If a novice thinks he will trap successfully by such artless endeavours
as putting a bait on the plate of a trap that is covered over with moss,
or by digging a pitfall in the middle of a wild beast's track, he is
utterly mistaken. The bait Should be thrown on the ground, and the trap
placed on the way to it; then the animal's mind, being fixed on the meat,
takes less heed of the footpath. Or a pitfall should be made near the
main path; this being subsequently stopped by boughs, causes the animal
to walk in the bushes, and to tumble into the covered hole. The slightest
thing diverts an animal's step: watch a wild beast's path across a forest
--little twigs and tufts of grass will be seen to have changed its
course, and caused it to curve. It is in trifles of this sort that the
trapper should look for auxiliaries. After setting traps, Mr. St. John
recommends the use of a small branch of a tree; first, to smooth the
ground, and then, having dipped it in water, to sprinkle the place: this
entirely obliterates all foot-marks.
Springes.--General Remarks.--Harden the wood of which the mechanism has
to be made, by means of fire; either baking it in hot sand or ashes, or
otherwise applying heat to a degree just short of charring its surface.
The mechanism will then retain the sharpness of its edges under a
continuance of pressure, and during many hours of wet weather.
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