Esee traps and snares

Decklin

Decklin

Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
436
After reading through the traps and snares diagrams and articles on the Esee site I noticed some where it said some components could be pre-made and added to your survival kit. I thought that was a great idea. So I purchased some dowels, spray paint, snap rings, 550 cord and headed outside.

I will say this, I had a Jigsaw, Dremel Tool, Sand Paper, Razor Knife, Files, Etc to build my trap components. I have never built traps before, and for some components it was still a challenge. I have a new found respect for those of you that can build figure 4 traps in the woods with minimal tools. I also just purchased one of those mini survival saw blades from Hoods Woods to be dropped in my PSK with small Razor knife. These will prove to be invaluable in crafting components in the woods.

The first trap I built was an engine powered snare as displayed on the Esee site. I added a screw to the end of the dowel and ground the head of it into a hook shape to hold the bait. I did not finish camouflaging the rest of the trap..just working on basic construction here.
trapssnares4.jpg



Then I attempted a figure 4, while my final attempt at this held the weight of the rock, it was still a sorry excuse for a trap. I think I was actually over building this one a bit. Sorry no pics of this one.

I then attached my AH-1 to a piece of dowel that was ground flat on one end and to a point on the other. I figure this will go great in the bottom of a pit fall trap.
trapssnares5.jpg


All in all this was a great learning experience. I will surely be practicing making traps and snares on my next outing for sure.

I appreciate the knowledge that is shared by Esee and the folks here.
 
The two split rings are simple to set up and can be used for just about any type of snare or even trip wire booby traps.
 
Decklin said:
I also just purchased one of those mini survival saw blades from Hoods Woods to be dropped in my PSK with small Razor knife.
Click to expand...

Speaking of Mr. Hood, he had a brilliant idea in one of his DVDs. He carried surgical tubing for use as the engine in certain snares. It's really a priceless idea that I never though of before he said it. It can also, obviously, be used in improvised slingshots and short-distance bows and spearguns as well as drinking tubes and tourniquets, etc.

I would love to be able to make traps using those types of split-ring keyrings, I think that was a great addition to the trickbag as well. I'm screwing around with them when I can.

I'd also like to master that mini-Malaysian Whip a/k/a The Spring & Spear Trap you see in all of the U.S. Military Survival Manuals. That right there is the cat's meow with that ESEE Arrowhead.

The most luck I have ever had in the woods with traps were jaw traps, Conibears and Victor rat traps. Those cheap Victor rat traps will keep you in squirrels!

Other than that, as far as twist the wire yourself stuff, the best results I have ever had is with that goofyassed squirrel pole I first read about in Paul Risk's book.

I've had some drag snares work but that squirrel pole is the one!
 
I like that split ring set up a lot! I'm gonna give that a try. I really like Hood's method of trigger using just quick overhand knots and a toggle. I used that trigger on a modified dead fall I put together and it was flawless and easily supported a strung up 20# +/- rock with a hair trigger.
 
I really like the split ring trap also. I also found out about that on the ESEE web site.
 
Horridus said:
I like that split ring set up a lot! I'm gonna give that a try. I really like Hood's method of trigger using just quick overhand knots and a toggle. I used that trigger on a modified dead fall I put together and it was flawless and easily supported a strung up 20# +/- rock with a hair trigger.
Click to expand...

Since you like Hood's nail trap trigger, you might want to check this out.

Doc
 
Good post and great job putting it to work.

I think the most important part to learn is how the basic triggers work - you will need to improvise and adapt to the surroundings and quarry that you wish to trap.

Something as simple as making a figure4 ambidextrous (a figure4 has a "live" side and a "dead side" otherwise) so it could be set up for either-side release could be important because there may be a good deadfall in place and the traffic may be uni-directional at a given time/season requiring you to reverse the trigger...

You may need to build a hybrid trap or improvise parts of the engine at times.

Either way, you made the crucial first step - you did *something* - have fun!
 
