Trapping

[Legionnaire]

Watch your fingers! I haven't seen much information on trapping/deadfall traps so we can start here. Attached is a quick sketch of the figure 4 deadfall I usually make. It is fairly simple, quick to set up and you don't need any cordage. The weight of your deadfall object (rock, log, etc.) rest atop stick 2 which is atop and pivoting on stick 1. Stick 2 attaches to stick 3 exerting a pulling force away from the deadfall. Stick 3 is kept in place by a square notch resting on the squared away area of stick 1, this is your trigger mechanism. The easier stick 3 can slide away from stick 1 the more sensitive and therefore faster your trap. Stick 3 is your bait stick as well with the bait on the end under the deadfall. Be sure to put a hard object below your trap (another rock, log, etc.) because you will be more likely to just injure or lose an animal if it is just on dirt. Be sure stick 1 is placed far enough away from the deadfall object's landing area so it doesn't stop the deadfall from falling all the way down. Try this one at home, and often, it can be tricky to line up the notches the first time you do this. I'll let you great members add more types of traps that you have used/heard of and if you miss any I'll try my best to fill in with the ones I know. Enjoy.

[Pioneer]

Good idea! I have 200 steel traps that are legal to own, but not legal to use so I keep them in storage for the just in case. I think under the circumstances of a SHTF scenario, using steel traps for food will become a possible survival method. I just picked up a large bear trap about 2 months ago now as an antique so I cleaned it and tossed it in storage as well.

I choose steel traps because honestly, I'm not that proficient at using the kind in the drawing you posted. I have been able to make one, and it worked in theory but the one I made was untested to actually catch something. Back when I was in my youth, I used to set out the 200 steel traps when they were legal to use and I could tell story after story about my experiences with them. To spare everyone from reading too much, I'll just say this, one of my biggest critters I caught in the traps was a 3 1/2 foot tall owl. The friend who was with me on that particular morning asked me what I was going to do, I just looked at him without understanding what kind of question that was and eased down to my knees and released the owl.

[Legionnaire]

Peg Snare Version 1

Well next up I'll post a peg snare: version one. Personally I'm not a big fan of snares for emergencies because you have to use some cordage. Sure you should be able to make it or bring it, but it's a resource used therefore you can only create a finite number of these traps. Anyone who has used traps knows you need to make a bunch if you want to catch anything. I recommend making only a few that need cordage and trying to deadfall the remainder with figure 4 and friction traps. Another note for traps, try not to handle them too much because your scent will rub off and animals will avoid them.

Now to the trap. As with all traps you need to find a trail or run. Place sticks into the ground creating a funnel, try to find a place where the trail bottlenecks naturally then supplement with your "fence." At the narrow end of the funnel is where your loop will be, prop it upright so an animal will walk head first into the loop. All you need is a plain slipknot here. The pegs should be off to the side, but not too far. Cut matching notches in both pegs, make sure its a pretty good fit. Secure the longer peg into the ground. Secure the end of your cordage to either a hanging log, heavy rock, bent sapling/branch or any other counterweight comparable to the prey. Also make sure your loop is smaller than your prey's shoulder's but bigger than it's head. Wrap your cordage around the smaller peg and let it rest in the notch of the larger peg. Then prop your loop in your funnel. You will not need bait for this trap. Later I can put some bait snares on here if no one gets to it first. Please feel free to add any types of traps you know, I'm sure most of you have at least heard of one you could add.

P.S. The counterweight, loop size and height all correspond to the prey you are after. Enjoy.