Basic Snare Traps — Survival Trapping Guide

Snaring animals is HEAVILY REGULATED in the United States. Setting snares on most public or private land without specific permits is a criminal offense — even on your own property in many states. This guide is for SURVIVAL scenarios and EDUCATIONAL purposes only.

In a legitimate emergency (lost in wilderness, natural disaster cutting off supply chains), federal and state "necessity" doctrines generally allow survival trapping. But in normal circumstances, you need: a valid trapping license, knowledge of species-specific regulations, and permission from the landowner. Never set snares recreationally without proper permits.

Legal considerations

• ☐ Check your state wildlife department for trapping license requirements
• ☐ Many species (all birds, most non-pest mammals) are federally protected
• ☐ Snaring deer, elk, most big game is strictly illegal without specific permits
• ☐ Legal targets vary by state: rabbits, squirrels, and some predators are most commonly legal
• ☐ Always identify the species before harvesting — misidentification can be criminal
• ☐ In a TRUE survival emergency, necessity defense may apply — document your situation
• ☐ This guide is for education and survival preparedness, not recreational trapping
• ☐ If in doubt: do not set the snare. Regulations are strict for real conservation reasons.

A snare is a noose of wire or cord attached to a trigger mechanism. When an animal walks through a game trail and pushes its head through the noose, the noose tightens as the animal continues forward, catching it around the neck or body.

The key elements are: a properly-sized noose (too large and the animal walks through, too small and the animal never enters), a sensitive trigger or "free-running" design, and correct placement on an active game trail. Without all three, the snare fails.

How snares catch animals

• ☐ The noose size must match the target species (rabbit = 4-6" loop, squirrel = 2-3")
• ☐ Mount the noose at the right HEIGHT for the target (rabbit = 3" off ground, squirrel = 4-6")
• ☐ Place ONLY on active game trails (you must see actual animal sign)
• ☐ Use thin brass or copper wire for best "lock" on the snare
• ☐ Smooth the wire to avoid kinks that fail to tighten
• ☐ Anchor securely — a strong animal can break a poor anchor and escape with the snare
• ☐ Funnel the trail with small sticks on either side of the snare so the animal cannot detour
• ☐ Check snares at least every 24 hours (preferably 12) — suffering is cruel and wasteful

The simple snare is a single noose on a game trail, anchored to a stake or nearby tree. It is the most basic snare design and the easiest to set correctly. Used properly, it catches rabbits and squirrels reliably.

Building the simple snare

• ☐ Use 20-24 gauge brass or copper wire (snare wire, not jewelry wire)
• ☐ Cut a 24-inch length of wire for the snare loop + anchor
• ☐ Form a small "eye" at one end by twisting the wire back on itself
• ☐ Thread the other end through the eye to form a running noose
• ☐ Adjust the noose to the correct size for your target (4-6 inches for rabbits)
• ☐ Mount the snare on the game trail at the correct height (3 inches for rabbits)
• ☐ Use small sticks or branches to funnel the animal through the noose
• ☐ Anchor the free end to a sturdy stake, tree, or heavy rock

A spring snare uses a bent sapling or heavy branch as a spring mechanism. When the animal triggers the snare, the sapling snaps upright, lifting the animal off the ground and killing it quickly. This is more humane than a ground snare and more effective for small game.

Spring snare construction

• ☐ Find a green, flexible sapling 1-2" thick near a game trail
• ☐ Tie a 24" length of snare wire to the top of the sapling
• ☐ Form the running noose at the other end (4-6 inches for rabbit)
• ☐ Cut a small trigger stick and a toggle catch
• ☐ Bend the sapling downward and hook the trigger stick against the toggle
• ☐ Position the noose at the correct height over the game trail
• ☐ When the animal triggers the noose, the stick releases and the sapling snaps upright
• ☐ Test the mechanism WITHOUT wire first to verify it triggers properly
• ☐ Quick-kill advantage: animal is lifted off ground, minimizing suffering

A small snare kit takes up almost no space and serves as a survival food source in true emergency scenarios. Pack it once, forget about it until you need it.

Snare kit essentials

• ☐ 6-12 pre-made snare wires (20-24 gauge brass or copper, 24" each)  → Buy
• ☐ Small pliers or multi-tool for wire work  → Buy
• ☐ Knife for cutting sticks and making trigger mechanisms  → Buy
• ☐ 50ft paracord for lashing + anchoring  → Buy
• ☐ Wire cutters for sizing
• ☐ Small notebook to mark snare locations (you WILL forget where they are)
• ☐ Gloves for handling wire (protects skin, reduces scent)
• ☐ Pre-cut funnel sticks (or cut fresh on site)
• ☐ Reference card with loop size + height for different species