CAMP LIFE IN THE WOODS
AND THE
TRICKS OF TRAPPING
AND
TRAP MAKING
CONTAINING
COMPREHENSIVE HINTS ON CAMP SHELTER, LOG HUTS, BARK SHANTIES, WOODLANDBEDS AND BEDDING, BOAT AND CANOE BUILDING, AND VALUABLE SUGGESTIONSON TRAPPERS' FOOD, ETC. WITH EXTENDED CHAPTERS ON THE TRAPPER'SART, CONTAINING ALL THE "TRICKS" AND VALUABLE BAIT RECIPES OF THEPROFESSION; FULL DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE STEEL TRAP, ANDFOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAPS OF ALL KINDS; DETAILED INSTRUCTIONSFOR THE CAPTURE OF ALL FUR-BEARING ANIMALS; VALUABLE RECIPES FORTHE CURING AND TANNING OF FUR SKINS, ETC., ETC.
BY
AUTHOR OF "PASTORAL DAYS"
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Page 1TO
MY BELOVED FRIENDS
MR. AND MRS. F. W. GUNN,
KIND INSTRUCTORS, AND PARTICIPANTS
IN THE BRIGHTEST JOYS OF MY YOUTH,
THIS BOOK IS
AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY
THE AUTHOR.
f all the various subjects in the catalogue ofsports and pastimes, there is none more sure of arousing theenthusiasm of our American boys generally, than that which forms thetitle of this book. Traps and Trapping, together with its kindredbranches, always have been and always will be subjects ofgreat interest among boys, and particularly so to those who live inthe country.
It is a fact to be regretted that we have so few examples of "Boys'Books" published in this country. There are a few English worksof this character, that are very excellent as far as they go, butare nevertheless incomplete and unsatisfactory to the wants ofAmerican boys, dwelling largely on sports which are essentiallyEnglish, and merely touching upon or utterly excluding othertopics which are of the utmost interest to boys of thiscountry. In no one of these books, so far as the author of thepresent volume knows, is the subject of Traps considered to anyfair extent, and those examples which are given, represent only themost common and universal varieties already known to the generalpublic.
Page 4With these facts in mind, the author has entered with zealous enthusiasmupon the preparation of a work which shall fill this odd and neglectedcorner in literature, and judging from the reminiscences of hisown boyish experiences, he feels certain that in placing such avolume within reach of the public, he supplies a long felt wantin the hearts of his boy-friends throughout the land.
Far be it from us in the publication of this volume, to be understoodas encouraging the wanton destruction of poor innocent animals. Likeall kindred sports, hunting and fishing for example, the sport ofTrapping may be perverted and carried to a point where it becomessimple cruelty, as is always the case when pursued for themere excitement it brings. If