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PORTABLE FLOAT FOR MUSKRATS | |
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The float is a great success in trapping muskrats in early springtime. To prepare these portable floats, I cut chestnut, hemlock, pine or cedar logs that are from eight to twelve inches in diameter into pieces from three to six feet in length, according to diameter. The greater the diameter, the shorter the float may be made. I take the piece of timber to the water and immerse it. Now I carefully mark the side that lies down, as nearly all sticks seem to prefer to rest on one side more than on the other side. This bottom side is flattened a little to make it all the steadier. We now proceed to cut a notch in the topside and in the center of the float. This notch is wider on each side than in the center and is cut down within one and one-half to two inches of the bottom of the log. A steel trap is set in this notch. When Mr. Muskrat comes along looking for some place to climb upon, he spies the float. This float is housed when not in use to keep it dry. When we place them we carry them in a boat. A staple with a ring is driven in one end of the float. A stake is stuck through the ring into the bottom if the water is shallow; if not, a cord is attached to the ring and anchored with a stone to the bottom.
O. E. Bartlett.
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