How to Make a Box Trap When You're in the Woods

A box trap is a rudimentary trap for catching small animals alive. Box traps don't always have to use a traditional "box" for the snare, as any firm, closed object such as a large pot is suitable for the trap's snare. Box traps are good for use in survival situations when you have limited resources in the woods, but need to trap animals for food. Practice making box traps out of objects you traditionally take with you into the woods for camping and hiking adventures to ensure you have a back-up plan should an emergency present itself.

Things You'll Need

  • Twine or cordelette
  • Box or firm structure with a top
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Instructions

    • 1

      Scour the woods for a small but strong stick, long enough to prop up the side of whatever hard object you have in your pack for a trap snare.

    • 2

      Tie the cordelette or twine to the bottom or the stick. Use a square knot.

    • 3

      Practice setting the trap before putting it into action. Push the stick onto the ground and angle it at approximately 45 to 65 degrees. Place the object (pots and pans work perfectly for this) over the stick so it is balanced on it, but tips when the stick is removed. Pull the cordelette or twine to see how fast the trap snare falls.

    • 4

      Scout the area of the woods to place the trap. Building the trap itself is the easy part; find signs of animal tracks and scat that indicate a place to put the trap. Water such as creeks and streams are logical places to find animals and animal tracks.

    • 5

      Set up the trap where you find the tracks. If you have an area with a place for you to hide behind while the trap is set, this is even better. Bait the trap with dead worms, insects or fish carcasses if you have them.

    • 6

      Cover the twine with leaves or small branches to hide it from wary animals. Hide behind a tree or rock and hold the end of the twine in one hand.

    • 7

      Pull the cord quickly, as you practiced, as soon as an animal goes underneath the trap snare. Move quickly over to the snare and place pressure on it to prevent the animal from pushing it over and escaping.