Trapping to survive

[Saltwater60]

Been thinking about this a lot lately since traps can be used again and again, are quiet, and can be set and left. I bought some traps and got my trapping license to help clear out some beavers last fall from my parents property and it was honestly very easy. Now with the squirrel problem I have around my house I’m thinking of trapping some on my property since trapping is allowed in my area and I do t see that I’m breaking any laws. I’ll put them up so I don’t get any pets.
So that leads my to why we’re here, anyone thought about this for survival? I think it’s a good passive hunting tactic that can net you a good amount of food. I think I could catch a lot of squirrels, wood Chuck, raccoons, and possums this way.
Any one know of any good snaring wire? I know it’s not ok to trap with on a regular basis, but if I’m starving I do t care about the law in that case. I could catch rabbits and squirrels galore with snares around.

 

[Celt]

I like watching the show Alone, most of the meat these people is from trapping. Far more animals get caught through trapping than hunting.

Logically, it makes sense. As a lone hunter you can only be in one spot at a time, but you can set numerous traps to cover multiple areas at once.

 

[Donniehotts]

Iv been wanting to trap forever.i did buy a bunch of rat traps and crushed the chipmunk population that was living in my foundation lol.traps would be essential in a shtf situation.i also get amped up on trapping after watching alone.

 

[Deplorable Me]

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/minnesota-trapline-trap-and-snare-wire?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1bqZBhDXARIsANTjCPKJ8OkNRpUId6CfXcu6MPt2-l1o_OoM3OqiB8WawnKYZytJ1_ij9fcaAmDFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Basic snare wire in your prepper stash is a good idea. A variety of wires can be used to accomplish the task. Wire also good for repairs. Have a good set of heavy duty side cutters and needle nose pliers.

I've played around with electrical crimps on steel wire. Another good resource for Bush craft.

 

[Getzville 068]

Trapping makes sense. Back in pre-contact days Native people relied on trapping for much of their protein.

 

[livingston]

My father trapped a lot as a boy and even after he was married. . Taught us a little bit when I was a boy. In the depression many folks ate raccoon and muskrat .. Fairly easy to catch .As you noted. He learned reading trapping books . We had one or two around the house ... They moved several times ... Could have been thrown out years ago. You Tube has many sited devoted to trapping.
I follow this fellow at times
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWildNorth
Still have about 100 leg traps I don't know if they are even legal today

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWildNorth/videos

 

[GTN]

Amazon 12 pack

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Brand-Standard-Snare-Supports/dp/B06XHP34VD/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=OI7OJZVZ9LC&keywords=snare+wire+trapping&qid=1664026956&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1LjI0IiwicXNhIjoiNC4yOCIsInFzcCI6IjMuNjgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=snare+wire+trapping+%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-5

 

[Saltwater60]

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/minnesota-trapline-trap-and-snare-wire?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1bqZBhDXARIsANTjCPKJ8OkNRpUId6CfXcu6MPt2-l1o_OoM3OqiB8WawnKYZytJ1_ij9fcaAmDFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Basic snare wire in your prepper stash is a good idea. A variety of wires can be used to accomplish the task. Wire also good for repairs. Have a good set of heavy duty side cutters and needle nose pliers.

I've played around with electrical crimps on steel wire. Another good resource for Bush craft.

I’ve seen this but it looks rubber coated to me and will t slide for snaring. Also the description doesn’t say for use in actual snares, but other trapping uses.

 

[holdover]

I trapped rabbits and squirrels when I was a kid. Would come in handy, if I were hungry.

 

[Acer-m14]

didn't the Mafia use piano wire back in the days ..

hell some cheep packs of Guitar stings could make for some nice wire traps .. and easy to store in a bugout bag

 

[Deplorable Me]

I’ve seen this but it looks rubber coated to me and will t slide for snaring. Also the description doesn’t say for use in actual snares, but other trapping uses.

Think of it as a concept. I've read of Alaskan bush people using braided picture hanging wire. I've looked at 100# braided SS downrigger wire that was coated. The wire has to be appropriate to the size of the critter your looking to bag. It'll depend where on the food chain you're looking to work. Go lighter wire for squirrels.

 

[spat]

I've got lots of .035 MIG wire, that's pretty stiff high tensile steel. Probably too stiff TBH.

Also have a bunch of stainless lock wire. That's a lot softer.

Also some rebar tie wire, Probably only good for pretty large critters though.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I've got lots of .035 MIG wire, that's pretty stiff high tensile steel. Probably too stiff TBH.

Also have a bunch of stainless lock wire. That's a lot softer.

Also some rebar tie wire, Probably only good for pretty large critters though.

Holy shit man, never thought about my MIG wire!

