The bear, lynx, and other large animals are sometimes taken by the gun trap, but it is most generally set for the Puma.

THE BOW TRAP.

This device does duty in India and Southern Asia, where it is known as the tiger trap.

[Illustration]

It is easily constructed as follows:  First cut a stout board five inches in width, two and a half feet in length and about two inches in thickness.  Shave off one end to a point so that it may be driven into the ground.  At the other extremity, in the middle of the board and about two inches from the edge, a hole one half an inch in diameter and three quarters of an inch in height, should be made; two auger holes, one directly above the other with the sides flatly trimmed, will answer perfectly.  The arrow should next be constructed.  This should be made of seasoned oak or ash, two feet in length, perfectly straight, smooth and round, and one third of an inch in [Page 24] diameter.  One end should be notched for the bow string and vaned with thin feathers after the manner of ordinary arrows.  The other extremity should be armed with a steel barb sharply pointed, and firmly riveted in place.  Any blacksmith can forge such a tip; the shape of which is plainly seen in our engraving.  The bow should consist of a piece of stout seasoned hickory, oak or ash four feet long, if such a bow is not at hand, a stout sapling may be used.  The bow string may consist of cat-gut, or stout Indian twine.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Before setting the trap, it is advisable to attract the game to the spot selected as already alluded to in connection with the gun trap, and particularly so when the Puma is the victim sought.  In our illustration we see the trap as it appears when set, and the same precaution of aiming at some tree should be exercised as advise with the gun trap.  The bow should first be secured in place directly beneath and one eighth of an inch from the edge of the hole in the board, as seen at (a).  Two large wire staples may be used for this purpose, being passed over the bow through holes in the board and clinched on the opposite side.  The bend of the bow and length of string should now be determined, one end of the latter being attached to the tip of the bow and the other end supplied with a loop.  The board should then be driven into the ground to the depth of about eight inches.  We will next take up the arrow.  Pass the barb through the hole in the board and adjust the notch over the bow-string, draw the arrow back and release the string.  If the arrow slide easily and swiftly, through the board, keeping true to its aim, the contrivance is in perfect working order and is ready to be set.  This is accomplished by the very simple and ingenious mechanical arrangement, shown at (b).  On the under side of the arrow just behind the barb, a flat notch one eighth of an inch in depth and two and a half inches in length