Simple traps

Trapping can provide food, but it is heavily regulated. In many places, snares and many other traps are illegal, and they can cause animals great suffering. Only consider trapping in a genuine emergency, and know that it usually provides less food for the effort than you might think.

Before you trap

• Plant foods, insects and fishing are often more reliable and need less skill.
• Traps can catch pets, protected species or even injure people.
• You must check traps often, at least once a day, so any animal caught does not suffer.

Fish traps: often the best option

A simple bottle trap can catch small fish in streams and ponds.

1. Cut the top third off a large plastic bottle.
2. Turn the top piece around and push it into the bottom piece, neck first, to make a funnel.
3. Fix the pieces together with string, wire or tape.
4. Make a few small holes so water can flow through.
5. Put bait inside, such as bread or worms.
6. Weigh it down with a stone in shallow water, with the funnel facing downstream.

Fish swim in through the funnel but find it hard to get out. Check it every few hours.

Principles of trapping animals

If you must trap animals, understand the basics:

• Location: look for trails, droppings, feeding signs and burrow entrances. Animals use the same paths every day.
• Funnelling: use sticks or brush to guide animals into the trap, rather than relying on bait alone.
• Scent: handle traps as little as possible. Rub your hands with soil or plants to mask your scent.
• Numbers: trappers set many traps to catch a few animals.

Learn any trapping method properly from an expert and check the law where you are.

Safety and hygiene

• Approach traps carefully. A trapped animal may bite, scratch or kick.
• Wear gloves when handling dead animals if you can.
• Don't eat animals that seemed sick or were found dead.
• Cook all meat thoroughly until there is no pink and the juices run clear.
• Wash your hands well after handling animals and their guts.
• Bury or burn waste away from your camp to avoid attracting predators.

Better use of your energy

In a short emergency, time spent on shelter, warmth, water and signalling for rescue is usually more valuable than trapping.

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