Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks ...

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making
Page 1 of 240
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of
Trapping and Trap Making, by William Hamilton Gibson
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making
Author: William Hamilton Gibson
Release Date: November 18, 2005 [EBook #17093]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMP LIFE IN THE WOODS ***
Produced by Robert J. Hall
file://C:\Documents and Settings\Stuart Goring\My Documents\Camp Life in the Woo...
11/01/2006
Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making
Page 2 of 240
AND THE
TRICKS OF TRAPPING
file://C:\Documents and Settings\Stuart Goring\My Documents\Camp Life in the Woo...
11/01/2006
CAMP LIFE IN THE WOODS
Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making
Page 3 of 240
AND
TRAP MAKING
CONTAINING
COMPREHENSIVE HINTS ON CAMP
SHELTER, LOG HUTS, BARK SHANTIES,
WOODLAND BEDS AND BEDDING, BOAT
AND CANOE BUILDING, AND VALUABLE
SUGGESTIONS ON TRAPPERS' FOOD, ETC.
WITH EXTENDED CHAPTERS ON THE
TRAPPER'S ART, CONTAINING ALL THE
"TRICKS" AND VALUABLE BAIT RECIPES
OF THE PROFESSION; FULL DIRECTIONS
FOR THE USE OF THE STEEL TRAP, AND
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAPS OF
ALL KINDS; DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE CAPTURE OF ALL FUR-BEARING
ANIMALS; VALUABLE RECIPES FOR THE
CURING AND TANNING OF FUR SKINS,
ETC., ETC.
BY
W. HAMILTON GIBSON
AUTHOR OF "PASTORAL DAYS"
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
TO
MY BELOVED FRIENDS
MR. AND MRS. F. W. GUNN,
KIND INSTRUCTORS, AND PARTICIPANTS
IN THE BRIGHTEST JOYS OF MY YOUTH,
THIS BOOK IS
AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY
THE AUTHOR.
Page 1
file://C:\Documents and Settings\Stuart Goring\My Documents\Camp Life in the Woo...
11/01/2006
Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making
Page 4 of 240
Page 3
f all the various subjects in the catalogue of sports and
pastimes, there is none more sure of arousing the
enthusiasm of our American boys generally, than that
which forms the title of this book. Traps and Trapping,
together with its kindred branches, always have been and
always
will
be subjects of great interest among boys, and
particularly so to those who live in the country.
It is a fact to be regretted that we have so few examples of "Boys' Books"
published in this country. There are a few English works of this character, that
are very excellent as far as they go, but are nevertheless incomplete and
unsatisfactory to the wants of American boys, dwelling largely on sports which
are essentially English, and merely touching upon or utterly excluding
other
topics which are of the
utmost
interest to boys of this country. In no one of these
books, so far as the author of the present volume knows, is the subject of Traps
considered to any fair extent, and those examples which are given, represent
only the most common and universal varieties already known to the general
public.
With these facts in mind, the author has entered with zealous enthusiasm upon
the preparation of a work which shall fill this odd and neglected corner in
literature, and judging from the reminiscences of his own boyish experiences, he
feels certain that in placing such a volume within reach of the public, he supplies
a long felt want in the hearts of his boy-friends throughout the land.
Page 4
Far be it from us in the publication of this volume, to be understood as
encouraging the wanton destruction of poor innocent animals. Like all kindred
sports, hunting and fishing for example, the sport of Trapping may be perverted
and carried to a point where it becomes simple cruelty, as is
always
the case
when pursued for the mere
excitement
it brings. If the poor victims are to serve
file://C:\Documents and Settings\Stuart Goring\My Documents\Camp Life in the Woo...
11/01/2006
Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making
Page 5 of 240
no use after their capture, either as food, or in the furnishing of their plumage
or skins for useful purposes, the sport becomes heartless cruelty, and we do not
wish to be understood as encouraging it under any such circumstances. In its
right
sense trapping is a delightful, healthful, and legitimate sport, and we
commend it to all our boy-readers.
It shall be the object of the author to produce a thoroughly
practical
volume,
presenting as far as possible such examples of the trap kind as any boy, with a
moderate degree of ingenuity, could easily construct, and furthermore to
illustrate each variety with the utmost plainness, supplemented with the most
detailed description.
With the exception of all "clap-trap," our volume will embrace nearly every
known example of the various devices used for the capture of Bird, Beast, or
Fowl, in all countries, simplifying such as are impracticable on account of their
complicated structure, and modifying others to the peculiar adaptation of the
American Trapper.
Devices, which inflict cruelty and prolonged suffering, shall, as far as possible,
be excluded, as this is not a necessary qualification in any trap, and should be
guarded against wherever possible. Following out the suggestion conveyed
under the title of "The Trapper," we shall present full and ample directions for
baiting traps, selections of ground for setting, and other hints concerning the
trapping of all our principal game and wild animals, valuable either as food or
for their fur. In short, our book shall form a complete trapper's guide, embracing
all necessary information on the subject, anticipating every want, and furnishing
the most complete and fully illustrated volume on this subject ever presented to
the public. In vain did the author of this work, in his younger days, search the
book stores and libraries in the hopes of finding such a book, and many are the
traps and snares which necessity forced him to invent and construct for himself,
for want of just such a volume. Several of these original inventions will appear
in the present work for the first time in book form, and the author can vouch for
their excellence, and he might almost say, their infallibility, for in their perfect
state he has never yet found them to "miss" in a single instance.
Page 5
As the writer's mind wanders back to his boyish days, there is one autumn in
particular which shines out above all the rest; and that was when his traps were
first set and were the chief source of his enjoyment. The adventurous excitement
which sped him on in those daily tramps through the woods, and the buoyant,
exhilarating effect of the exercise can be realized only by those who have had
the same experience. The hope of success, the fears of disappointment, the
continual suspense and wonder which fill the mind of the young trapper, all
combine to invest this sport with a charm known to no other. Trapping does not
consist merely in the manufacture and setting of the various traps. The study of
the habits and peculiarities of the different game—here becomes a matter of
great importance; and the study of natural history under these circumstances
affords a continual source of pleasure and profit.
Among the most useful, although the most cruel, of inventions used by the
professional trapper are the steel traps; so much so that the author would gladly
omit them. But as they are of such unfailing action, of such universal efficacy,
and in many cases are the only ones that can be used, any book on trapping
would certainly be incomplete without them. The scope of our volume not only
embraces the arts of trapping and trap-making, but extends further into the
Page6
file://C:\Documents and Settings\Stuart Goring\My Documents\Camp Life in the Woo...
11/01/2006
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]