Traps and Trapping / Snares

The information below is from a book I have, I couldn't locate a online source to provide additional information so the quoted portions are taken directly from John "Lofty" Wiseman's book, "the ultimate survival guide."

In a survival situation knowing how to build and utilize traps to catch prey will significantly increase the odds of whether or not you eat. There are multiple different methods and traps available for use, and the best thing is they can be made from the environment around you albeit you have a few tools.

The idea is to generalize yourself with a few good traps and gaming methods that up chances of surviving in a survival situation.

Snare traps are great for catching small to medium size prey. Using a nonferrous wire such as brass about 60 - to 90 cm (2-3- ft) is a great tool, which should be found in a survival kit along with various items. Before we begin to look at different traps, let's look at the basic rules for trapping.

Regular checking is essential. Leaving a trap line unchecked will prolong an animal's pain and increase the risk of your catch struggling free--animals will bite off a limb to escape--or being poached by predators.

Rules For Traps:

1. Avoid disturbing the environment: Don't tread on the game trail, leave little signs as possible you were there.

2. Hide scent: Handle traps as little as possible, and when setting use gloves. Masking scent with campfire smoke is excellent for hiding odor.

3. Camouflage: Hide freshly cut ends of wood with mud. Cover ground snares with natural material such as sticks, leaves or foliage.

4. Make them strong: Any animal ensnared in a trap will fight for it's life exposing weakness and possibly getting away.

Large versions of traps can be dangerous for humans. Toggle release traps are easily set off accidently. In a survival situation ensure that everyone know's where the traps are. In survival practice keep people away from them and never leave a trap set-up at the end of an exercise.

Here's short video that will show you how to make a spring snare which is the basis for all the snares that can be made highlighted below.



There are multiple different snares available for use, the good thing is the environment provides the main resources for building them.

The first one we are going to look at is a simple wire snare as the pictured below which doesn't require any additional supplies to make besides wire, cordage and tool..ie..knife.

A wire snare can be supported off the ground on twigs, which can be used to keep a suspended string noose open. Set the snare a hand's length from an obstruction to catch rabbits.

A spring snare as seen below is also an excellent snare. Using this type of snare has benefits compared to the previous. One, the animal struggles less and therefore suffering decreases, and it hoists the animal up into the air leaving predators less odds of stealing your meal.

Cut notch in trigger (a) to fit notch in upright (b). Drive upright into ground. Attach snare to trigger bar and use cord to sapling to keep tension. Bar disengages, lifting game in air.

This can better be seen in the picture below this one.^^^



The baited spring snare is very similar to the one pictured above and does the same thing. Baiting is used to entice prey into the trap. The only difference is the bait attached to cord or twine, and the extra stake to hold it as seen lightly driven in.

Bait support stake should be lightly driven into ground as it must fly away with noose.

This one is called a baited spring leg snare, using the same idea (spring snare) but different techniques. Ideally suited for large game.

Upper end of toggle presses agianst fork; lower end is prevented from pulling through by the bait bar between it and the fork.

A trapeze spring snare is good for small animals and can be sited to cover two game trails.

Once ensnared, the prey's struggles disengage snare arm, regardless of direction which it approaches.

Roller spring snare is also great for rabbits and other game. Cool thing about this one is it can be widened to add multiple snares instead of one. Where game trails are wider this set-up is good.

A rounded grip holds the arm. Pull switch line back at slight angle to keep it in place.

The platform trap is ideal for larger game such as deer. The platform is made of sticks or bark which rests on the bottom bar. Once the animal steps into the snare it depresses and the upright disengages.

Site in a small depression on game trail. Place snares on platforms on either side. When platform is depressed, trigger bar is released and game held by the leg.

The last snare is the stepped bait release snare. Suited to catch small carnivores and pigs in open clearings.

Two forked sticks hold down a cross-bar engaging with baited notched upright (attached to a line in tension), holding it in place and carrying snares. Retaining bars should be squared off to fit square-cut notch on the bait stick.

That's all for now. Hope you enjoy

That's a good read with a lot of good information. The only thing to add is pretty obviously. Every trap you make is a better chance of getting food. So I'd make all the snares that I could with what I had. And while you're making them it takes your mind off being hungry. Win win. Helpful pictures and video.

reply to post by Daedal


I like this one too,

Very good thread, great information.

Make sure and check you local wild life management for the rules on trapping snaring, especial if not on your own property.

Do not set traps or snares without checking them at least daily, leaving an animal in a snare for longer than needed is cruel.

Beware that domestic animals are not afraid of most traps/snares, try set them in areas that are not frequented by domestic pets.

Happy hunting

Lots of great info! Thanks, op!

S&F.