If you set up this Native American trap correctly, it will work fast and serve you right. It’s also pretty straightforward to build, but it needs a bit of physics, unlike the simple snare.
To make a Deadfall trap, you’ll need a “Y” shape stick that is at least eight inches long. Then a straight tree branch sticks a little thicker than a pencil, a two-inch-long stick that’s a little thinner than a pencil.
You would also need a slim bait stick that’s about half the size of a pencil, about 12-inch long, some bait, about 8 inches of string, a flat, heavy rock that’s about five to ten pounds, and some rope.
You can start by grabbing the rope. Make sure the string you’ll use isn’t easily breakable. Take your nine-inch straight stick, which will serve as the lever, and tie one end of the rope to it.
It’s best to connect the other end of the string to the two-inch stick, the toggle. You can use square knots at both ends of the line. Then wipe or skewer the bait on one end of the 12-inch bait stick and put it there.
Now, you can set everything up starting by stacking the “Y” stick on the heavy rock’s edge. Be careful, though. You don’t want to be the first one to get smashed. It’s best to have a partner while doing this step so someone else can hold the flat, heavy rock.
It’s still ok to do it alone. Just make sure to put the weight of the stone on one knee where you can steadily and carefully carry the weight while you set up the sticks, rope, and bait below.
Next, put the end of the lever, the one without a string, in the forked post. The distance should be about 1 inch from the heavy rock. The lever needs to be on the ground with a rock on top.
To wrap the two-inch toggle around the post, you’ll need to warp it about a third of the way around. It’s like a 180-degree turn.
At this point, please do not drop the heavy rock just yet. Ensure that the toggle is securely in place by letting it down slowly. To finish, place the baited end of the 12-inch bait stick. It should be between a rough spot under the stone and the tip of the toggle.
Finally, observe the gap and toggle. You’ll be sure that you did the right thing when you let go of the trigger stick, and the rock doesn’t fall to the ground.
This blog is helpful for beginners, but I think a little mention of how to properly place or bait some snares and traps for different game species would’ve been nice. Neither mechanical/steel traps such as conibears or footholds nor what to deal with trapped creatures were discussed here. Kids who want to catch a squirrel or the neighbor’s cat are probably the intended audience. Some relevant materials on snares and traps and simple YouTube videos were a great bonus. I’ll send this blog to some of my beginner friends or use it as a guide to teaching basic skills to my daughter.