How to Make Iron Traps

Iron traps used for hunting can vary significantly, from large jaws to cages. Cage traps are more humane and do not kill the animal, so they are preferred. Traps are usually used to catch small mammals, but overall the size of the trap depends on the animal sought. The animal enters the cage looking for food and trips the switch for the door upon reaching the bait. The door closes, leaving the animal trapped inside.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 wire-iron cage walls, 4 feet by 2 feet
  • Plastic zip ties
  • 2 wire-iron cage walls, 2 feet by 2 feet
  • 2 pieces of iron sheet metal, 1 foot by 1 foot
  • Spring
  • Wire
  • Latch and pin
  • 3 hinges
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Bait
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Instructions

    • 1

      Arrange the four larger wire-iron cage walls into rectangle. Bind the walls together using plastic zip ties --- one tie for each section, or gap between where the bars meet the edge. This is the body of the trap

    • 2

      Place one of the smaller wire-iron cage walls on the end of the rectangular prism. This is the end of the cage. Attach it with plastic zip ties. Use one tie for each section.

    • 3

      Connect two pieces of sheet metal using a hinge. Attach a 4-inch spring to both pieces to create a ">" shape. This is where the bait will be placed and what will trip the door to close. Drill a hole into the top piece toward the higher end. The final product should look like a pedal.

    • 4

      Place the two sheet metal pieces at the back of the cage, with the higher side toward the closed end.

    • 5

      Attach a wire to the hole at the top end of the sheet metal. Run this wire directly up and out of the top of the cage. Bring the wire along the top of the cage to the front. This is the trip wire.

    • 6

      Place the other smaller wire-iron cage wall into the cage. Hold this piece against the top of the cage, directly at the front. Attach two hinges to this piece on the end toward the back of the cage. This is the front trap door and it will swing down when activated.

    • 7

      Attach a latch with pin to the front of the two-by-two piece. Attach the pin to the wire, making sure you have no slack on the wire.

    • 8

      Apply bait to the end of the sheet metal piece inside the cage. When the animal presses down on the sheet metal, it pulls the pin from the latch and the door swings down, trapping the animal inside.