 

[Deplorable Me]

I use to buy SS tie wire like this from Harbor Freight.

 

[meketrefe]

Been thinking about this a lot lately since traps can be used again and again, are quiet, and can be set and left. I bought some traps and got my trapping license to help clear out some beavers last fall from my parents property and it was honestly very easy. Now with the squirrel problem I have around my house I’m thinking of trapping some on my property since trapping is allowed in my area and I do t see that I’m breaking any laws. I’ll put them up so I don’t get any pets.
So that leads my to why we’re here, anyone thought about this for survival? I think it’s a good passive hunting tactic that can net you a good amount of food. I think I could catch a lot of squirrels, wood Chuck, raccoons, and possums this way.
Any one know of any good snaring wire? I know it’s not ok to trap with on a regular basis, but if I’m starving I do t care about the law in that case. I could catch rabbits and squirrels galore with snares around.

The problem is that you don't need too many people to deplete the resources pretty fast.
There are a lot of dangers with it as well unless you have the equipment to screen for some diseases you don't want to touch even when one is starving.

 

[meketrefe]

I like watching the show Alone, most of the meat these people is from trapping. Far more animals get caught through trapping than hunting.

Logically, it makes sense. As a lone hunter you can only be in one spot at a time, but you can set numerous traps to cover multiple areas at once.

That is cool for a show but in reality the land cannot sustain many people. This idea of going somewhere and surviving seems possible but then a few more join the area and at that point something that was already difficult becomes impossible.

 

[Saltwater60]

They have this. It’s galvanized

The problem is that you don't need too many people to deplete the resources pretty fast.
There are a lot of dangers with it as well unless you have the equipment to screen for some diseases you don't want to touch even when one is starving.

agreed, but many around me won’t last long. Im not looking to feed my entire block. There are plenty of resources around me. Lots of fishing, hunting, frogs, turtles, fields for greens. Lots of fruit trees, berry bushes, and a few nut trees around too. Lots of food around if you know where and what you’re looking for.

 

[meketrefe]

They have this. It’s galvanized

agreed, but many around me won’t last long. Im not looking to feed my entire block. There are plenty of resources around me. Lots of fishing, hunting, frogs, turtles, fields for greens. Lots of fruit trees, berry bushes, and a few nut trees around too. Lots of food around if you know where and what you’re looking for.

Many more will be out there, you will not be the only one, dozens or more will be doing the same.
We are hardwired for it even we don't recognize it.
If things get really bad people will show up and this idea of surviving from the wild will go from hard to very very hard.
Even if one says I am going to the Yukon, others will be there already.
Again, beautiful to watch those shows on tv but there is no reality TV like real shit.

 

[Saltwater60]

Many more will be out there, you will not be the only one, dozens or more will be doing the same.
We are hardwired for it even we don't recognize it.
If things get really bad people will show up and this idea of surviving from the wild will go from hard to very very hard.
Even if one says I am going to the Yukon, others will be there already.
Again, beautiful to watch those shows on tv but there is no reality TV like real shit.

For sure but if people don’t have the tools or know how to trap or snare you’re not going to go out there and set up some vine snares and be successful. People with no fishing gear, boats, or kayaks are going to be fishing day one. Many people have zero clue of what is around and pay no attention. I’ve had plenty of people tell me there are no raccoons or possums around in our neighborhood. So they will not be looking at them.
I also have ice fishing gear and many don’t have that either. Will it be easy heck no, but I don’t think many will fare very well. Many don’t know clover and dandelions are edible. Many other plants around are as well. I’ll bet the guy behind me doesn’t know if you boil the acorns on his tree you can eat them.
Many more have zero guns and zero ammo. Many have a gun and no ammo or one or two boxes of shells and that’s it.

 

[Celt]

That is cool for a show but in reality the land cannot sustain many people. This idea of going somewhere and surviving seems possible but then a few more join the area and at that point something that was already difficult becomes impossible.

Yep, its also not reasonable to expect to survive all on your own.

These people are trained experts and they struggle with some being removed because theyve lost too much weight, others quitting due to isolation.

People who think that they will just go to the woods to hunt and survive if SHTF havent thought things through completely.

 

[meketrefe]

Yep, its also not reasonable to expect to survive all on your own.

These people are trained experts and they struggle with some being removed because theyve lost too much weight, others quitting due to isolation.

People who think that they will just go to the woods to hunt and survive if SHTF havent thought things through completely.

The funny thing is that like in war the most unexpected individual can find a way to figure things out. We are hardwired to survive but not alone. We thrive in the family, tribe, village system and how we got here after thousands of years of evolution. We are also very happy in that system even if we don't fully understand why.
This is a well known area of study in neuroscience and anthropology.

