Sovereignty Module: Set the Line
Set the Line
Complete Trapping, Snare Construction, and Game Procurement Guide
Complete Trapping, Snare Construction, and Game Procurement Guide
Trapping provides protein with minimal energy expenditure. One person can tend 50+ traps while performing other work. This campaign covers snare construction, trap placement, and ethical harvest.
Chapter 1: Trap Types Compared
| Trap Type | Target | Complexity | Materials | Kill/Capture | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple snare (wire loop) | Rabbits, squirrels | Very low | Wire or cordage | Capture/strangle | High (if placed well) |
| Spring snare (powered) | Rabbits, birds | Low | Cordage + sapling | Kill (neck break) | Very high |
| Deadfall (figure-4) | Rodents, small game | Low | Rocks + sticks | Kill (crush) | Moderate |
| Paiute deadfall | Rodents, small game | Low | Rocks + sticks + cordage | Kill (crush) | High |
| Box trap (live capture) | Rabbits, birds, small game | Moderate | Wood/wire mesh | Capture (live) | Moderate |
| Pit trap | Large game | High (labor) | Digging + stakes/cover | Kill/capture | High (if concealed) |
| Fish trap (weir) | Fish | Moderate | Sticks, rocks, woven basket | Capture (live) | Very high |
| Gill net | Fish | Moderate | Cordage (fine mesh) | Capture/kill | Very high |
| Trotline | Fish (catfish, etc.) | Low | Line + hooks + bait | Capture | Moderate-high |
Chapter 2: Wire Snare Construction
| Component | Specification | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Wire | 20-24 gauge brass or steel (flexible, strong) | Forms loop that tightens on animal |
| Loop size | Fist-sized for rabbits (4 inches diameter) | Must match target animal head size |
| Loop height | 3-4 inches off ground (rabbits) | Centered on animal's travel path |
| Anchor | Staked to ground or tied to solid object | Prevents animal from escaping with snare |
| Lock | Small bend or twist that prevents loop from reopening | Ensures snare stays tight once triggered |
| Support | Twigs or grass to hold loop in position | Keeps loop upright and open in trail |
Setting: Find game trail (worn path, droppings, tracks). Set snare in narrowest point of trail. Loop at head height of target animal. Anchor solidly. Check every 12-24 hours.
Chapter 3: Figure-4 Deadfall
| Component | Function | Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical stick | Holds weight up, has notch at top and bottom | Flat notch top (holds diagonal), point bottom (holds horizontal) |
| Horizontal stick (bait stick) | Holds bait, triggers collapse | Notch near one end (engages vertical), bait on far end |
| Diagonal stick | Transfers weight to trigger mechanism | Flat notch top (under rock), notch bottom (engages vertical top) |
| Weight (flat rock) | Kills animal when it falls | 5-10x animal weight. Flat bottom for clean kill. |
Trigger sensitivity: The three sticks interlock under tension from the rock's weight. When animal touches bait stick, horizontal shifts, releases vertical, diagonal falls, rock drops. Adjust notch depth for sensitivity.
Chapter 4: Trap Placement Principles
| Principle | Application | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Trails and runs | Set on established animal paths | Look for: worn ground, droppings, tracks, fur on brush |
| Funneling | Guide animal into trap with barriers | Place sticks/brush to narrow path toward snare |
| Water sources | Animals must drink daily | Set near water at dawn/dusk approach routes |
| Feeding areas | Where animals eat | Under fruit trees, near gardens, at browse lines |
| Denning areas | Near burrows and nests | Set at entrance/exit of dens |
| Quantity over quality | More traps = more success | 20-50 traps per person. Check daily. |
| Concealment | Trap must look natural | Cover with leaves, dirt. Remove human scent (rub with local plants). |
Chapter 5: Fish Traps
| Type | Construction | Target | Placement | Check Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basket trap (funnel entry) | Woven basket with inward-pointing funnel | All fish | Streams, facing upstream | Daily |
| Weir (stone/stick dam) | V-shaped wall directing fish into basket | All fish | Streams, rivers | Daily |
| Trotline | Long line with multiple baited hooks | Catfish, large fish | Rivers, ponds | Every 4-12 hours |
| Gill net | Fine mesh net stretched across water | All fish | Streams, lakes | Every 2-4 hours |
| Fish pen (live holding) | Enclosed area in water | Caught fish (storage) | Calm water | As needed |
Basket trap: Weave cone-shaped basket (2-3 feet long). Create funnel entrance (wide outside, narrow inside — fish swim in, can't find exit). Bait inside. Place in stream facing upstream. Fish enter seeking bait, cannot escape.
Chapter 6: Ethical Harvest and Processing
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check traps every 12-24 hours (minimum) | Reduces suffering. Prevents spoilage. Prevents predator theft. |
| 2 | Dispatch quickly if animal is alive | Sharp blow to base of skull. Quick and humane. |
| 3 | Field dress immediately | Remove entrails within 1 hour (prevents spoilage). |
| 4 | Skin while warm | Easier when fresh. Save hide for tanning. |
| 5 | Cool meat quickly | Hang in shade, breeze. Below 40F within 4 hours if possible. |
| 6 | Preserve: smoke, dry, salt, or cook within 24 hours | See Food Preservation campaigns. |
| 7 | Use everything | Meat, hide, sinew, bones (tools), fat (candles/soap), organs (bait). |
Reference Card
- Wire snare: 20-24 gauge wire, fist-sized loop, 3-4 inches off ground on game trail. Check daily.
- Funnel principle: guide animals toward trap with brush barriers. Narrow the path.
- Quantity: set 20-50 traps. More traps = more reliable food. Spread across area.
- Figure-4 deadfall: rock weight 5-10x animal weight. Flat rock for clean kill.
- Fish basket trap: funnel entry (wide outside, narrow inside). Fish enter, can't exit.
- Placement: trails, water sources, feeding areas, den entrances. Look for sign (tracks, droppings).
- Check traps every 12-24 hours minimum. Dispatch humanely. Process immediately.
- Concealment: remove human scent (rub hands with local plants). Make trap look natural.
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