Don Rearic said:
Speaking of Mr. Hood, he had a brilliant idea in one of his DVDs. He carried surgical tubing for use as the engine in certain snares. It's really a priceless idea that I never though of before he said it. It can also, obviously, be used in improvised slingshots and short-distance bows and spearguns as well as drinking tubes and tourniquets, etc.
Hadn't thought of that, I would think a 3 or 4 foot section would be awfully handy. I was also thinking that an aligator clip of some sort with a hook attached may be used in place of the trigger stick. Not sure if it would hold?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
DOC-CANADA said:
Since you like Hood's nail trap trigger, you might want to check this out.

Doc
Click to expand...

that was awesome! i'm getting Ron's DVDs in the post shortly, and that's one of the MUST HAVES that i chose out of the ten titles to pick from.

going to have to go and peruse the ESEE website too. i love this stuff.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Since you like Hood's nail trap trigger, you might want to check this out.

Doc
Click to expand...

Yeah, I like that method too. Real quick and easy to find Y sticks out here. Haven't set one up in a long time though. If you get a chance you can check out the set up I did with the other mechanism on my youtube video... Fast forward to 4:25 or so if you just want to see Hood's nail mechanism in action. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2GKplnLiPQ

edit: oops, just followed your other two links in that post! Didn't look at the full post at first. Thought it was just going to be the "L7". Very nice diagrams and examples. I wish I got a close up of my set up but I don't think I did. I'll have to check the camera card. Also, I didn't want to post on that thread and then get yelled at for bumping an older thread, but there was a question of if ice and freezing rain would clog up the trigger mech and make it not work right, and I can tell you with first hand experience that it will not! :) The stored energy in whatever machine mechanism used is plenty to break free of light frozen rain.

Last edit, I promise: I just checked out the whole thread and all I can say is very impressive modifications! Now you have to check out my video. ;)
 
Last edited:
Horridus said:
Yeah, I like that method too. Real quick and easy to find Y sticks out here. Haven't set one up in a long time though. If you get a chance you can check out the set up I did with the other mechanism on my youtube video... Fast forward to 4:25 or so if you just want to see Hood's nail mechanism in action. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2GKplnLiPQ

edit: oops, just followed your other two links in that post! Didn't look at the full post at first. Thought it was just going to be the "L7". Very nice diagrams and examples. I wish I got a close up of my set up but I don't think I did. I'll have to check the camera card. Also, I didn't want to post on that thread and then get yelled at for bumping an older thread, but there was a question of if ice and freezing rain would clog up the trigger mech and make it not work right, and I can tell you with first hand experience that it will not! :) The stored energy in whatever machine mechanism used is plenty to break free of light frozen rain.

Last edit, I promise: I just checked out the whole thread and all I can say is very impressive modifications! Now you have to check out my video. ;)
Click to expand...

Thank you. I have high speed lite which charges me extra for going over a certain amount of downloads (I saw that yours is 14 minutes :eek: ) so I'll try to watch it at work. Sounds interesting.

Doc
 
Went back out and tried this again using an alligator clip with a 30# fishing lead and hook for a trigger. This can be made to work by flattening out the teeth on the alligator clip (or using one with no teeth). Ran the lead back up through the ring that is connected to the snare. I like the lead and hook ran the way it is, if the snare doesn't succeed on its own you may get lucky and snag a squirrel with it. I think I will do away with the alligator clip, and keep the rest attached to a short dowel for a trigger.

trapssnares8.jpg
 
I am going to buy a gold membership just to sell my esee knives, because i dont support you guys slowly strangling little animals to death. HAH! just kidding.

Im going to head out today and try that split ring out, see if i cant catch a squirrel or something
 
Might have to see what I can mod. using some of these triggers and a few other ideas. Of course using ESEE products :)

DSC03011.jpg
 
Nice Parrish! I used to have one but it went up for sale in the great struggle a few years ago.

Always wanted both of the Benson mantrapping books and the couple Martin did, as you have one of them. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top