| |  Keeping Trapped Animals from Escaping | |
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Some of the fur-bearers that are likely to escape by gnawing or twisting off a foot may sometimes be held securely by the use of the “spring pole” or better still, the “balance pole”. The spring pole is a small springy sapling, trimmed of its branches and planted firmly in the ground. The trap fastened to the small end which is drawn down and held in that position by being hooked lightly under a crotched stake or a link of the chain may be hooked to a headless nail driven in the side of the stake. In theory this device works nicely but in practice it is not found to be perfect as the wood will lose its “spring” if kept bent for some time, especially in freezing weather. The balance pole is more faithful in its action. It is simply a long slender pole fastened in a crotch or tied to the side of a sapling, the trap being secured to the small end. It is so balanced that the weight of the butt will not only lift the trap but the captured animal as well. It is fastened down in the same way as the spring pole and is released by the struggles of the animal.
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