Fox Trapping A Book of Instruction Telling How to Trap, Snare, Poison and Shoot - A Valuable Book for Trappers   By: Arthur R. Harding (1871-1930)

[Frontispiece: FALL CATCH]

FOX TRAPPING

A Book of Instruction Telling How to Trap, Snare, Poison and Shoot A Valuable Book for Trappers

EDITED BY A. R. HARDING

Published by A. R. HARDING PUB. CO. COLUMBUS, OHIO

Copyright, 1906 By A. R. HARDING

CONTENTS.

I. General Information II. Baits and Scents III. Foxes and Odor IV. Chaff Method, Scent V. Traps and Hints VI. All Round Land Set VII. Snow Set VIII. Trapping Red Fox IX. Red and Grey X. Wire and Twine Snare XI. Trap, Snare, Shooting and Poison XII. My First Fox XIII. Tennessee Trapper's Method XIV. Many Good Methods XV. Fred and the Old Trapper XVI. Experienced Trapper's Tricks XVII. Reynard Outwitted XVIII. Fox Shooting XIX. A Shrewd Fox XX. Still Hunting The Fox XXI. Fox Ranches XXII. Steel Traps

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Fall Catch Almost Dry Enough To Turn Vermont Hunter and Fox Skins Left for the Foxes to Devour A Good Runner Some Pet Foxes Silver and Black Fox Skins Live Silver Fox November Catch Awaiting the Trapper After the Chase Trap and Grapnel Caught in Maine Caught by a Missouri Trapper White Fox Skins A Rhode Island Scene Grey Fox Sacking Foxes Wire or Twine Snare The Wire Loop Spring Pole Snare The Runway Snare Set Some Canadian Reds Caught in a No. 1 Caught on His Own Farm Tennessee Trapper and Traps Thirty Silver Fox Skins worth $5000 California Trapper Visiting Traps Pennsylvania Fox Trapper's Cabin New England Trapper's Catch Pack of New England Fox Hounds The Spring and Sod Set Odorless and White as Snow Canadian Trapper and Fifteen Reds Adirondack Trapper Fox Traps with Drags Killed Before Breakfast Result of a Three Day's Hunt Always Hungry Black Fox Skin Valued at $1500 Northern Fox Trapper's Dog Team Fox and Other Steel Traps

[Illustration: A. R. Harding]

INTRODUCTORY.

If all the methods as given in this book had been studied out by one man and he began trapping when Columbus discovered America, more than four hundred years ago, he would not be half completed.

The methods given on the following pages are principally taken from articles published in the H T T, and as the writers give their own most successful methods, the trapper of little experience with fox will find them of great value.

Their articles are from all parts of America, so that trappers from any section will find a method or methods that can be used. The red fox is the one most sets describe, yet what is a good method for one species is apt to be for others.

A. R. HARDING.

FOX TRAPPING

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL INFORMATION.

Foxes are found in all parts of America, but probably most numerous in the New England States and parts of Canada. The range of the red is from Virginia to Alaska; grey, Southern and Southwestern States; cross, Northern New Jersey to Manitoba; black, Alaska, and the territories several hundred miles to the South and East; swift, the prairies or Great Plains; white and blue, the Arctic Regions.

While their fur has been one of value for many, many years, and they have been hunted, trapped and snared, yet their numbers are holding up remarkably well owing to their shrewdness. While many tricks are claimed for foxes that they never did, yet they are very cunning animals and also fleet on foot.

In hilly and mountainous countries they travel much on the highest ground, and have regular "crossings," where the experienced hunter or trapper often makes a kill or catch.

Foxes are carnivorous living on flesh. Their principal food consists of rabbits, squirrels, mice, birds, bugs, eggs, etc. In some places where the food named is not plenty they visit creeks, lakes and ponds hunting crabs and fish. While they prefer fresh meat, they take stale and even decayed meats in severe weather.