How to Trap Animals for Survival Food

In a survival situation, securing a reliable food source is paramount. While foraging for plants is an option, animal protein provides crucial calories and nutrients. Trapping animals is a highly effective, low-energy method for acquiring food, allowing you to set multiple traps and focus on other survival priorities. However, it requires knowledge, patience, and adherence to ethical considerations when not in a dire emergency.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes related to survival scenarios. In non-survival situations, trapping animals may be illegal or require specific licenses and adherence to local wildlife regulations. Always prioritize legal and ethical practices.

Understanding Survival Trapping Principles

Before setting a single trap, understanding key principles will significantly increase your success rate and efficiency.

• Location, Location, Location: This is the most critical factor. Animals follow predictable paths. Look for game trails, water sources, feeding areas, and natural funnels (like narrow passes between rocks or dense vegetation).
• Target the Right Animal: Focus on smaller game (rabbits, squirrels, birds, rodents) as they are more abundant, easier to catch, and require less processing.
• Camouflage: Traps must blend seamlessly with the environment to avoid detection by wary animals. Use natural materials from the immediate surroundings.
• Scent Control: Animals have a keen sense of smell. Minimize human scent by handling trap components with gloves or by rubbing them with local vegetation (pine needles, leaves). Avoid strong odors like soap or insect repellent.
• Baiting: While some traps are effective without bait, adding an appropriate lure can increase success. Use natural food sources for your target animal.
• Multiple Traps: Set several traps in different locations and using different designs. This increases your chances and provides a backup if one fails.
• Regular Checks: Check your traps frequently (at least twice a day – dawn and dusk). This is crucial for humane dispatch and to prevent scavengers from taking your catch.
• Legality and Ethics (Non-Survival): In normal circumstances, trapping is heavily regulated. Always check local laws and obtain necessary permits. In a genuine survival scenario, these rules are overridden by the necessity of life.

Key Components of a Trap

Most traps consist of a few fundamental elements:

• Trigger: The part that, when activated by the animal, releases the trap mechanism.
• Snare/Restraining Device: The loop or enclosure that captures the animal.
• Power Source: The tension (from a bent sapling or spring) that closes the trap.
• Support/Anchor: The stable element that holds the trap in place.
• Bait (Optional but Recommended): Attracts the animal to the trigger.

Common Survival Trap Designs

Here are several effective, primitive trap designs you can construct with minimal tools.

1. The Snare Trap (Survival Staple)

The snare trap is one of the most basic, versatile, and effective traps for small to medium-sized game. It’s relatively easy to construct and requires minimal materials.

Materials:

• Snare Wire: Preferred. Small gauge, flexible wire (brass, copper, stainless steel) from salvaged items (coat hangers, fishing line, electrical wire).
• Natural Cordage (if no wire): Strong vine, root, twisted plant fibers (yucca, nettle, inner bark). Note: Natural cordage is less effective as animals can chew through it, but it’s a viable last resort.
• Strong Stick/Sapling: For the spring pole.
• Trigger Stick/Toggle: Small, easily dislodged stick.
• Forked Stick/Stake: For the upright support.

How to Construct a Basic Spring-Pole Snare:

1. Find a Spring Pole: Locate a flexible sapling or tree branch (live is best for tension) about 1-2 inches in diameter, positioned near a game trail. Bend it over to test its spring action.
2. Create the Snare Loop:
   • If using wire: Form a loop with a slipknot that tightens as pulled. The loop size should match your target animal (e.g., 4-6 inches for rabbit/squirrel, larger for fox/coyote).
   • If using cordage: Tie a strong loop with a slipknot.
3. Set Up the Upright Support: Drive a sturdy forked stick into the ground directly in the path of the spring pole’s tension, forming an upright support.
4. Fashion the Trigger Mechanism (Figure-4 or Toggle):
   • Figure-4 Trigger (more complex but secure): Consists of three notched sticks that interlock to hold the spring pole down and release when the bait or snare is disturbed.
   • Simple Toggle Trigger: Tie one end of your snare line to a short, strong toggle stick. Tie the other end to the bent spring pole. The toggle rests against an upright stake or branch, holding the spring pole down.
5. Position the Snare Loop: Carefully place the snare loop on the game trail, about 2-3 inches off the ground for rabbits/squirrels, ensuring it’s directly in the animal’s path. Camouflage it with leaves or dirt.
6. Test the Trap: Gently activate the trigger to ensure it functions smoothly and quickly.
7. Baiting (Optional for Snares): While snares work on trails, a bait might draw curious animals. Place bait beyond the snare loop, ensuring the animal must pass through the loop to reach it.

2. The Deadfall Trap

Deadfall traps use a heavy weight (log, rock) dropped onto an animal, crushing it instantly. They are excellent for small-to-medium ground-dwelling animals.

Types of Deadfalls:

• Figure-4 Deadfall: Uses a precisely cut and notched Figure-4 trigger system.
• Paiute Deadfall: A more sensitive and arguably safer (for the setter) design using a vertical pin and horizontal stick.

Materials (for Paiute Deadfall, highly recommended):

• Heavy Weight: A large, flat rock or log (heavy enough to crush the target).
• Three Sticks for Trigger:
  • Upright Post: Sturdy, straight stick.
  • Horizontal Bar: Longer stick that supports the weight.
  • Bait Stick/Vertical Pin: Short, slender stick with a notched end.

