If you find yourself lost in the wilderness without food, knowing how to craft a snare trap could be a lifesaver. Imagine being on a hiking expedition, and as the day progresses, you realize you’re lost, the weather is getting colder, and your food supply is dwindling. Having a survival snare kit can turn the tide, providing you with the potential for dinner.
This scenario is more common than you might think. Every year, thousands of people get lost in the wilderness, facing the risk of starvation. With the right skills and tools, you can increase your chances of survival. Let’s explore the steps to construct a snare and equip yourself with a valuable survival skill.
Introduction to Snaring
Crafting a snare is a relatively simple yet crucial survival skill. While trapping snares are commonly used in the trapping industry with minimal fur damage, knowing how to make survival snares is essential in case you find yourself lost in the wild or during a serious survival scenario.
Understanding how to craft a snare involves mastering a few advanced techniques. In this guide, we’ll focus on creating a rabbit snare for survival, but similar steps can be applied to make snares for coyotes, hogs, and other animals.
Materials for Crafting Snares
Survival and trapping snares can be made from various wire materials and even rope. While cable snares are the most common, they can be crafted from copper wire, rope, or flexible cordage made from certain types of vegetation. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll focus on crafting a cable survival snare.
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Ready-Made Snares
Survival snares come in different types and sizes of cable, and understanding their differences helps you choose the right one. Cables vary in diameter and strand configurations. The cable we’ll use in this guide comes in varying diameters, with the demonstration using 1/16 and 3/32 galvanized aircraft cable, specifically the 1/16 7×7.
Before delving into the crafting process, let’s examine the weight ratings for each cable size, providing insights into their strength and suitability for different animals. This information is crucial when deciding which cable to use based on your target animal.
a. 3/64 7×7 cable: Maximum break strength – 270 lbs
b. 3/64 1×19 cable: Maximum break strength – 375 lbs
c. 1/16 7×7 cable: Maximum break strength – 480 lbs
d. 1/16 1×19 cable: Maximum break strength – 500 lbs
e. 3/32 7×7 cable: Maximum break strength – 920 lbs
f. 3/32 1×19 cable: Maximum break strength – 1200 lbs
g. 1/8 7×7 cable: Maximum break strength – 1700 lbs
h. 1/8 1×19 cable: Maximum break strength – 2000 lbs
These weight ratings offer a general idea of which cable to use, considering factors like lunge pressure from animals. Recommended snares for specific animals are also provided based on cable sizes.
Types of Snare Trap Cables
1. 7×7 Configuration Cable:
In a 7×7 strand configuration, seven strands of wire are wrapped into one, and then seven of these strands are wrapped into one strand, totalling 49 strands of wire. This configuration offers flexibility and is challenging to break when animals twist and turn. While effective, it tends to form a tear-drop-shaped hoop, requiring finesse to set.
2. 1×19 Configuration Cable:
The 1×19 cable is stiffer and forms a more rounded loop. It is favoured for small snares due to its ease of use in forming the hoop. With 19 individual strands wrapped into one, this configuration is easier to break untwisted and is more susceptible to chewing.
Understanding the basic components of a snare is crucial before diving into the crafting process.
Trapping Snare Components
1. Snare Swivel Head:
The swivel serves as the anchor point for a snare, allowing the cable to twist when the trapped prey twists and turns. It prevents excessive cable breakage and fur damage. Swivels come in #9 (medium to large snares) and #11 gauge (small snares).
2. End Stops:
Also known as ferrules, end stops secure all parts of a snare together. Double and single barrels are used to form loops in the cable and secure swivels and other components. They come in aluminium, copper, and steel, with steel end stops requiring special tools for application.
3. Micro Lock:
Installed on the loop end of the snare, the micro lock is a crucial component that ensures the snare closes securely and quickly, minimizing pelt damage. It prevents the prey from escaping when tension is released on the snare.
4. Snare Support Collar:
The support collar helps position the snare loop at different heights, enabling better placement during setup. Twist lock collars are preferred for their superior holding capabilities.
5. Washer:
The washer is a simple yet necessary component used to secure the swivel head onto the cable.
Now that we’ve covered the basic components, let’s proceed with the step-by-step process of crafting a survival snare.
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Crafting Survival Snares
Step One: Lay off the snare cable and the first end stop.
a. Cut the cable to your desired length, recommending 3–4 ft for small snares, 5–6 ft for medium, and 7–8 ft for large snares.
b. Hold the cable to identify its natural curve or “lay.”
c. Install the end stop on the end of the cable with the curve (if any).
Step Two: Install the washer.
Drop the washer onto the open end of the cable, sliding it down to the end stop.
Step Three: Install the Snare Swivel Head.
a. Insert the open end of the cable into the barrel opening of the swivel, ensuring the loop end faces down the cable.
b. Slide the swivel down the cable.
Step Four: Install the twist lock or snare support collar.
Slide the twist support collar onto the open end of the cable, ensuring the large end faces down the cable toward the swivel head.
Step Five: Installing the Snare Micro Lock.
From the open end of the cable, install the micro lock, ensuring the long slot is pointed toward the open end.
Step Six: Form the shepherd’s cane.
a. Allow the cable to lay across your hand or finger naturally.
b. Use needle-nose pliers to grip the cable at a right or left-hand position.
c. Bend the cable back toward you, maintaining its natural lay.
d. Crimp the cable with the pliers to form a 90-degree angle.
e. Insert the 90-degree end into the long slot of the micro lock.
f. Install the last end stop.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crafted a survival snare. Practice this skill to enhance your chances of survival in the wild and pass on this valuable knowledge to others. Crafting your snares can be both practical and fulfilling, ensuring you’re well-prepared for survival situations. Happy snaring!
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Originally posted on January 23, 2024 @ 12:33 pm