 

[meketrefe]

For sure but if people don’t have the tools or know how to trap or snare you’re not going to go out there and set up some vine snares and be successful. People with no fishing gear, boats, or kayaks are going to be fishing day one. Many people have zero clue of what is around and pay no attention. I’ve had plenty of people tell me there are no raccoons or possums around in our neighborhood. So they will not be looking at them.
I also have ice fishing gear and many don’t have that either. Will it be easy heck no, but I don’t think many will fare very well. Many don’t know clover and dandelions are edible. Many other plants around are as well. I’ll bet the guy behind me doesn’t know if you boil the acorns on his tree you can eat them.
Many more have zero guns and zero ammo. Many have a gun and no ammo or one or two boxes of shells and that’s it.

There is nothing wrong with knowing more that is for sure. One just have to be realistic that this is not going to be a sustainable or cool reality TV show.
If you have even a small asian community with some 1st generation immigrants who happen to come from the country side a few of those with traps and air rifles will clean up a national forest pretty quickly.
We just don't realize how far behind the average US citizen is when it comes to natural survival abilities and mind set

 

[Saltwater60]

There is nothing wrong with knowing more that is for sure. One just have to be realistic that this is not going to be a sustainable or cool reality TV show.
If you have even a small asian community with some 1st generation immigrants who happen to come from the country side a few of those with traps and air rifles will clean up a national forest pretty quickly.
We just don't realize how far behind the average US citizen is when it comes to natural survival abilities and mind set

There is no one like that around me. I’m live in Lilly white suburban area. In fact we were fishing this weekend and there was about 15-20 people down there celebrating something and they had never seen a fish or fished in their lives. This happens many times over.
I have a dozen fishing poles, extra line, tons and tons of lures, and I know where to get bait if need be. I have nets, 7 kayaks, live traps, conibears, BB guns and other guns.
I know it won’t be romantic and sexy, but I think I could out live most around me. Many of my neighbors are old so they would not last long at all. Hell a few of my neighbor's can’t even cut their lawns and can’t handle simple tasks. I just helped my neighbor remove and clean his lawn mower carb because that was beyond his skills?

 

[Acer-m14]

don't forget about them ones that will steal from your trap line ..

 

[spat]

don't forget about them ones that will steal from your trap line ..

In that sort of TEOTWAWKI event, those people just volunteered to feed your dog...

 

[Saltwater60]

don't forget about them ones that will steal from your trap line ..

For sure that will happen here and there, but many won’t know where they are. Hell I’d probably forget where a few are. They will be standing in government feeding lines getting their rations for the most part.

 

[Cavalry]

don't forget about them ones that will steal from your trap line ..

Thats a legitimate concern. Not just people. Foxes any 'yotes will raise havoc on the buffet of a line, people are going to be letting Fido roam because they cant feed them, they will go feral. Its rough running a trap line in 4' of snow when its 10 degrees out and you haven't had a meal in 3 days. That is another problem, in the snow your line will be very evident to others to exploit it when you are not around.

 

[S&W Fan]

don't forget about them ones that will steal from your trap line ..

Not to mention other predators that very quickly learn where your traplines and rabbit snares are. Predators are wired to hear and smell other animals in distress. They will locate them fairly quickly and dine on your quarry before you get there .

 

[Vinson57]

Snares not allowed for use was what I though but when SHTF hits, anything goes. I got piles of different sizes from ebay.

In special forces training, 1990s period and things always change, their survival phase, trans and snares are taught and grading was they must show violence of action such as the cadre instructor would place a canteens in your snare and trip it and it must fling it and suspend the canteen.

Next they did have the task "Prepare Wild Game" and they knew here were no animals in the woods so they gave you a token chicken live which you put a leash on its leg and took with with you until you decided you would kill it and cook it. Squeamish people being hingry got over that but not a problem for country boys. If the chicken gets away, go hungry. This two day survival school, they pre-fasted you for two days prior to get you in the right mood for surviving. It was pouring rain and I made a shelter and the chick was planned to die in the morning, the dam chicken no fool, and the cord too long, the chicken inside with me trying to stay dry.

 

[repete]

I used to trap quite a bit when I was young, my dad taught me. His family did a LOT of trapping during the depression with 13 kids, they had the manpower! I used to get a lot of muskrats and one day I had a critter in a trap that I didn't recognize, turned out it was a mink. My dad showed me how to skin it and keep the ears, eye lashes, nose and claws, I can still do it as of a few years ago. I showed a friend how on tree rats. I've been toying with the idea of skinning a mouse and then putting the hide and skull with the trap on a plaque at the camp, I think it would be funny.