CONSTRUCTING TRAPS AND SNARES

Traps and snares crush, choke, hang, or entangle the prey. Most of the traps will actually do two or more of these things. Usually power is provided to the trap by a simple mechanism. This will be the struggling of the victim, a bent sapling's tension or the force of gravity. When the trap is triggered, it will catch or kill the animal. When constructing the trap you need to focus on 3 areas:

  1. How will the trap affect the prey? - will the prey be entangled or crushed etc? Will it hold the prey? You need to be sure that the effect will be sufficient for you to safely retrieve the prey from the trap.
  2. Where does the power come from? - You need to be sure that the force will be sufficient to kill or entangle the prey so that it does not break loose.
  3. Which trigger mechanisms will be most efficient? - this can be usually answered when you decide on the type of the trap. The trigger must be reliable. You do not want to lose bait, because of an ineffective trigger.

Simple Snare

Simple snare

A simple snare is just an ordinary noose, placed over a den hole or a trail. It is attached to something firm, like a tree, big rock or simply a firmly planted stake. If you are using cordage for the noose, you will have to use something to keep it placed upright on the trail. You can use blades of grass or small twigs, but nothing too strong - the animal must easily break it, otherwise it will back out of the noose. Actually, filaments from spider webs can be perfect for holding nooses open.

You need to adjust the size of the noose, so that it will not pass freely over the animal's head. When the animal gets caught and continues to move, its stuggling tightens the noose around its neck - the more the animal struggles, the tighter the noose gets. Yet, this type of snare usually does not kill the animal.

It is best to use wire for a simple snare. Cordage may loosen enough to slip off the animal's neck.

Drag Noose

Simple snare

If you want to place a trap on an animal run, it is best to use a drag noose. Place forked sticks on either side of the run. Across them you should lay a sturdy crossmember, to which the noose will be tied. Tie the noose so that it hangs at the height above the animal's head (prey should not be able to step into the noose with a foot). A caught animal will pull, tightening the noose around it's neck. Finally, the animal will pull the crossmember of the forked sticks. Dragged behind the running animal, it will get entangled in the surounding vegetation, thus entrapping the animal. There are two reasons for not planting the crossmember firmly to the forked sticks.

  • First of all, the forked sticks do not have to be strong and thick - only strong enough to hold the crossmember. An animal may be reluctant to walk inbetween two thick poles, especially if those were not there before.
  • In this option, the forked sticks do not have to be dug into the ground too deep. Remember that the scent of fleshly dug ground can alert the prey. You can use thin sticks and simply push them into the ground a little bit, or even place the crossmember on the vegetation around the run.
You should however bear in mind that if there is not enough vegetation for the crossmember to be entangled, it should be attached firmly, or you should choose the simple snare method with funnelling.

Squirrel Pole

twich-up snare

In some parts of the world squirrels are very common. They may be a good food source, as they are quite easy to catch and contain a lot of protein. Remember though that you should always cook or roast squirrels as they may carry parasites.

To catch a squirrel, place a long pole against a tree in an area showing a lot of squirrel activity. Place wire nooses along the top and sides of the pole. Cord may not be suitable - it will not keep the noose open. It is best to place several nooses, so that a squirrel will have to pass through one or even more of them. They should however be at least 45 centimetres from the top and bottom of the pole to prevent the squirrel from getting its feet on a solid surface - if it happens, the squirrel will chew through the wire. Notice also in the picture that the anchoring of the noose always has to be below the pole. The squirrel that gets caught will stuggle, fall of the pole and get strangled. Squirrels are curious animals. After a period of caution, they will try to go up and down the pole. One pole can easily catch you several squirrels. If you place multiple poles, you can significantly increase your catch.

Noosing Wand

twich-up snare

A noosing wand, also called a noose stick is more a weapon than a trap as it requires an active involvement of the hunter in the process. Noosing wand is a useful tool for capturing small mammals and roosting birds. It is build of a long pole - as long as you can effectively handle - with a slip noose of wire or stiff cordage at one end.

There are two hunting methods with the noosing wand:

  1. You can slip the noose wand over the neck of the animal and pull it tight - this method usually works good with roosting birds.
  2. Or you can place the noose over a den hole and hide near by with the other end of the stick in your hands. Then you simply wait for the animal to emerge from the den. When it does, you tighten the noose and capture the animal.

Hunting with a noosing wand requires patience and you should also remember to carry with you a club, knife or other weapon to kill the animal once it is captured.

Twitch-up traps and snares

A twitch-up is a supple sapling which, when bent over and secured with a triggering device, will provide power to a variety of snares. Select a hardwood sapling along the trail. To make the twitch-up work faster and with more force you should remove all the branches and foliage.

Twitch-up snare

twich-up snare

To construct a twitch-up snare, you need two forked sticks, each with one short and one long leg. The first step to construct the snare will be to bend the twitch-up and mark the trail below it. That will be the point where you shoul drive the long leg of one of the forked sticks into the ground. Ensure that the stick holds firmly and that the short leg of this stick is parallel to the ground. Tie the noose to the twitch-up, so that when the twich-up is bent, the noose can be set up along the animal run. Tie the long leg of the remaining forked stick to a piece of cordage secured to the twitch-up. Cut the short leg so that it catches on the short leg of the forked stick planted in the ground. Bend the twitch-up and engage short legs of the sticks. Make sure that they disengage easy enough for the animal to be able to trigger the trap. Place the noose over the trail. When the animal catches its head in the noose, it will pull the forked sticks apart and the twitch-up will spring up and hang the prey.

It is best to avoid green sticks when preparing the trigger as the sap that oozes out could glue them together.