Fox Trapping - 1865

 Trappers Guide - S.Newhouse - c 1865 - Fox

This is a well known carnivorous animal of the dog or wolf family.  It is said that there are fourteen well ascertained species of foxes: six of which are found in the United States. They are distributed through all latitudes, but are most abundant in the north. The different species closely resemble each other in size, form, habits and mode of capture, and differ only in their color and the quality of their
furs; which vary in consequence of difference of species and climate, from the coarsest dog-fur to the finest sable. The American red fox is the most common, and in many parts of the United States is considered one of the worst robbers of the farmer's sheepfold and hen-roost. Foxes feed upon partridges, small birds, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, mice, fish, eggs, cheese, and are remarkably fond of grapes. When pressed with hunger, they accept reptiles and carrion. Their modes of securing their prey are various. They generally seize their victim by creeping stealthily within springing distance and pouncing on it like a cat; but they frequently pursue the rabbit and other game with the "long chase." Their senses of sight, smell and hearing are very acute, and their speed is great. They are cunning, and their tricks to escape their enemies and secure their prey are very remarkable. The length of the fox from the nose to the tip of the tail is about three feet, and its weight from fifteen to twenty-five pounds. The tail is large and bushy, and when wet retards their speed in running.

Their breeding season is in February or March, and they bring forth from four to nine at a birth. They generally burrow and rear their young in the earth, but sometimes take up their abode in a hollow tree or log, or in a ledge of rocks.

Some of the most successful methods of catching the fox are the following:

To prevent the smell of iron from alarming the game, the trap shou1d be thoroughly smeared with blood, which can be done by holding it under the neck of some bleeding animal and allowing it to dry. Or for the same purpose it may be heated and covered with bees-wax, which at the proper temperature will readily run allover the trap and chain. It should be set near the haunts of" the fox. A bed of ashes, chaff or light earth should conceal the trap, and it should be fastened to a movable clog of six or eight pounds weight, as directed on page 17. Wool, moss, leaves or some other soft substance should be packed lightly under the pan and around the jaws. The surface of the earth in the neighborhood of the trap should be brushed with a quill or bush, so that all will seem natural. Scraps, or small pieces of fried meat rolled in honey, should be scattered over the bed of the trap, except where the pan is. Care should be taken to erase all foot-prints. To make the allurement doubly sure, obtain from the female of the dog, fox, or wolf the matrix in the season of coition, and preserve it in a quart of alcohol tightly corked. Leave a small portion of this preparation on  something near the trap; and then putting some of it on the bottom of your boots from time to time, strike large circles in two different directions, leading round to the trap. A piece of bloody meat may be drawn on these circles at the same time. The fox, on striking this trail, will be very sure to follow it round to the trap and be caught.

Another method practiced by woodmen is to set the trap in a spring that does not freeze over in winter, placing it about a half an inch under water and covering the space within the jaws with a piece of moss that rises above the water. A bait of meat should be placed in such a position that the fox, in taking it, will be likely to put his foot on the moss, to prevent wetting it. The essence of  the skunk is sometimes used in this case in connection with the bait, with good effect; but most trappers prefer the preparation in alcohol, above mentioned.

Another good way is to obtain from the kennel of some tame fox (if' such can be found) a few quarts of loose earth taken from the place where the animal is accustomed to urinate. Set your trap in this material, and bait and smooth the bed as before. The fox, cunning as he is, is not proof against such attractions.

Try this for more modern trapping techniques.