5 Snares and Traps

Today’s world grows more and more unstable. At any time the situation may arise that we won’t be able to go to grocery store to pick up milk and eggs. There may be a time when our electricity goes out, and we will need to survive on what we can catch and cook on a fire. It’s incredibly scary to think about, but there are a lot of things you can do to prepare for times like this. Brushing up on your survival skills and creating an emergency food storage will go a long way toward keeping you alive in an emergency situation. Learning how to trap animals is one way to accomplish both of these tasks. Animals you catch on your own are safe to eat for much longer than the meat you buy at your local grocery store because there is no processing or shipping time involved. Also, learning how to make traps will ensure that you can continue feeding yourself and your family long-term should your state of emergency carry on for any length of time. Here are a few traps to get you started:

1. Bait Stick Snare

For this type of trap you will need a spring pole, a stake with a fork at the end, toggle stick about as big around as a standard pencil, a snare line with a trigger line attached to it, a bait stick, and bait. The type of bait will depend on the type of animal you are trying to lure. To assemble this snare, tie the snare line to the spring pole, then twist the spring pole down until the snare line touches the ground and mark the spot where it touches. Pound the forked stake into the ground at the spot you marked. Next, fasten the pencil toggle to the end of the trigger line, still attached to the snare line. Thread the toggle through the fork on the end of the stake in the ground. Make sure you keep the toggle parallel to the ground. Place the baited trigger stick on the end of the toggle. Test it to make sure it functions properly. Remember not to handle the noose after trigger is set. Doing so could result in losing a finger. The strength and noose mechanism of this snare makes it a good chose for larger game.

2. Motion Triggered Snare

This one is a variation on the snare above, but without the bait. You will need all the same materials as the bait stick snare with the exception of a bait stick and bait. Place this snare near a trail that animals frequent. Your snare is tied to a virtual trigger stick. The noose pulls when the animal gets caught, which sets off the trigger stick. Be careful not to let the trigger line get tangled under the fork. This snare is great for when you don’t have access to any bait.

3. Peg snare

To build this trap you will need a spring pole, a peg, which you will drive into the ground, a snare line with and attached noose, a second peg that will be a trigger mechanism , and some bait. Start by carving a hook into the top of your peg and driving it as deep into the ground as possible. Carve a hook in the second peg. Fasten the snare line to the spring pole and fasten the second peg into the snare line. Set the noose on a trail. This one is a little trickier than the motion triggered snare, but it is great for catching animals on the move.

4.Treadle Snare

This easy snare needs a spring pole, a pencil toggle stick, a snare line with a noose and an attached trigger line, a treadle trigger stick, and a support for the trigger stick. Tie the snare line to the spring pole. Then fasten the toggle stick to the trigger line. Bend the spring pole downward and round the toggle over it to make sure it holds. Use the treadle trigger stick to keep the toggle steady. Hang the noose by the trigger stick. This one activates when it is stepped on or knocked into by an animal. This one is better from smaller animals.

5. Pine Pitch Bird Cup Trap

This trap is really easy, but it is illegal. It should only be used in the case of severe emergency. This trap only needs a plastic cup and some bird seed. Place pine pitch inside the cup and sprinkle birdseed in and around the cup. A bird will eat the seed around the cup and then go inside where it will get the pine pitch on its feathers and be unable to fly away. This is a good one for novice trappers because it requires very little equipment and preparation. It’s one for a real emergency crisis.

It’s always important to know how to survive should the unthinkable happen. These traps should get you through some tough situations, so ahead and go to the wilderness supply store and get the materials you need on hand and practice. While traps are a good addition to your survival skills, don’t forget other emergency items that are necessary to survive. You’ll need items for protection from the weather, and you won’t want to forget to I stock up on some 9mm ammo in case an emergency really does strike. Once you have survival equipment on hand, and the skill set to make these traps, you’ll be prepared for whatever may come.

by Lee Flynn


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3 thoughts on “5 Snares and Traps”

  1. Some simple drawings or Pics would have been nice. I can figure out the Tar Cup, but the others need precise carving probably.

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  2. All well and good. But in a total real deal collapse you can bet your life hundreds of millions of people will be doing the same thing and there will be little if any animal life to be found. Not a bird in the air, or a squirrel, or a deer – the rest will have run off and be in hiding. A good idea would be a breeding population of animals well concealed to replenish your supply of livestock.

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