How to Construct a Paiute Deadfall:

1. Select Weight: Choose a flat, heavy rock or log.
2. Find a Stable Resting Place: Elevate one end of the weight on a small rock or stable log.
3. Prepare the Upright Post: Cut a sturdy stick (about 6-8 inches long) with a flat top and a V-notch cut into one side, roughly an inch from the top.
4. Prepare the Horizontal Bar: Cut a longer stick (length depends on the weight) with a pointed end on one side and a corresponding notch on the other to fit the upright post’s notch.
5. Prepare the Bait Stick/Vertical Pin: Cut a short, slender stick (about 3-4 inches) with a sharp point on one end (for bait) and a small notch or flat spot on the other to rest against the horizontal bar.
6. Set the Trap:
   • Place the heavy weight on the ground, elevated on one side.
   • Prop up the raised end of the weight using the upright post. The V-notch of the upright post should face inwards.
   • Carefully insert the horizontal bar. Its notched end rests in the V-notch of the upright post, and its pointed end supports the weight.
   • Now for the sensitive part: Place the vertical pin (bait stick). Its notched end rests against the horizontal bar (near the upright post), holding the horizontal bar in place. Its pointed end will be baited.
7. Bait It: Skewer a piece of bait (nut, seed, berry, grubs) onto the pointed end of the vertical pin.
8. Test and Camouflage: Gently touch the bait stick to ensure it collapses easily. Camouflage the trap, leaving only the baited end exposed.

3. The Pitfall Trap

Pitfall traps are simple but effective for catching ground-dwelling animals (especially small rodents, insects, or even larger animals if dug sufficiently large and deep).

Materials:

• Digging Tool: Stick, sharpened rock, or hands.
• Cover Material: Leaves, twigs, grass.
• Bait (Optional):

How to Construct a Pitfall Trap:

1. Choose Location: Find a game trail or area with animal droppings.
2. Dig the Pit: Dig a hole large enough and deep enough for your target animal to fall into and not escape. For small rodents, a bucket-sized hole works. For larger animals, it needs to be deeper with undercut edges.
3. Line the Pit (Optional but Recommended): If the soil is loose, line the sides with smooth rocks, bark, or mud to prevent the animal from climbing out.
4. Camouflage the Opening: Lightly cover the opening of the pit with a thin layer of sticks, leaves, and grass that will collapse under an animal’s weight.
5. Bait (Optional): Place bait (scraps of food, nuts, seeds) in the bottom of the pit or on the camouflaged cover to lure animals.
6. Fences/Guiding Funnels: Create small fences or walls of sticks and brush leading to the pitfall trap. This “funnels” animals directly into the trap opening.

Baiting Strategies

Good bait is crucial for many traps.

• Herbivores (Rabbits, Squirrels): Nuts, seeds, berries, tender green shoots, fruit.
• Omnivores (Raccoons, Opossums): Fish scraps, corn, sweet fruits, carrion.
• Birds: Grains, seeds, shiny objects (for curious birds).
• Insects/Grubs: Rotting wood, decaying fruit.

Tips for Baiting:

• Use bait that is native to the area.
• Position bait to force the animal onto the trigger.
• Refresh bait regularly as it loses scent or spoils.
• Consider using “scent trails” (e.g., rubbing crushed berries) leading to the trap.

Processing Your Catch

Once you have successfully trapped an animal, you must process it quickly and humanely.

1. Humane Dispatch:
   • Small Game (Rabbit, Squirrel): A swift, firm blow to the back of the head or neck will dispatch the animal quickly.
   • Snared Animal: Hold the snare line and deliver a quick blow.
   • Larger Animals: Never approach a trapped larger animal without extreme caution.
2. Bleeding: If possible, bleed the animal by making a cut to a major artery (e.g., in the neck) to ensure better meat quality and safety.
3. Skinning/Plucking:
   • Fur-bearing animals: Make an incision from the sternum to the tail, then carefully peel the skin. Cut around the legs and head.
   • Birds: Pluck feathers or skin them.
4. Evisceration (Gutting):
   • Make an incision from the sternum to the pelvis.
   • Carefully remove all internal organs. Identify and remove any scent glands.
   • Keep the liver and heart, as they are nutrient-dense.
   • Inspect for any signs of disease (unusual spots, lumps, strong odors). If in doubt, discard.
5. Cooking: Always cook wild game thoroughly to kill parasites and bacteria. Boiling, roasting, or grilling are effective methods.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

• Practice Before Emergency: Build and test traps in a non-survival setting (without live animals) to understand their mechanics and improve your skills.
• Trap Sensitivity: Ensure your traps are sensitive enough to trigger easily but not so sensitive that they are set off by wind or small insects.
• Awareness of Your Surroundings: Be mindful of other people or domestic animals if you are practicing or in a situation where they might encounter your traps.
• Local Regulations: Reiterate that in non-survival scenarios, adhere strictly to all local, state, and national hunting and trapping laws. These regulations are in place for conservation and safety.
• Respect the Animal: Even in survival, aim for a quick, humane dispatch.

Mastering animal trapping for survival food is a valuable skill that provides a significant advantage in challenging situations. By understanding the principles, learning common trap designs, and practicing safely, you can confidently acquire necessary protein when it matters most.