How to Trap Small Game with Minimal Equipment: The Ultimate Survival Guide
Introduction: Trapping for Survival
Imagine you're deep in the woods, miles from civilization, and your food supply is running low. You don’t have a fancy survival kit—just a knife, some paracord, and your wits. What do you do? Trapping small game is one of the most effective ways to secure food in a survival situation, and you don’t need a lot of gear to do it.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✅ The best small game to trap in the wild
✅ Essential trapping techniques using minimal tools
✅ DIY survival traps anyone can build
✅ Legal and ethical considerations
So, whether you're a hardcore survivalist, a prepper, or just someone who loves the outdoors, this ultimate guide to trapping small game will give you the edge you need when it matters most.
Understanding Small Game: What Can You Catch?
Before setting traps, you need to know what you're hunting. Small game animals that are easiest to trap include:
🦫 Rabbits & Hares – Common in forests, fields, and brushy areas.
🐿️ Squirrels – Found in wooded areas, these critters are easy to trap near trees.
🦨 Raccoons & Opossums – Attracted to bait, they’re opportunistic feeders.
🐭 Mice & Rats – If food is scarce, these can be a last-resort meal.
Pro Tip: Look for tracks, droppings, or well-worn trails near water sources. That’s where animals frequent the most.
Essential Trapping Gear: Minimal Equipment, Maximum Success
You don’t need a high-tech trap to catch small game. With just a few items, you can craft multiple survival traps.
🪵 Basic Survival Tools for Trapping:
✔️ Paracord or Snare Wire – Strong and lightweight, perfect for making snares.
✔️ Knife or Multi-tool – Essential for cutting, carving, and crafting.
✔️ Sticks & Branches – Used for building traps and setting triggers.
✔️ Bait (Optional) – Food scraps, nuts, or anything with a strong scent can attract animals.
Top 5 Survival Traps for Small Game
1. The Simple Snare Trap
The snare trap is the best survival trap for catching rabbits and squirrels. It's fast to set up, requires minimal gear, and works while you’re off doing other survival tasks.
How to Make a Snare Trap:
1️⃣ Find a small animal trail with signs of activity.
2️⃣ Cut a 2-foot piece of snare wire or paracord.
3️⃣ Create a small loop (about 2-3 inches wide) at one end.
4️⃣ Tie the other end to a sturdy branch or sapling.
5️⃣ Set the loop at head level of your target animal and secure it with small twigs.
🔥 Pro Tip: Add multiple snares along a single game trail to increase your chances of success!
2. The Deadfall Trap (Figure-Four Trigger)
A deadfall trap uses a heavy rock or log to crush the animal when triggered. This is great for rats, squirrels, and even raccoons.
How to Make a Deadfall Trap:
1️⃣ Find a flat rock or log heavy enough to kill the target animal.
2️⃣ Cut three sticks into a Figure-Four shape (one vertical, one diagonal, and one horizontal).
3️⃣ Balance the weight on the trigger mechanism.
4️⃣ Place bait underneath to lure in small game.
🔥 Pro Tip: Use peanut butter, dried fruit, or nuts to attract rodents and raccoons.
3. The Spring Snare Trap
This trap is a variation of the simple snare, but with a spring-loaded mechanism that snaps up the animal quickly.
How to Make a Spring Snare:
1️⃣ Find a sapling or flexible branch near a game trail.
2️⃣ Tie a snare loop and attach the other end to the bent sapling.
3️⃣ Use a trigger mechanism (a notched stick or peg) to hold the sapling down.
4️⃣ When the animal walks into the loop, the trigger releases, and the snare lifts it into the air.
🔥 Pro Tip: This trap is excellent for rabbits and squirrels since it quickly kills or immobilizes them.
4. The Paiute Deadfall Trap
A more sensitive version of the figure-four deadfall, the Paiute deadfall is easier to trigger and works well for fast, skittish animals like squirrels.
How to Build It:
1️⃣ Use a small stick and twine to create a lever-based trigger.
2️⃣ Place a flat rock or log as the crushing weight.
3️⃣ Bait the area and ensure the trap is balanced delicately.
🔥 Pro Tip: This trap requires less precision than the figure-four, making it ideal for beginners.
5. The Pit Trap
For catching larger small game like raccoons or opossums, the pit trap is a great hands-off method.
How to Make a Pit Trap:
1️⃣ Dig a deep hole (at least 2-3 feet) in a frequently traveled path.
2️⃣ Cover the hole with thin sticks and leaves to disguise it.
3️⃣ Place bait in the center to lure animals in.
4️⃣ Once the animal steps in, it falls in and can’t climb out.
🔥 Pro Tip: Make sure the sides are steep and smooth to prevent escape.
Best Baits for Small Game Traps
Using bait can increase your success rate dramatically. Some of the best small game baits include:
🥜 Peanut Butter – Irresistible to rodents and raccoons.
🌰 Nuts & Seeds – Perfect for squirrels.
🍎 Fruits & Berries – Rabbits, possums, and raccoons love them.
🥩 Meat Scraps – Great for omnivorous animals like raccoons and opossums.
🔥 Pro Tip: When using bait, handle it with gloves to minimize human scent!
Survival Trapping Tips & Ethics
✅ Check your traps frequently – Don’t let an animal suffer unnecessarily.
✅ Use only what you need – Don’t over-trap or waste resources.
✅ Follow local laws – Many areas have restrictions on trapping.
✅ Disguise your traps well – Wild animals are smarter than you think!
Final Thoughts: Trapping for Survival & Self-Sufficiency
Knowing how to trap small game with minimal equipment is a critical survival skill that could mean the difference between hunger and a full belly. By mastering simple snares, deadfall traps, and pit traps, you can increase your chances of catching food in the wild—all with minimal gear.
At Better Bushcraft, we provide top-tier survival gear, trapping supplies, and expert advice to help you thrive in the outdoors. Stop by our store or shop online today to gear up for your next survival adventure!
🔥 Got a favorite trap? Drop a comment below!
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