When it comes to survival situations, one of the most important skills you can have is the ability to catch your own food. While hunting and fishing are great options, they require a lot of time and energy. That’s where traps come in.
Importance of knowing how to make a snare trap in survival situations
Knowing how to make a snare trap in survival situations can mean the difference between life and death. With a snare trap, you can capture small game without expending a lot of energy or risking injury.
This means that you can conserve your resources and focus on other important tasks like finding shelter, building a fire, and gathering water.
Components of a Snare Trap
Before we dive into building a snare trap, let’s go over the different components that make up a snare trap.
The Noose
The noose is the part of the trap that actually captures the animal. It’s made from a strong, flexible material like braided steel cable. The size of the noose will depend on the size of the animal you’re trying to catch.
The 2 Part Trigger
The trigger is what sets the trap off when an animal steps on it. The 2 part trigger is a common design that consists of a horizontal stick and a vertical stick. When an animal bumps into the horizontal stick, it releases the vertical stick, which pulls on the noose and captures the animal.
The Leader Line
The leader line is the line that connects the noose to the trigger. When an animal steps on the trigger, it pulls on the leader line, which tightens the noose and captures the animal.
The Engine
The engine is the part of the trap that provides the force needed to capture the animal. This can be a spring pole, a weight, or another mechanism that pulls on the noose.
Why the Trigger Spring Snare is the Best Option
Out of all the different types of snare traps, the trigger spring snare is the best option for survival situations. Here’s why:
Advantages of the Trigger Spring Snare
- It’s easy to set up and doesn’t require a lot of materials
- It’s versatile and can be used to catch a variety of animals
- It’s effective at capturing animals without injuring them
Comparison with other snare designs
Other snare designs like the fixed snare and rolling snare are also effective, but they require more materials and are more difficult to set up. They may also be less effective at capturing certain types of animals.
Building a Survival Snare
Now that we’ve gone over the components of a snare trap and why the trigger spring snare is the best option, let’s go over how to build a survival snare.
Steps to building a Trigger Spring Snare
- Find a good location for your trap. Look for signs of animal activity like tracks, droppings, and chewed vegetation.
- Find a sturdy sapling or branch to use as your spring pole. Cut it down if necessary and remove any branches or twigs.
- Attach your leader line to the noose and tie the other end to the vertical stick of your trigger.
- Attach your engine (in this case, your spring pole) to the horizontal stick of your trigger.
- Bait your trap with something that will attract the animal you’re trying to catch.
Materials needed for building a Trigger Spring Snare
- Braided steel cable for the noose
- A small sapling or branch for the spring pole
- A pencil-sized stick for the vertical part of the trigger
- A thicker stick for the horizontal part of the trigger
- Bait
Tips for Using a Snare Trap
Now that you know how to build a snare trap, here are some tips for using it effectively:
Placement of the snare trap
Place your trap in an area with plenty of animal activity. Look for trails, runs, and other signs of movement. Make sure the trap is well camouflaged so it doesn’t scare away potential prey.
Checking the trap regularly
Check your trap regularly to see if you’ve caught anything. If you have, dispatch the animal quickly and humanely. If you haven’t, re-bait the trap and try again.
Ethical considerations when using a snare trap
Using a snare trap is a powerful skill, but it also comes with ethical considerations. Be sure to only use your snare trap in survival situations and be mindful of the impact your actions have on the environment and animal populations. Always dispatch captured animals quickly and humanely, and utilize as much of the animal as possible to avoid waste.
What material is used for snare traps?
Snare traps are typically made from materials like copper, brass, and steel wire, with wire being the most effective choice due to its flexibility and strength.
What gauge wire for snare traps?
For snare traps, 22-gauge brass wire is commonly used by small game hunters, as it provides the right balance of strength and flexibility.
How do you make a snare trap for squirrels?
To make a snare trap for squirrels, create wire snare loops from 2-foot lengths of 22-gauge or 24-gauge wire, make the nooses just less than 3 inches in diameter, and attach them to a pole placed near a squirrel’s path.
How do you make a primitive trap?
To make a primitive trap, you can use basic designs like snares or deadfalls, which involve creating a slipknot loop with cordage or wire and setting it up in an animal’s movement path, or constructing a trigger mechanism that releases a heavy object onto the animal when triggered.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to make a snare trap can be a life-saving skill in survival situations. By understanding the components of a snare trap, the benefits of a trigger spring snare, and how to build and use one effectively, you’ll be better prepared to provide yourself with food when faced with a survival scenario. Remember to always practice ethical trapping and use your skills responsibly.