprints he leaves In the drifting
snow. The fox's sense of smell is
highly developed. and by 1t he detects
the danger of the trap. The scent left
by human hands and the scent left on
the trap by other animals caught in 1t
are quickly detected
"a successful fox trapper must be
a keen observer of Details" writes C.
A. Holmes, a special game protector,
in recent issue of the New York
state conservation bulletin. In de-
scrlbing different methods of hunting
and trapping foxes. He must realize
that he is pitting his wits against one
of the most cunning of animals that
roams the silent places of the hills and
valleys. Recently ! made an expert
mental set which resulted in the TAX
ing of one of the oldest. largest and
wisest foxes in this vicinity. I no.
ticed that the fox In question did not
seem to take alarm at my trail over
an old woods road, and as the snow
was quite deep, would even take adj
vantage of the better travelling by fol-
lowing in my tracks as far as he
cared TO 20 in my direction. That is
the way Of the fox-he is not blindly
afraid of man, but trusts to his wits
to keep him out of trouble He knew
that the trail was made by a man
walking, and he also knew that the
danger lay not IN the trail. but In the
man himself
"After | had Travelled this old road
several times. and had noticed Mr..
Fox was in the habit of following me
nearly every night. / picked out a
bush that stood close by the trail, to
serve as mark for locating the trap,
and here set two jump traps in one
of my own footprints, with sheet Of
clean paper beneath the traps, an
other sheet on top. and an inch Of
snow lightly brushed over all. fas-
tened the chains to clogs buried In the
snow at the side of the trail and went
on about my business.
"The next morning Reynard was
waiting for me, a trap on each front
foot. I would not have captured this
fox had l not made this experimental
set In the trail. and 1t only goes to
show the value of observation TO the
experienced rapper.
Every sportsman should realize
that one of the worst enemies of wild
life is the fox-cunning, vicious,
bloodthirsty-it kills for the love Of
killing. The warm blood of its vic
tins is its fountain of youth. Every
fox shot or caught In a trap means
just so many more grouse, pheasants
and rabbits-to say nothing about the
value of the fur. Fewer foxes, more
sport, more game, more fun"