SVA 2

Survival Advanced

Traps and Snares

CUO Tonya GentryBrown Mar 2011

Image taken from: weaponscombat.com

Objectives
SVA 2 Traps and Snares a.Describe the assembly of the following traps and snares: 1. Simple latch/pin and trigger 2. Platform 3. Pit 4. Figure 4 and Fish

Introduction
Need food to maintain strength Best type of food is meat Having the ability to catch means living off land Anything is a source of food

Successful Hunting and Trapping

Set up base camp
Study made of conditions and habits.

Looking for good sites

Animals usually follow defined trails Some small animals use same toilet stops (but need to ensure you do not disturb area) Study eating habits ( usually regular times of the day)

Common Animal Tracks

Emergency Survival
Your survival is your only priority Make yourself think and act like a predator Use camouflage and concealment skills
Move carefully Use wind to your advantage Disguise your human scent

Construction Materials
Can be made from all natural materials Good habit to keep a few things in your survival kit
Wire noose Fish hooks

Selecting Timber
Green and springy (provides flexibility and wont snap easily)

Simple Rules for Traps and Snares

Human/foreign scents
Handle trap as little as possible (wear gloves) Use nearby timber Camp fire smoke and/or animal dung will disguise human scent

Disturbing the Environment

Prep away from trap site Do not tread on trail or dung Cover any sign youve been there

 Camouflage
Blend traps into surroundings Cover any freshly cut ends of saplings ( w/ mud or droppings)

Strength
Trapped animal will be fighting no matter how small Use all of its energy Traps need to be stronger than the animal intended (no second chance if it escapes)

Types
Most traps will kill animal quickly and as humanely as possible (dont be mislead by the trap name) Some devices may seem savage but your survival is important Generally fall into 4 categories
Strangle (loops and snares) Mangle (deadfall) Tangle (net) Hold (pit or cage)

Baiting Traps
Test bait an area
Select varied types of bait Set them on low stakes About 3 feet apart Leave overnight (check in morning )

Investigation of stomach contents will also inform you of eating habits

Suggested Baits
Root or insects (earth digging) Flesh (carnivorous) Insects, Feed or Fruit (birds or tree feeding) Herbage (grazing) Worms, Grubs or Insects (fish) Use very small portions of your emergency rations chocolate is strange and attracts game

Simple Latch
Most commonly used w/ twitch up snare Consist of 2 sticks (notched at 1 end) 1 stick anchored to ground, other fixed on noose Notch ends fit as illustrated

Pin and Trigger Mechanism

Consists of 3 small hardwood sticks 2 pins driven into trunk (horizontal to ground) Trigger stick tied to mangle or snare type trap fits under 2 pins Trigger held against 2 pins until released by trip wire

Latch/Pin and Trigger

Triggering device Usually consist of noose, spring and trip wire/stick Baited or unbaited Examples:
Simple Snare Twitch-up Snares Baited toggle release snare Unbaited spring snare Baited double spring snare

Simple Snare
Loop dragged over game trail, tied to strong shrub (or tie to drag pole) Strangles game

Twitch-up Snares
Using natural springiness of sapling (lift catch off ground away from predators) Sapling looped, bent and fixed release mechanism (simple latch is effective) 3 types
w/ simple latch release mechanism w/ pin and trigger mechanism Hanging snare

Simple Latch Release

Pin and Trigger

Hanging Snare

Baited Toggle Release Snare

Baited stick wedged against bottom of toggle Top of toggle attached by line to springy sapling (under tension) and hooked under retaining bar When bait stick is moved, toggle releases and flies up taking snare with it.

Unbaited Spring Snare

Activated by animal struggle Consists of 2 uprights w/ rounded notches holding a noose stick Tensioned line angled away from noose stick

Baited Double Spring Snare

Uses stiff wire nooses Normally sited along a game trail (trap small carnivores or pigs) 2 saplings notched to fit Bait bar latched to one of them Bait is taken, saplings spring apart, animal suspended between

Platform Trap
Consists of platform made from sticks or bark Triggering device similar to the double spring snare Best placed in depression in ground (either game trail or feeding area) Designed to catch animal by the leg

Pit Trap
Hole in ground Usually dug across game trail Covered w/ natural material Animal falls in and cant get out Bottom can be staked (impaled and killed) Or staked around side to trap in WARNING: all pits traps should be marked in some way. They work on

OR

Figure 4 Deadfall
Triggering device resembling number 4 Consists of bait stick Notched at right angle into an upright Locking bar (45 degree angle) support deadfall Cage may be substituted (but must be heavy enough to prevent escape)

Fish Trap
Drum or Basket
Useful in fresh or salt water

Damming & Netting

Small flowing river and

Conclusion
You should now be able to identify and describe the assembly of common traps and snares

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