Wolf and Coyote Trapping

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

I. The Timber Wolf
II. The Coyote
III. Killing of Stock and Game by Wolves
IV. Bounties
V. Hunting Young Wolves and Coyotes
VI. Hunting Wolves with Dogs
VII. Still Hunting Wolves and Coyotes
VIII. Poisoning Wolves
IX. Trapping Wolves
X. Scents and Baits
XI. Scent Methods
XII. Bait Methods for Wolves
XIII. Southern Bait Methods for Coyotes
XIV. Northern Bait Methods for Coyotes
XV. Blind Set Methods
XVI. Snow Set Methods
XVII. Some Rules and Things to Remember
XVIII. The Treacherous Grey Wolf
XIX. Wolf Catching
XX. With the Coyotes
XXI. Wolf Trapping an Art




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Map Showing the Range of the Timber Wolf
Western Grey Wolf in a Trap
Track of the Grey Wolf
Coyote and Badger Killed in Texas
A Trapped Coyote
Track of the Coyote
Wolves Killing a Deer
Remains of Deer Killed by Wolves
Grey Wolf
Diagrams showing Difference in Size of Wolves and Coyotes
A Wyoming Wolf Den
A Near View of the Den
Young Wolves at Entrance of Den
The Hunter's Outfit
An Oklahoma Hunter with Young Coyotes
Catch of a Canadian Hunter
A Still Hunter and His Outfit
Killed by the Still Hunt
Method of Preparing Poison Baits
The Newhouse Wolf Trap
The Two-Pronged Drag
Method of Attaching an Oblong Stone
Method of Attaching a Triangular Stone
Iron Stakes for Traps
Trap Set and Ready for Covering
Wyoming Wolf Trapper
Caught in a Scent Set
Trail Bait Set
The Square Setting
Coyote Caught at a Bank Set
Wolf Water Set
A Trapped Wolf
A Trapped Texas Coyote
A Northern Coyote
An Idaho Coyote
A Trail Set
Traps Set at Badger Den
A Good Catch
A Snow Set
A Large Wisconsin Wolf
Mr. Davis with the Big Wolf Skins
A Texas Specimen
Caught at Last
A Northern Wolf

[Illustration: A. R. Harding.]



INTRODUCTION.

There are certain wild animals which when hard pressed by severe cold
and hunger, will raid the farmers and ranchmen's yards, killing fowls
and stock. There however, are no animals that destroy so much stock
as wolves and coyotes as they largely live upon the property of
farmers, settlers and ranchmen to which they add game as they can get
it.

While these animals are trapped, shot, poisoned, hunted with dogs,
etc., their numbers, in some states, seem to be on the increase
rather than the decrease in face of the fact that heavy bounties are
offered.

The fact that wolf and coyote scalps command a bounty, in many
states, and in addition their pelts are valuable, makes the hunting
and trapping of these animals of no little importance.

One thing that has helped to keep the members of these "howlers" so
numerous is the fact that they are among the shrewdest animal in
America. The day of their extermination is, no doubt, far in the
distance.

This book contains much of value to those who expect to follow the
business of catching wolves and coyotes. A great deal of the habits
and many of the methods were written by Mr. E. Kreps, who has had
experience with these animals upon the Western Plains, in Canada, and
the South. Additional information has been secured from Government
Bulletins and experienced "wolfers" from various parts of America.

A. R. Harding.



WOLF AND COYOTE TRAPPING



CHAPTER I.

THE TIMBER WOLF.

Wolves of all species belong to that class of animals known as the
dog family, the members of which are considered to be the most
intelligent of brute animals. They are found, in one species or
another, in almost every part of the world. They are strictly
carnivorous and are beyond all doubt the most destructive of all wild
animals.

In general appearance the wolf resembles a large dog having erect
ears, elongated muzzle, long heavy fur and bushy tail. The size and
color varies considerably as there are many varieties.

The wolves of North America may be divided into two distinct groups,
namely, the large timber wolves, and the prairie wolves or coyotes
(ki'-yote). Of the timber wolves there are a number of varieties,
perhaps species, for there is considerable difference in size and
color. For instance there is the small black wolf which is still
found in Florida, and the large Arctic wolf which is found in far
Northern Canada and Alaska, the color of which is a pure white with a
black tip to the tail.