The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-02-16
CRAFTY BRE'R FOX |
trap2ers Give Him Credit for
Deep Cunning.
VI All Wild Animals, the BushyralIed
Rascal Is the Hardest to Trap.
but Is Altogether Undeserv-
ing of Mercy.

IN shc opinion of trappcrs, the fox
IS inc most cunning and resourccful of
hll the wild animals. He often fools
inc most expert trappcr and the trucst
ana fastest of dogs. Some trappers
VINO are very successful in catching
many other fur-bcarcrs state that they
90 not believe 1t possible. to take Rev
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 trappor thoroughly un-
derstands his business. All that is
necessary Is careful study of the ami
maPs 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 Rcynard goes
wooing, and he travels far and wide
IN search Of sweethenrts, faithful to
none, for his love is more ncetlng than
ne footprints he leaves In tie drifting
snow. The foXs sense OF smell Is
highly developed. and by it he detects
thc danger of the trap. The scent left
by human hands and the scent cft on,
the trap by other animals caught in It
are quickly detected.
"A successful fox trnpper must be
n keen observer OF details" writes c..
a. Holmes, special game protector
IN recent issue OF the New York
state conservation bulletin, in de-
Scribing different methods Of hunting
and trapping foxes. "IIc must realize
that he IS pItting his wits against one
OF the most cunning of animals that
ronmS the silent places OF the hills and
valleys. Recently I made an expert
mental set which resulted in the talk
Ing of one Of the oldest. largest and
wisest foxes in this vicinity. I no.
hced that the fox In question did not
seem to take alarm Mt my trail over
an OLD woods road, and rs the snow
was quite deep would even take ad-
vantage Of the better travelling by fol-
lowing In my tracks as far MS he
cared to go 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 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, I picked out
bush that stood close by the trail, to
serve rs mark for locating tho trap.
and here set two jump traps IL" 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. I fas-
tened the chains to clogs buried In the
snow at the side Of the trail and went
on about my business.
"rhc next morning Reynard was
foot. would not have captured this
fox had not made this experimental
set in the trail, and 1t only goes to
show the value OF observation to the
experienced trnppcr.
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 It's vic.
tins is its fountain Of youth. Every
fox shot or caught In trap means
Just so many more grouse, pheasants
ard rabbits-to say nothing about the
value Of the fur Fewer foxes, more
sport, more game, more fun"