How to Make a Pack Basket for Trapping

Traditional pack baskets are woven baskets carried over the back, often to carry trapped animals or game. Pack baskets have their origins in Native American crafts and many of the old methods are in use today. If you have a trapline and want to make a functional pack basket, don't concern yourself with aesthetics as it gets mud, blood and grime all over it. Make a functional pack basket that is light and quick to get on and off using modern materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Old wicker laundry basket or bulk woven basket with cover
  • 2-inch width nylon webbing
  • Bulk closed cell foam
  • Nylon fabric, heavy duty
  • Lighter
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tool
  • Webbing buckle-sliders
  • 2 small bungee cords
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your torso length, from shoulder to waist. Measure out two lengths of the webbing in this measured length and cut two pieces of webbing.

    • 2

      Wrap foam around the webbing in the middle third (if the webbing is 30 inches, wrap the foam around 10 inches in the middle area on the webbing). Cut the nylon fabric in the width to wrap around the foam. Hold the cut ends of the nylon under a lighter flame to melt it so there are no frays. Sew the nylon over the foam, creating padded shoulder straps.

    • 3

      Thread the straps through the top, back of the basket. Bring them down and then thread the end through the bottom of the basket.

    • 4

      Thread the straps through a slider, then feed the strap back up on the opposite side of the slider to create the enclosed and adjustable shoulder straps.

    • 5

      Secure the lid to the basket via two small bungee cords.