Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-21

CAUGHT 54 MUSKRATs
 i AND NINE SKUNKS
 Since tho early part of November George W. Meyer and Carl Krauss of Lisbon have caught fifty-four muskrats and nine skunks in traps set in small streams, ponds, swamps and rivers in the neighborhood of Lisbon. These traps were visited every day, rain or shine, by the young hunters and were rebaited If needed. The rats that were caught were. immediately skinned, stretched and cured.
 The first day of trapping found all offthe traps set for muskrats. Some of Them were set with apple and in run ways and others were set in holes. They were out at daybreak, picking up the rats and reseting the traps. That mOrn- ing they caught six muskrats and every one of then, were big fellows. At the end of the first week twenty-one musk rats were caught.
 A few skunk tTaPS were set Q. .Ae first, day of the second week in dens and .traps were placed in trails leading ;.IrOm the holes of the skunks. No skunks were caught the first day, but four more mUsllrats were captured. The next day the skunk traps were looked at and a big skunk was seen pulling the trap about the hole in hopes of loosening his foot. The skunk was killed and skinned on the spot and the bait was used for a fox set. A No. ? trap was used This set has not caught anything, but the boys are positive it will catch something before the end of the season
 On the next day the muskrat traps were set in different locations where there were good rat signs. AIn one place in particular twenty rats were caught and only six traps were used.
 wak day and two skrlnks. One of the musk sraEs getting out of the trap just as Effa boys arrived.
 At the end of the first two weeks the boys had caught 40 muskrats and the lAipG3 skunlIs
 Eks3E the following two weeks the boys I0i9 e9ot do very much trapping, only 5noWF1and then getting a muskrat or two.ai
 KS The following are a few successful nsth3ds used in trapping the belts one 8essfin the picture, as described by the HB In trapping skunks, the preferable way ls to locate their dens, as many as 10 And I2 being found in single den. Once sound, the den should not be destroyed, ls that removes 1t as a source of rev snue. from future occupancy. The sl1unks fihould either be trapped or smoked out,
 
 :, In setting a trap at the entrance of theS den it should, if possible, be placed Just inside the entrance with the jaws engthwise to the hole. Thus the skunk ss compelled to step between the jaws. If he steps over them, when tha trap is sprung the jaw itself will soEnetimes throw his leg clear It is not necessary to use bait in a trap so set.
 If a well defined trail is found lead kaf+ a,j traps should be set, and scSAt Of some kind will be found a valuable aid in catching the skunk or skunks or any other animal that may happen to pass by. In fact, a good, strong concentrated scent easy to carry and use, will al- ways justify inself. This may be home made or may be bought from any large tur company.
 Besides the neighborhood of dens, oth. CT good places for sets are between two roots of tree, under stumps, or inside hollow logs.
 Whlle the intelligence of a skunk doe. not demand particular care in set ting, 1t is always wise to observe due precautions as often fox or other val nable. fur bearer may be caught
 In trapping muskrats, the first thinf to be done is to look along small streams popds and marshes for signs. His homt h the swamps and ponds isS made oi grass, rushes and mud, with the An trance below the water. Inside of thu nest on the grass is an ideal place fol trap From six to ten muskrats ma, lniabit one of these houses, where, shu in from the cold and outside weather they lie snug and warm through thu long winter months, only diving doW1 through their hidden entrance to secur,