Sovereignty Module: Set the Trap
Complete Primitive Trapping and Deadfalls: From Trigger to Table
Trapping provides food while you attend to other survival tasks. This campaign covers deadfall traps, snares, trigger mechanisms, and trap placement strategy.
Chapter 1: Trap Types
| Trap | Target | Difficulty | Materials | Kill Method | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figure-4 deadfall | Small to medium mammals | Moderate | 3 sticks, heavy rock | Crushing weight | Good |
| Paiute deadfall | Small to medium mammals | Moderate | 3 sticks, cordage, rock | Crushing weight | Very good |
| Simple snare | Small mammals, birds | Low | Cordage, anchor | Constriction | Good |
| Spring snare | Small mammals | Moderate | Cordage, sapling, trigger | Constriction + lift | Very good |
| Ojibwa bird snare | Birds | Low | Cordage, perch stick | Constriction | Moderate |
| Funnel trap (fish) | Fish | Moderate | Sticks, cordage | Containment | Very good |
| Pit trap | Medium to large mammals | High | Digging, stakes | Fall + impalement | Good |
Chapter 2: Figure-4 Deadfall
Figure-4 construction: 1) Cut three sticks: upright (8 inches), diagonal (10 inches), bait bar (8 inches). 2) Upright stick: flat on top, notch on one side near top. 3) Diagonal stick: point on bottom, notch on one side near top, flat on top. 4) Bait bar: notch near one end (engages upright), point on other end (bait). 5) Assembly: upright stands vertical, bait bar horizontal (notch engages upright notch). 6) Diagonal leans from top of upright to end of bait bar. 7) Notch on diagonal engages flat top of bait bar. 8) Heavy flat rock balanced on top of diagonal. 9) When animal touches bait bar, trigger releases, rock falls. 10) Rock must be 5-10x the weight of target animal. 11) Set on flat, hard surface (rock must fall flat). 12) Practice assembly many times before field use.
| Component | Length | Features | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright stick | 8 inches | Flat top, side notch near top | Supports diagonal |
| Diagonal stick | 10 inches | Point bottom, notch near top, flat top | Supports rock, connects to bait bar |
| Bait bar | 8 inches | Notch near one end, bait on other | Trigger mechanism |
| Deadfall rock | N/A | Flat, heavy (5-10x animal weight) | Killing weight |
Chapter 3: Snares
Simple loop snare: 1) Make loop from wire, cordage, or fishing line. 2) Loop diameter: size of target animal's head. 3) Rabbit snare: 4-inch diameter loop. 4) Squirrel snare: 2.5-inch diameter loop. 5) Set loop at head height of target animal on game trail. 6) Anchor snare to solid object (stake, tree, heavy log). 7) Animal walks through loop, loop tightens around neck. 8) Animal pulls, snare tightens further (one-way). 9) Wire snares are best (don't rot, maintain shape). 10) Cordage snares work but lose shape in rain.
Spring snare (spring pole): 1) Find flexible sapling near game trail. 2) Bend sapling down, attach snare line. 3) Create trigger: two-stick trigger holds sapling down. 4) Snare loop set on game trail at head height. 5) Animal enters loop, pulls trigger. 6) Sapling springs up, lifting animal off ground. 7) Lifting prevents animal from chewing free. 8) Lifting also keeps catch away from ground predators. 9) Most effective snare design for small game.
Chapter 4: Trap Placement
| Location | Target | Sign to Look For | Trap Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game trail | Rabbits, squirrels | Worn path, droppings, tracks | Snare, deadfall |
| Burrow entrance | Rabbits, groundhogs | Hole with worn area, fresh digging | Snare |
| Feeding area | Various | Chewed vegetation, scattered seeds | Deadfall with bait |
| Water source | Various | Tracks in mud, worn banks | Snare, deadfall |
| Log crossing | Squirrels | Bark worn smooth, droppings on log | Snare on log |
| Fence line/gap | Rabbits | Worn gap under fence, tracks | Snare in gap |
| Bird perch | Birds | Droppings below perch | Ojibwa snare |
Chapter 5: Trap Strategy
| Principle | Application | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Set many traps | 10-20 minimum | Each trap has low individual success rate |
| Check twice daily | Morning and evening | Prevent suffering, prevent predators stealing catch |
| Use natural funnels | Guide animals to trap | Brush fences narrow path to trap |
| Bait appropriately | Match bait to target species | Wrong bait = wrong animal or no animal |
| Camouflage traps | Rub with local vegetation | Human scent deters animals |
| Relocate failed traps | Move after 3 days with no catch | Animals may have changed patterns |
| Learn animal behavior | Study tracks, scat, feeding signs | Knowledge is more valuable than any trap design |
Reference Card
- Set many traps (one trap catches nothing; twenty traps feed you; trapping is a numbers game). 2. Location is more important than design (a simple snare on a busy game trail catches more than a perfect deadfall in the wrong spot). 3. The figure-4 is the universal deadfall (three sticks and a rock; learn this trigger mechanism and you can trap anywhere). 4. Wire is the best snare material (wire holds its shape, does not rot, and is nearly invisible; carry wire in your survival kit). 5. Funneling multiplies success (use brush, sticks, or rocks to create a narrow path that guides animals directly into your trap). 6. Check traps twice daily (leaving animals in traps causes unnecessary suffering and attracts predators that steal your catch). 7. Camouflage your scent (rub traps with local vegetation or mud; human scent on a trap warns animals away). 8. Study the signs before you set (tracks, droppings, chewed vegetation, and worn paths tell you exactly where to place your traps).