How to Trap With Snares When Hunting for Survival

Whenever people go hiking, or hunting or on a wilderness adventure, the chance always exists that things will not go as planned. They may become lost or injured, and survival may depend on being able to trap game for food. Anyone planning a trip to the wilderness should pack survival gear, including several pieces of wire that can be fashioned into snares. Such wire is easy to pack along because it is light and does not take up much space.

Things You'll Need

  • Steel wire
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Instructions

    • 1

      Trim the wire into 3-foot and 4-foot sections.

    • 2

      Create a small loop in one end of the wire by twisting the wire around itself. The small loop needs to be just large enough that the wire fits through it.

    • 3

      Insert the end of the wire into the small loop and pull it through.

    • 4

      Look for animals. You might see rabbits and squirrels, for example. If you cannot find animals, look instead for signs of them, including droppings or footprints. If you are in an area with grass or mud, look for trails that animals seem to use.

    • 5

      Place the snare along the trail, or in an area where you believe animal activity is high. Find a sturdy object like a tree around which to secure the wire. Wrap the free end of the wire around the tree or other object five to six times, which ensures the wire will not come undone when an animal struggles against it.

    • 6

      Create a snare loop by adjusting the location of the small loop. If animals like rabbits and squirrels are your primary targets, the snare loop should measure between 3 and 4 inches in diameter. An 8-inch loop is better for larger animals, such as raccoons.

    • 7

      Adjust the wire so the large loop's bottom is 2 to 5 inches above the ground. When setting the height of the wire, keep in mind the size of the animal that may walk through. You will catch more rabbits and raccoons, for example, in snares that are near the ground since they walk low to the ground.

    • 8

      Check your snares at least every 24 hours.