How to Make a Trap Out of Logs

A log trap, or pole deadfall, allows trappers to create their own traps in the woods with minimal tools. A deadfall can kill small animals such as skunks or large animals such as black bears. The animal is killed quickly and humanely without being able to call out and warn other animals. Animals smell bait in the trap and reach between the logs at the only opening. A trigger log is pulled off an upright prop when the animal grabs the suspended bait, and the log falls, killing the animal with its weight.

Things You'll Need

  • Axe
  • Knife
  • Fresh meat for bait
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build a three-sided pen about a foot square from stones, chunks of earth, or stakes driven closely together. If using stakes, drive them into the ground as far as possible so animals cannot break through from the outside and steal the bait. Camouflage the trap with materials such as leaves, grass and sticks so animals will not shy away from the trap.

    • 2

      Cut the deadfall logs. The diameter of the logs depends on the type of animal you are trapping. Cut two logs twice the width of the front of the trap. Cut two more logs long enough to reach from the back of the trap and extend past the front about a foot.

    • 3

      Cut the deadfall supports. These can be about a fifth the diameter of the deadfall logs. Cut two front supports about the height of the trap plus about a quarter height. Cut two back supports with a length about three times the thickness of the two deadfall logs.

    • 4

      Set one deadfall log on the ground perpendicular to the front of the trap with one end flush with one side of the trap. Drive the two front supports into the ground in front of the deadfall log until the tops are flush with the top of the trap. Drive one stake in line with each side. Drive the two back supports into the ground on either side of the log at the opposite end.

    • 5

      Cut the trigger pieces. Cut a long thin sapling or branch about a third the length of the trap. Sharpen one end to create the bait stick. Cut a stake about a foot long with a 90-degree-angled top. Drive this stake into the ground inside the trap about two-thirds the distance of the length of the bait stick. Cut another stake about a foot long and slice one end at a 45-degree angle.

    • 6

      Drive the sharpened end of the bait stick through a piece of chicken, rabbit or any tough piece of fresh and bloody meat. Lay the bait stick with the thicker end on the deadfall log on the ground and the other end alongside the stake inside the trap. When weight is applied to the thicker end of the bait stick, the sharpened end of the stick should get trapped by the angle at the top of the stake.

    • 7

      Lay the other long deadfall log on top of the deadfall log on the ground. Place the short logs alongside the outside of the trap with one end on the deadfall logs and one end at the back of the trap.

    • 8

      Lift the three logs that are resting on the thicker end of the bait stick; carefully prop the remaining stake between the bait stick and the logs with the angled end on the bait stick. Angle the stake towards the inside of the trap.