| |
A strong cord is used for the noose, and the most popular thing for the purpose is the lighter weight twisted codfish line. It is an eighth inch or a trifle more in thickness, very stiff and hard, and will easily stand a strain of Too pounds. The cord is cut into yard lengths and a small loop tied in the end of each piece.
Lynx are very fond of following trails, if any are found, leading in the direction they travel, and a trail along the edge of a swamp is a very good location for a snare. After the snow fails the trappers make snowshoe trails in such places and set snares on the trails, for the hard, smooth path makes much easier walking for the lynx than the soft, deep snow.
The most common way of setting the snare is to cut a small evergreen tree and throw it across the trail, pressing it down until the trunk is about 20 inches above the path. The branches are then cut out on the underside and the snare is tied to the trunk of the tree. Two dead stakes are set in the center of the trail beneath the little tree, about 10 inches apart, and the noose is spread open between these stakes, held in place by little twigs stuck into knife cuts. Other dead sticks are then set at both sides, so the only opening is the one guarded by the noose. It is always best to locate the snare between clumps of brush.
Sometimes evergreen trees are not available and in such cases any small deciduous tree will answer; but it should be of a kind which the rabbits do not like for food, for anything which will attract rabbits must be avoided. Unless the snare cord is treated in some way the rabbits are a constant source of annoyance, biting the snare time after time. The most effective treatment I ever tried was to rub the snares with the excrement of the fox or lynx.
The Indians sometimes use a lifting pole in connection with the lynx snare, and unless 3 strong cord is used such a fastening is recommended. The pole is tied down to a cross pole by means of the snare hitch, which is loosened by the struggles of the captured lynx.
When lynx snares are set on snowshoe trails the trapper must step over them when traveling the trail. If he walks around the snare the lynx will do likewise.
Lynx may. also be taken in baited snares In such cases the bait is placed in an enclosure of sticks, evergreen boughs, or like material and the snare is fixed in the entrance.
Fur, News. Fur News, January 1916.
| |
| |
