Deadfalls and Snares by A. R. Harding isn't a story, but a practical guide aimed at trappers. Here's a breakdown of its focus:
- Target Audience: The book is written for trappers, particularly those new to the art of using deadfalls and snares.
- Focus on Homemade Traps: It emphasizes building traps from readily available materials like logs, boards, rocks, and saplings. This makes it a cost-effective approach to trapping.
- Advantages of Deadfalls and Snares: The book highlights the benefits of these traps, such as:
- Humane Killing: Deadfalls are said to kill animals quickly and minimize suffering.
- Preserving Fur Quality: Unlike steel traps, they don't damage the pelts of the trapped animals.
- Lightweight and Portable: They require no carrying heavy equipment through the wilderness.
- Reduced Thefts: Unlike steel traps, they are less susceptible to being stolen by other trappers.
- Trap Construction: The book provides detailed instructions on building different types of deadfalls and snares, likely with diagrams or illustrations for better understanding. It might cover variations for targeting specific animals like:
- Furbearers: Skunk, opossum, raccoon, mink, marten, and bear.
- Birds: Wild turkey and quail (using coop traps).
- Overall Importance: Deadfalls and Snares serves as a valuable resource for trappers seeking to build their own effective traps using readily available materials. It emphasizes a potentially humane and fur-preserving trapping method.
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