3.2 Pit traps or wolf pits
The ‘wolf pit’ is the oldest trap. Also called ‘louvière’, it is a simple hole covered with light branches and leaves. The wolf, attracted by the smell of a piece of meat, falls to the bottom of the pit. But sometimes a clever wolf succeeds in escaping. In some traps sharpened stakes are located, on to which the wolf is impaled. Sometimes the pit is covered with a tilting tray: the meat is then placed either at the bottom of the louvière, or in the middle of the tray. When the wolf walks on the lid it rocks, precipitating the animal into the trap where it cannot escape.
The Wolf Pit is the oldest trap. Also called louvière, it is a simple hole covered with light branches and leaves.
