When you need to secure high-protein, high-fat food in a survival situation, the deadfall trap is your most efficient hunting tool. Unlike snares, a properly set deadfall crushes the animal instantly, eliminating the need for frequent checking and reducing the chance of a kill being scavenged.
The Figure 4 Deadfall is the most common and critical deadfall to master. Its entire mechanism relies on just three simple, carved sticks held together by friction and balance. Master these three sticks, and you’ve mastered the art of survival trapping.
What You Need: Components and Materials
The trap requires a heavy weight and three sticks cut from dry, seasoned hardwood or softwood. Use wood that is strong enough to resist the immense force of the deadfall.
Component | Description | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Deadfall Weight | A heavy, flat rock, large piece of concrete, or a heavy log that is large enough to kill the target animal instantly. | |
Bait Stick (T-Piece) | The horizontal piece where the bait is tied. It has a sharp, angled notch. | Chopstick thickness; |
Lever Stick (Diagonal) | The long, angled piece that transfers the weight from the deadfall to the trigger. | Pencil thickness; |
Upright Stick (Vertical) | The primary support piece. It rests on the ground and holds the entire trap's weight. | Pencil thickness; |
Step 1: Carve the Three Sticks
Precision carving is the only thing holding the deadfall up. Use a sharp knife to make clean, straight cuts.
A. The Upright Stick (The Post)
- Bottom: Carve one end to a smooth, flat surface that sits flush on the ground.
- Top: Carve a V-shaped notch into the top that is slightly angled away from the center of the trap. This notch must catch the Lever Stick.
B. The Lever Stick (The Diagonal)
- Top: Carve a large, deep V-notch that will fit snugly under the edge of the deadfall weight.
- Bottom: Carve a sharp, angled point that engages the V-notch on the Upright Stick. This connection must be tight and require slight force to fit together.
C. The Bait Stick (The Trigger)
- Top (The Latch): Carve a small, shallow notch that will rest delicately against the side of the Lever Stick. This is the most sensitive part.
- Bottom (The Bait End): Carve a sharp, flat point. This entire piece will stand up vertically, held in place by the tension of the two other sticks. Tie your bait (nuts, grubs, dried meat) to this end.
Step 2: Assemble the Mechanism
This is where the Figure 4 name comes from—the sticks, when assembled, resemble the numeral '4'.
- Place the Weight: Position your deadfall weight over the intended kill zone, propping it up temporarily with a piece of wood.
- Place the Upright Stick: Stand the Upright Stick firmly on the ground, centered under the weight.
- Engage the Lever: Take the Lever Stick and place its top V-notch under the edge of the deadfall weight. Simultaneously, seat the Lever Stick’s bottom angled point into the V-notch on the Upright Stick. The deadfall's weight should now press down, securing this connection.
- Transfer the Weight: Slowly and carefully slide out the temporary prop. The entire weight of the deadfall is now resting on the two-stick assembly. The structure should be solid and stable at this point.
Step 3: Set the Trigger and Bait
The final step is to balance the delicate trigger, which holds the entire system in place.
- Introduce the Bait Stick: Hold the Lever Stick (the diagonal one) steady with one hand. Take the Bait Stick and rest its shallow top notch lightly against the side of the Lever Stick.
- Adjust the Tension: Gently adjust the angle of the Lever Stick until its weight is just barely held by the Bait Stick. The Bait Stick should now be standing almost vertically, holding the lever out of the way.
- Final Test: Gently blow on the bait end of the Bait Stick. If the stick is set correctly, the smallest disturbance will cause the entire structure to collapse and drop the weight.
Pro-Tips for Maximizing Your Catch
- Location: Place the deadfall directly over a known animal trail or at the mouth of a burrow. If using bait, make sure the kill zone is slightly sunken or clearly marked.
- De-Scenting: Animals have an incredible sense of smell. Rub the carved wooden pieces and the deadfall weight with dirt, pine needles, or local vegetation to mask your human scent.
- Camouflage: Once set, cover the sides and top of the deadfall with leaves and sticks to make it look like a natural part of the landscape. However, never put anything underneath the crushing weight that could cushion the impact.
- Check Frequently: While designed to kill instantly, all traps must be checked at least once in the early morning and once in the late evening to ensure a quick kill and prevent decay or scavenging.
If you can carve the three pieces of the Figure 4 correctly, you have the foundational skill to build almost any friction or leverage-based trap in the wild. Do you want to try comparing this to the Paiute deadfall system?