Primitive Traps

How to Build a Small Game Survival Snare

For short term survival (1-7 days), food is not a critical priority.  Shelter, water, fire, and signaling are typically more immediate concerns.  At some point, though, you must put calories on the human furnace or suffer the debilitating consequences of starvation.

To my knowledge there isn’t one single primitive culture, tribe, or people where meat is/was not a critical component of their diet.  Modern equipment, farming, transportation, food processing, supplements, and complex supply chains give us the option not to eat meat if we choose.  Remove these luxuries for an extended period of time and the calories from meat once again become necessary for survival.  It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to source enough calories in a primitive survival scenario by gathering wild plant edibles alone - especially in cold weather climates or seasons.

Time and energy conservation are both very important factors to consider in any survival situation.  This is precisely why snares are such an important survival tool.  Once constructed and set, a snare will allow you to focus on other survival priorities.  And, it will keep working even while you are sleeping.  With 10 snares you can be hunting in 10 different locations at the same time while expending ZERO energy.  You become a one man hunting party.  Snares are a survivor’s secret weapon.  Not only are snares incredibly reliable and effective, they also require very few resources to build - in materials, energy, and time. (Read the rest of this article here.)


Videos:

Survival Trappers Bible Part 7 Spring Pole Peg Snare (YouTube Video)

Deadliest Small Game Primitive Trap (Windlass Trap) (YouTube Video)

Mojave Scissor Survival Trap (YouTube Video)


Articles:

Six Primitive Traps For Catching Food In The Woods

How to Build a Trap: 15 Best Survival Traps

Buy Professional Snares Here (Pack of 12)

Buy A Survival Snare Package Here


Books:

The Trapper's Bible: The Most Complete Guide on Trapping and Hunting Tips Ever 

The Bushcraft Field Guide to Trapping, Gathering, and Cooking in the Wild

How to Eat in the Woods: A Complete Guide to Foraging, Trapping, Fishing, and Finding Sustenance in the Wild