Setting Traps and Snares for Small Game

Why Trapping Matters

In survival situations, hunting with weapons may not be realistic. Ammunition runs out, bows take practice, and chasing animals burns more calories than you gain. Traps and snares solve this problem by working for you while you focus on shelter, fire, or water. They require patience and skill, but once set, they can provide steady food with minimal energy.

Understanding Animal Behavior

To trap effectively, you must first study the animals around you. Look for tracks, droppings, gnawed plants, or narrow paths in grass that reveal their routines. Small game such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds often move along the same trails every day. Placing snares on these natural highways greatly increases your success rate.

The Simple Snare Loop

One of the easiest traps is a basic snare made with a cord loop. Use wire, paracord strands, shoelaces, or even plant fibers twisted into string. Form a small loop and secure it to a bent stick or stake in the ground. Place the loop directly in an animal trail at head height. When the animal passes through, the loop tightens around its neck or leg, holding it in place.

Spring Pole Traps

For stronger animals or more secure holds, the spring pole snare works well. Find a flexible sapling and bend it toward the ground. Attach your snare loop to the sapling with a trigger mechanism made from notched sticks. When the animal steps into the loop, the trigger releases, and the sapling snaps upward, lifting the animal off the ground. This method prevents escape and can also keep the catch away from other predators.

Deadfall Traps

A deadfall trap uses a heavy object, such as a rock or log, balanced on a trigger. When an animal disturbs the bait, the trigger collapses, and the weight falls on the target. The figure-four deadfall is a classic design, using three sticks cut and notched into shape. This trap is best for small rodents and should only be used with extreme caution to avoid injury when setting.

Bird Traps and Snares

Birds can be caught with simple noose traps placed on branches where they perch. By tying several small loops of cord to a pole and laying it across a feeding area, you increase your chances of catching one. Ground-feeding birds can also be lured into box traps propped up with a stick tied to a cord. A tug on the cord collapses the trap, enclosing the bird.

Baiting for Success

Not all traps need bait, especially if set on well-traveled paths. However, bait increases your chances. Apples, nuts, seeds, or even shiny objects can attract animals. Insects, berries, or scraps from previous meals can also work. The key is to use what is natural to the environment so the animals do not become suspicious.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

Setting traps requires care. Improvised snares can injure you if handled carelessly, and deadfall traps can crush your hand if triggered accidentally. Always set traps with caution and test triggers gently. Ethically, remember that trapping is for survival, not sport. Take only what you need and respect the life you are taking.

Maximizing Your Efforts

Do not rely on a single trap. Build several and spread them out across different areas to increase your odds. Check them regularly, as leaving an animal trapped too long risks losing it to predators or spoilage. Carrying multiple small cord loops or wire pieces in your kit allows you to set up a trapping line quickly if the need arises.

Turning Knowledge Into Food

Trapping is not about luck, it is about preparation, observation, and patience. A properly placed snare or deadfall can provide vital protein without wasting precious energy. Even if you only succeed occasionally, each catch can extend your survival significantly. With practice, the forest becomes a silent partner, providing food while you focus on staying alive.