Scattered from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean are thousands of trappers who use deadfalls, snares and other home-made traps, but within this vast territory there are many thousand who know little or nothing of them. The best and most successful trappers are those of extended experience. Building deadfalls and constructing snares, as told on the following pages, will be of value to trappers located where material--saplings, poles, boards, rocks, etc.--is to be had for constructing. The many traps described cannot all be used to advantage in any section, but some of them can. More than sixty illustrations are used to enable the beginner to better understand the constructing and workings of home-made traps. The illustrations are mainly furnished by the "old timers." Chapters on Skinning and Stretching, Handling and Grading are added for the correct handling of skins and furs adds largely to their commercial value. A. R. Harding. DEADFALLS AND SNARES CHAPTER I. BUILDING DEADFALLS. During the centuries that trapping has been carried on, not only in America, but thruout the entire world, various kinds of traps and snares have been in use and taken by all classes of trappers and in all sections the home-made traps are of great numbers. The number of furs caught each year is large. The above was said by a trapper some years ago who has spent upwards of forty years in the forests and is well acquainted with traps, trappers and fur-bearing animals. Whether the statement is true or not, matters but little, altho one thing is certain and that is that many of the men who have spent years in trapping and have been successful use the deadfalls and snares as well as steel traps. Another trapper says: In my opinion trapping is an art and any trapper that is not able to make and set a deadfall, when occasion demands, does not belong to the profession. I will give a few of the many reasons why dead falls are good. 1. There is no weight to carry. 2. Many of the best trappers use them. 3. It requires no capital to set a line of deadfalls. 4. There is no loss of traps by trap thieves, but the fur is in as much danger. 5. Deadfalls do not mangle animals or injure their fur. 6. It is a humane way of killing animals. 7. There is no loss by animals twisting off a foot or leg and getting away. 8. Animals are killed outright, having no chance to warn others of their kind by their cries from being caught. 9. Trappers always have the necessary outfit (axe and knife) with them to make and set a deadfall that will kill the largest animals. 10. The largest deadfalls can be made to spring easy and catch small game if required. 11. Deadfalls will kill skunk without leaving any scent. 12. Deadfalls are cheap and trappers should be familiar with them.