Deadfall trap
Maker: Northern Ojibwa
Medium:Carved wood
Geography: Ontario, Canada
Date: c. 1962
Object number: 962.255.1.C
Gallery Location:Daphne Cockwell Gallery dedicated to First Peoples art & culture
DescriptionDeadfall traps of various sizes were common devices for killing bear, beaver, otter, marten and mink. By the mid-20th century, however, the deadfall was seldom used. Bait, such as a fish head, was secured to a bait stick within the enclosure. As the animal reached in to grab the bait, it dislodged the support stick allowing the fall log to descend giving the death blow.
