How to Build Snares & Deadfalls Step-by-Step

In a true survival situation, calories are currency. While hunting with a bow or rifle requires you to be present, active, and burning energy, a trap works for you while you sleep. It is the ultimate force multiplier for the survivalist.

This guide will teach you how to set up two of the most effective primitive traps: the Simple Snare and the Figure-4 Deadfall. We will cover the materials you need, the best baits to use, and the "Golden Rules" that separate successful trappers from empty-handed ones.

⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING: Primitive trapping laws vary strictly by region. In many areas, these traps are illegal to use unless you are in a life-or-death survival situation. Always check your local hunting and trapping regulations. Gettiz Outdoors advocates for responsible, legal bushcraft practices.

The 3 Golden Rules of Trapping

Before you cut a single stick, you must understand why most beginners fail. It usually comes down to three things.

1. Location & "Funneling"

You cannot catch what isn't there. Do not set a trap in a random open space. Look for game trails (beaten paths in the grass), scat, or burrows.

• Pro Tip: Use the Funneling Technique. Use sticks, rocks, and debris to build a small fence that narrows the path, forcing the animal to walk directly through your trap to get past.

2. Scent Control is Critical

Animals have a sense of smell hundreds of times stronger than yours. If your trap smells like soap, cologne, or campfire smoke, they will avoid it.

• The Fix: Rub your hands and your trap materials with local dirt, mud, or pine needles before setting up. Avoid handling the trap once it is set.

3. Conservation of Energy

The calories you spend building the trap must be fewer than the calories the animal provides. Do not spend 4 hours chopping wood to catch a mouse. Simple, efficient traps are best.

Trap #1: The Simple Wire Snare

Best for: Rabbit, Hare, Squirrel, Woodchuck.

Difficulty: Beginner

The snare is the bread and butter of survival trapping. It is lightweight to carry and easy to deploy.

Materials Needed:

• 2 feet of brass snare wire (20-24 gauge) or strong braided fishing line.
• A sturdy anchor (a tree, a deep stake, or a heavy log).
• Small twigs for support.

Step-by-Step Setup:

1. Create the Loop: Make a loop in one end of the wire about the size of your fist (approx. 4 inches diameter for rabbits). Twist the end around the main wire 4-5 times to secure it.
2. Anchor It: Tie the other end of the wire securely to a nearby sapling or a stake driven deep into the ground.
3. Position the Loop: The loop needs to hang directly in the center of the game trail
• Height: Set the bottom of the loop roughly 2-3 inches off the ground (about four fingers width). This ensures the animal's head goes in, not its feet.
4. Support It: Use small twigs or tall grass to lightly prop the wire loop up so it stays open and vertical.
5. Funnel: Place a few dead branches on either side of the trail to guide the animal into the loop.

Trap #2: The Figure-4 Deadfall

Best for: Mice, Rats, Chipmunks, Squirrels.

Difficulty: Intermediate

The Figure-4 is a "crush trap" that uses a heavy rock or log. It requires no rope or wire—just three sticks and a knife.

Materials Needed:

• The Upright Stick: Pointed at the top, chisel-edged at the bottom.
• The Diagonal Stick: Notched at both ends.
• The Bait Stick (Trigger): Notched in the middle and pointed at one end for bait.
• The Deadfall: A heavy flat rock (at least 3x the weight of the animal).

Step-by-Step Setup:

1. Carve the Bait Stick: Cut a notch near one end of the horizontal stick. This is where the upright will rest. Sharpen the other end to hold the bait.
2. Carve the Upright: Whittle the top of your vertical stick into a flat screwdriver shape.
3. Carve the Diagonal: Cut a notch at the top (to hold the rock) and a notch at the bottom (to lock onto the upright).
4. Assemble the "4":
• Place the Upright vertically on the ground (or a small flat stone to prevent sinking).
• Balance the Diagonal stick on top of the Upright.
• Lock the Bait Stick horizontally between the bottom of the Diagonal and the side of the Upright.
• The tension of the heavy rock resting on the Diagonal holds the whole "4" shape together.
5. The Trigger: When the animal touches the bait stick, the balance is disturbed, the sticks fly apart, and the rock falls instantly.

Best Bait for Survival Traps

A trap is only as good as the lure. Use this quick reference guide to choose the right bait for your target.

Animal	Best Natural Bait	"Human Food" Bait
Rabbit	Dandelion greens, clover, bark (in winter)	Apple slices, carrots
Squirrel	Acorns, walnuts, pine cones	Peanut butter (King of baits)
Raccoon	Crawfish, fish guts, berries, corn	Marshmallows, foil (shiny objects)
Mouse/Rat	Grass seeds, grains	Peanut butter, chocolate
Carnivores	Fish heads, bird guts	Smoked jerky, cooked bacon

Final Thoughts: The Responsibility of the Trapper

Trapping is a skill that connects us to our ancestors, but it demands respect.

• Check Traps Daily: If you set a trap, you must check it at least once every 24 hours (preferably at dawn). Leaving an animal to suffer is unethical and wasteful.

Practice with "Safe" Triggers: You can practice building these traps in your backyard without arming them. Set them up to see if they hold together, but do not leave them active where neighborhood pets could get hurt.

Mastering these skills takes practice. Grab some sticks, head to the woods, and start building.

Stay sharp, stay wild.