Sovereignty Module: Set the Trap
Complete Primitive Trapping: Deadfalls, Snares, and Passive Hunting Systems
Traps work while you sleep. A single person can maintain 20-50 traps, multiplying hunting effectiveness by 10×. This campaign covers construction of every major trap type.
Chapter 1: Trap Types and Applications
| Trap Type | Target | Kill Method | Complexity | Materials | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figure-4 deadfall | Squirrel, rabbit, rat | Crushing (heavy rock) | Moderate | 3 sticks + flat rock | High (when set correctly) |
| Paiute deadfall | Mouse, squirrel, chipmunk | Crushing | Low | 3 sticks + cord + rock | Very high (hair trigger) |
| Spring snare | Rabbit, squirrel | Strangulation + lifting | Moderate | Sapling + cord + trigger | High |
| Simple snare (wire) | Rabbit, fox, coyote | Strangulation | Very low | Wire loop on trail | Moderate-high |
| Ojibwa bird snare | Birds (grouse, pheasant) | Leg capture | Low | Stick + cord + perch | Moderate |
| Fish trap (funnel) | Fish | Containment | Moderate | Sticks/wicker woven | High (in right location) |
| Pit trap | Large game (deer, pig) | Fall + impalement | High | Digging + stakes + cover | Moderate |
| Treadle snare | Medium game | Leg capture | Moderate | Board + cord + stakes | Moderate |
| Drag snare | Rabbit, fox | Strangulation + entanglement | Low | Wire + drag stick | High |
Chapter 2: Figure-4 Deadfall (Most Versatile)
| Component | Specification | Material | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright stick | 8-12 inches, flat notch near top | Straight hardwood, pencil-thick | Supports diagonal, holds weight |
| Diagonal stick | 10-14 inches, notch at bottom, point at top | Straight hardwood | Transfers weight to trigger, holds bait |
| Trigger stick (horizontal) | 8-10 inches, notch at one end, bait at other | Straight hardwood | Releases when animal touches bait |
| Deadfall weight | 5-10× animal's weight | Flat rock or heavy log | Kills by crushing |
Assembly: 1. Carve matching notches (upright top notch holds diagonal, diagonal bottom notch catches trigger). 2. Upright stands vertical. Diagonal leans against upright (held by notch). 3. Trigger slides horizontally into diagonal's bottom notch and rests against upright's base notch. 4. Rock balanced on top of diagonal's upper end. 5. Bait on far end of trigger stick. 6. Animal pulls bait → trigger slides → diagonal falls → rock drops.
Chapter 3: Wire Snare Construction
| Component | Specification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wire | 20-24 gauge brass or steel (or 2mm snare wire) | Soft enough to form loop, strong enough to hold |
| Loop diameter | 4 inches (rabbit), 8-10 inches (fox/coyote) | Fist-size for rabbit, head-size for larger |
| Loop height | 4 inches off ground (rabbit), 8-10 inches (fox) | Center of animal's head height on trail |
| Anchor | Stake driven deep, or tied to immovable object | Must hold struggling animal |
| Lock | Simple loop-through-loop (self-tightening) | Wire threaded through small loop at one end |
Placement rules: 1. On well-used game trails (look for tracks, droppings, worn paths). 2. Funnel with sticks/brush to guide animal through snare. 3. Set multiple snares (20+ for reliable food). 4. Check every 12-24 hours (legal requirement + prevents suffering). 5. Camouflage with natural materials.
Chapter 4: Spring Snare (Rabbit)
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find/select spring pole (sapling or bent branch) | Must lift animal off ground when triggered |
| 2 | Attach snare cord to spring pole tip | Strong cord, snare loop at end |
| 3 | Set trigger mechanism (notch or toggle) | Holds spring pole down under tension |
| 4 | Position snare loop on trail (4 inches high, 4 inches diameter) | Supported by thin twigs (breaks away easily) |
| 5 | Funnel trail with sticks (guide animal through loop) | Natural-looking barriers on both sides |
| 6 | Animal enters loop → pulls trigger → spring pole lifts animal | Quick kill by strangulation + prevents scavengers |
Trigger types: 1. Notch trigger (two sticks with interlocking notches, held by spring tension). 2. Toggle trigger (stick through loop, held by friction). 3. Pencil trigger (horizontal stick balanced on vertical, cord pulls it off).
Chapter 5: Fish Traps
| Type | Construction | Target | Location | Check Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funnel trap (wicker) | Woven basket with inward-pointing funnel entrance | All fish | Stream narrows, beside rocks | Daily |
| Weir (stone/stick dam) | V-shaped dam directing fish into trap | Migrating fish | Shallow streams | During runs |
| Trotline | Long line with multiple baited hooks | Catfish, large fish | Rivers, ponds | Every 4-8 hours |
| Gill net | Mesh net stretched across current | All fish (size-selective) | Streams, lake edges | Every 4-8 hours |
| Basket trap (minnow) | Small woven trap with funnel | Baitfish, crayfish | Shallow water, baited | Daily |
Funnel trap principle: Fish swim in through cone-shaped entrance (easy to enter, hard to find exit). Bait inside attracts fish. Entrance should be 1/3 the trap diameter. Set in current (fish face upstream).
Chapter 6: Trap Line Management
| Rule | Reason | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Set 20-50 traps minimum | Statistical success (10-20% catch rate per night) | More traps = more reliable food |
| Check every 12-24 hours | Prevent suffering, prevent scavengers eating catch | Morning check routine |
| Vary trap types | Different animals, different conditions | Mix deadfalls, snares, fish traps |
| Move unproductive traps after 3 days | Animals may have changed routes | Relocate to fresh sign |
| Bait with local food sources | Animals trust familiar foods | Nuts for squirrels, meat scraps for predators |
| Minimize human scent | Animals avoid human smell | Handle traps with gloves, smoke traps over fire |
| Record locations (mental map or marks) | Don't lose traps | Blaze trees, use landmarks |
Reference Card
- Figure-4 deadfall: 3 sticks with interlocking notches + heavy flat rock (5-10× animal weight). Most versatile trap.
- Wire snare: 4-inch loop, 4 inches off ground for rabbit. Self-tightening loop. On game trails. Set 20+ snares.
- Spring snare: sapling lifts animal off ground. Prevents scavengers. Quick kill. Best for rabbits.
- Funnel fish trap: woven basket with inward-pointing cone entrance. Fish enter easily, can't find exit. Bait inside.
- Check all traps every 12-24 hours. Move unproductive traps after 3 days. Minimize human scent.
- Trap placement: on well-used trails (tracks, droppings, worn paths). Funnel with sticks to guide animal through.
- Deadfall weight: minimum 5× animal weight. 10× is better. Flat rock preferred (covers more area).
- 20-50 traps working = reliable daily protein. Traps work while you do other tasks. Force multiplier.