Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping.pdf

Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of

Trapping and Trap Making, by William Hamilton Gibson

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or

re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making

Author: William Hamilton Gibson

Release Date: November 18, 2005 [EBook #17093]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMP LIFE IN THE WOODS ***

Produced by Robert J. Hall

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Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making

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AND THE

TRICKS OF TRAPPING

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CAMP LIFE IN THE WOODS

Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making

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AND

TRAP MAKING

CONTAINING

COMPREHENSIVE HINTS ON CAMP

SHELTER, LOG HUTS, BARK SHANTIES,

WOODLAND BEDS AND BEDDING, BOAT

AND CANOE BUILDING, AND VALUABLE

SUGGESTIONS ON TRAPPERS' FOOD, ETC.

WITH EXTENDED CHAPTERS ON THE

TRAPPER'S ART, CONTAINING ALL THE

"TRICKS" AND VALUABLE BAIT RECIPES

OF THE PROFESSION; FULL DIRECTIONS

FOR THE USE OF THE STEEL TRAP, AND

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAPS OF

ALL KINDS; DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE CAPTURE OF ALL FUR-BEARING

ANIMALS; VALUABLE RECIPES FOR THE

CURING AND TANNING OF FUR SKINS,

ETC., ETC.

W. HAMILTON GIBSON

AUTHOR OF "PASTORAL DAYS"

ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR

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.

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f all the various subjects in the catalogue of sports and

pastimes, there is none more sure of arousing the

enthusiasm of our American boys generally, than that

which forms the title of this book. Traps and Trapping,

together with its kindred branches, always have been and

always will be subjects of great interest among boys, and

particularly so to those who live in the 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 works of this character, that

are very excellent as far as they go, but are nevertheless incomplete and

unsatisfactory to the wants of American boys, dwelling largely on sports which

are essentially English, and merely touching upon or utterly excluding other

topics which are of the utmost interest to boys of this country. In no one of these

books, so far as the author of the present volume knows, is the subject of Traps

considered to any fair extent, and those examples which are given, represent

only the most common and universal varieties already known to the general

public.

With these facts in mind, the author has entered with zealous enthusiasm upon

the preparation of a work which shall fill this odd and neglected corner in

literature, and judging from the reminiscences of his own boyish experiences, he

feels certain that in placing such a volume within reach of the public, he supplies

a long felt want in the hearts of his boy-friends throughout the land.

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Far be it from us in the publication of this volume, to be understood as

encouraging the wanton destruction of poor innocent animals. Like all kindred

sports, hunting and fishing for example, the sport of Trapping may be perverted

and carried to a point where it becomes simple cruelty, as is always the case

when pursued for the mere excitement it brings. If the poor victims are to serve

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no use after their capture, either as food, or in the furnishing of their plumage

or skins for useful purposes, the sport becomes heartless cruelty, and we do not

wish to be understood as encouraging it under any such circumstances. In its

right sense trapping is a delightful, healthful, and legitimate sport, and we

commend it to all our boy-readers.

It shall be the object of the author to produce a thoroughly practical volume,

presenting as far as possible such examples of the trap kind as any boy, with a

moderate degree of ingenuity, could easily construct, and furthermore to

illustrate each variety with the utmost plainness, supplemented with the most

detailed description.

With the exception of all "clap-trap," our volume will embrace nearly every

known example of the various devices used for the capture of Bird, Beast, or

Fowl, in all countries, simplifying such as are impracticable on account of their

complicated structure, and modifying others to the peculiar adaptation of the

American Trapper.

Devices, which inflict cruelty and prolonged suffering, shall, as far as possible,

be excluded, as this is not a necessary qualification in any trap, and should be

guarded against wherever possible. Following out the suggestion conveyed

under the title of "The Trapper," we shall present full and ample directions for

baiting traps, selections of ground for setting, and other hints concerning the

trapping of all our principal game and wild animals, valuable either as food or

for their fur. In short, our book shall form a complete trapper's guide, embracing

all necessary information on the subject, anticipating every want, and furnishing

the most complete and fully illustrated volume on this subject ever presented to

the public. In vain did the author of this work, in his younger days, search the

book stores and libraries in the hopes of finding such a book, and many are the

traps and snares which necessity forced him to invent and construct for himself,

for want of just such a volume. Several of these original inventions will appear

in the present work for the first time in book form, and the author can vouch for

their excellence, and he might almost say, their infallibility, for in their perfect

state he has never yet found them to "miss" in a single instance.

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As the writer's mind wanders back to his boyish days, there is one autumn in

particular which shines out above all the rest; and that was when his traps were

first set and were the chief source of his enjoyment. The adventurous excitement

which sped him on in those daily tramps through the woods, and the buoyant,

exhilarating effect of the exercise can be realized only by those who have had

the same experience. The hope of success, the fears of disappointment, the

continual suspense and wonder which fill the mind of the young trapper, all

combine to invest this sport with a charm known to no other. Trapping does not

consist merely in the manufacture and setting of the various traps. The study of

the habits and peculiarities of the different game—here becomes a matter of

great importance; and the study of natural history under these circumstances

affords a continual source of pleasure and profit.

Among the most useful, although the most cruel, of inventions used by the

professional trapper are the steel traps; so much so that the author would gladly

omit them. But as they are of such unfailing action, of such universal efficacy,

and in many cases are the only ones that can be used, any book on trapping

would certainly be incomplete without them. The scope of our volume not only

embraces the arts of trapping and trap-making, but extends further into the

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