Glacier County chief., 1939-03-31

usually circular and a complete trap
consists OF two large corrals, one or
more smaller pens and loading chute
al Of which are connected by gates.
the first large corral is about 10 feet
in height and is constructed Of heavy
poles for the front section as the ami
mails will not readily enter an enclosure
unless they can see out The half of
the fence on the side which connects
with, the second corral is boarded to
the top. W
The elk enter the trap by a large
gate in the front of the first corral
This gate is designed so that it will
SWING shut when released When trap
ping operations are in progress this
gaze Is fastened in the open position
by latch which is in turn attached
from 100 yards to one-quarter of a mile
IN length and Is held up by tripod
type supports. This long trigger line
enables the ranger to quietly approach
within view of the trap and still re-
main a sufficient distance away to
avoid disturbing the elk which. NAV
hay.
Do Trapping at Night
The actual trapping is usually done
work have to make regular trips to
their vantage points from the time
darkness falls until daybreak. The ac-
tual time that elk enter the trap is
dependent, TO- large extent, upon the
brightness Of the night and upon
Weather conditions. When the moon is
fuli, elk feed almost entirely at night
and retire to protected timber areas
during the day. Binoculars, with a high
degree of light-gathering power are
used to enable the operator to view
the trap in the darkness, but on many
stormy or very dark nights he is forced
TO pull the trigger and trust to luck,
AFTER the gate swings shut the cap
tured animals are Immediately herded
INTO the second corral which is boarded
the full height for its entire circuu-
ference This leaves the trap section
Tree Tor further operation and the cap
tured animals are held in this second
corral Where they are fed and watered
until being transported to their new
ranges.
Long. experience has demonstrated
That shipments should be made as soon
after the animals are captured as DOS
slble SO they are seldom held in the
traps for more than a few days. Live
shipments to areas within 200 to 4OC
m n1iis are are now made by trucks equipped
with stock racks which may provide
for from 10 to Is elk Care is exercised
sit. s 't"'i
Singles in Crates
Individual shipments are made ir
special crates that are fitted with doors
Tor feeding and watering. It is possible
Tor the animal to lie down in one OF
these crates and for unusually Ions
shipments the sides are padded witt
as much care as a manufacturer OF
furniture prepares a deluxe chair fol
ms best customer. Often the ell
shipped in this manner become world
travellers. such as the pair recently
shipped to the geological gardens If
Buencs Aires, Argentina.
The loading operations are attended
py much strenuous work and consider.
able excitement. A few head of ell
are permitted to enter the small pens
where they are carefully examined anC
undesirable animals are released. Those
selected for shipment are then crowd.
ed, one or two at time, into the
loading chute where the sex and age
are determined and a metal tag. bear.
ing serial number Is inserted in The
ear Of each animal for future identifi.
cation. A careful record Is thus made
OF each animal and hunters who secure
q tagged elk are requested to return
the band to the address thereon. AND
m this way much valuable data Is com.
piled on migrations, age and othe,
pertinent facts. The antlers Of bull eiI
! are cut off 20 that the other snimSiI
VIII not be injured IN shipment. mi