The Spring Pole

Categories: STEEL TRAPS AND THE ART OF TRAPPING.

This is nearly always used in connection with the steel trap, in

the capture of the smaller land animals. It not only lifts the

creature into the air, and thus prevents its becoming a prey to

other animals, but it also guards against the escape of the victim

by the amputation of its own leg. This is a very common mode of

release with many kinds of game--notably the mink, marten, and

muskrat; and for the successful trap ing of these, as well as many

other animals, the spring and sliding pole are absolute necessities.

It is a simple contrivance, consisting merely of a pole inserted

in the ground near the trap. The pole is then bent down, and the

trap chain secured to its end. A small, notched peg is next driven

into the ground and the top of the pole caught in it, and thus

held in a bent position. When the animal is caught, its struggles

release the pole, and the latter, flying up with a jerk,


lifts the trap and its occupant high in the air, out of the reach

of marauders, and beyond the power of escape by self-amputation.

Even in the capture of large game the spring pole often serves to

good purpose. The struggles of a heavy animal are often so violent

as to break a stout trap or chain; and the force of the spring

pole, although not sufficient to raise the animal from its feet,

often succeeds in easing the strain, and often thus saves a trap

from being broken to pieces. The power of the pole must of course

be proportionate to the weight of the desired game.