View Full Version : Deathfall
Can someone axplain how a deathfall works and include some pictures? I've seen a few pics but don't understans how it works.
Thanks,
Michiel
ArkAngel
06-09-2006, 11:37
Is that a deadfall or deathfall?
Never heard of a deathfall, if someone could explain that to me as well. :confused:
A deadfall is a trap that can be used to trap/kill any sized prey.
A baited trigger sets off a large heavy lump (usually a tree branch/log) that will crush the prey. Obviously the biiger the animal you are going for the heavier the "deadfall" neads to be!
Hi Michiel,
If you are talking about "Deadfall" a trap for animals, basically it is a heavy weight a log or large rock that is rigged to fall when a trip is activated by an animal.
There are a few reference in this forum, Stuart has documented someof this traps.
Moduser
Yeah that's what i meant. A deadfall. Can someone post pics of it and how to build it?
Michiel
jdlenton
06-09-2006, 11:43
have a look at these and see if they answer your questions there are other types but these should get you started
Paiute deadfall (http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/paiute/paiute01.html)
figure four deadfall (http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/figure4/figure4.html)
just a word of caution in the uk these traps are ileagal and should not be used practice by all means making these triggers is fun but dismantle your traps before you leave
oops just noticed M your in belgium i dont know there leagal status over there can anyone help?
Michiel,
Try these
http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/deadfall.html
http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/traps.htm
http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/paiute/paiute01.html
theres also a book dedicated to the art, though I have yet to see it
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0802711111?v=glance
Moduser
Yeah theres a certain one where you suspend a large weight, for example a log or rock over a tree limb with a rope and theres a release system below, thats baited. Animal takes the bait, crack. I think theres a combo one with spiked logs too. Lofty Wiseman's book is full of good ones.
jdlenton
06-09-2006, 11:48
he he:lmao: dave that book you linked to looks like fiction to me mate and not a study of trapping at all:D
amazon review:
the story begins in 1971 when plans for an American rapprochement with China are under way. The success of the mission demands a covert operation in Tibet teaming CIA operative Jeffrey Thorne and British agents Elena Maltby, an Anglo-Indian widow, and Brady, an ex-sergeant in the Irish army. Carrying a small nuclear bomb, the three climb to a mountain site to seek "Deadfall," an annihilating weapon invented and hidden by Maltby's father before Chinese soldiers killed him and his wife
:aargh4: :why: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
here's an example of a "figure 4" deadfall that stuart demo'd at last years moot. it's perched in the base of a tree to get squirrels and would typically be baited with fungi.
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/data/509/medium/fig_4.jpg
if you want to practise making trap triggers in a humane way, i highly recommend the use of kittens and laundry baskets! :D
which is to say, use the basket upside down like a cribbet trap to catch live kittens, use turkey slices as bait :rolleyes:
attempting to whittle kittens is both messy and exceedingly uncomfortable.
cheers, and.
Yeah that's what i meant. A deadfall. Can someone post pics of it and how to build it?
MichielWho has been annoying you then ? :)
It like this :twak: but a bigger stick
attempting to whittle kittens is both messy and exceedingly uncomfortable.There is a better use for cats.
Clamp one under your left arm so it is facing backwards. Put the end of the tail gently between your teeth and hold a back leg in each hand with your fingers on the underside of its feet.
At the appointed moment bite on the tail and wiggle your fingers.
Anybody watching and hearing the noise of the cat will be convinced that you are playing the bag pipes. :joke:
Tribaljamin
06-09-2006, 13:14
There is a better use for cats.
Clamp one under your left arm so it is facing backwards. Put the end of the tail gently between your teeth and hold a back leg in each hand with your fingers on the underside of its feet.
At the appointed moment bite on the tail and wiggle your fingers.
Anybody watching and hearing the noise of the cat will be convinced that you are playing the bag pipes. :joke:
Hilarious!
jdlenton
06-09-2006, 13:37
here's an example of a "figure 4" deadfall that stuart demo'd at last years moot. it's perched in the base of a tree to get squirrels and would typically be baited with fungi.
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/data/509/medium/fig_4.jpg
if you want to practise making trap triggers in a humane way, i highly recommend the use of kittens and laundry baskets! :D
which is to say, use the basket upside down like a cribbet trap to catch live kittens, use turkey slices as bait :rolleyes:
attempting to whittle kittens is both messy and exceedingly uncomfortable.
cheers, and.
thats my trigger that stuart used :D i cut my finger when i made it :o
Thanks guys. That's all the info i needed.
This is one great forum!!!
Michiel
Tribaljamin
07-09-2006, 11:00
And a slightly sick and disturbing one too.
I likey
jdlenton
07-09-2006, 11:02
Thanks guys. That's all the info i needed.
This is one great forum!!!
Michiel
your very welcome :)
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17093
have a look at these and see if they answer your questions there are other types but these should get you started
Paiute deadfall (http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/paiute/paiute01.html)
figure four deadfall (http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/figure4/figure4.html)
just a word of caution in the uk these traps are illegal and should not be used practice by all means making these triggers is fun but dismantle your traps before you leave
oops just noticed M your in belgium i dont know there legal status over there can anyone help?
They would be illegal in Belgium & the Netherlands aswell, though practising how to make them in your backgarden (or even in your local woods) wouldn't be really a problem, as long as you never ever leave them out of sight (an animal won't be caught whilst a humanbeing is within 2 metres of it - figure of speech).
Don't cut your finger like James did :nana: ;)
EDIT to add: making traps requires you to carry a knife ... check your local laws regarding knives, etc. And when practising making such a trap, don't do it where 'innocent' bypassers can see you, otherwise you scare the living daylights out of them :D
bent-stick
08-09-2006, 15:40
Mousetraps are illegal in Holland so I'd expect these to be.
I lived there for a couple of years and 'smuggled' some breakback traps in.
The last straw was when the the critters started cr*pping in my cornflakes...
...and I only noticed when I'd finished eating them (the cornflakes, not the mice).
Tribaljamin
08-09-2006, 15:46
Mousetraps are illegal in Holland so I'd expect these to be.
I lived there for a couple of years and 'smuggled' some breakback traps in.
The last straw was when the the critters started cr*pping in my cornflakes...
...and I only noticed when I'd finished eating them (the cornflakes, not the mice).
Well clarified!
Mousetraps are illegal in Holland so I'd expect these to be.
I lived there for a couple of years and 'smuggled' some breakback traps in.
The last straw was when the the critters started cr*pping in my cornflakes...
...and I only noticed when I'd finished eating them (the cornflakes, not the mice).
:rolleyes:
You mean these?
http://www.tonycolter.com/photos/potd/potd-20031107.jpg
They're as legal as can be - even overhere mice are vermin. They're available in every gardencenter you come across, some supermarkets, petshops :rolleyes: etc.
Never been illegal - although there are some people from Animal Rights, etc. who are against this method ... But that's another discussion.
bent-stick
08-09-2006, 18:33
II was told by the local tuincentrum that they were not allowed and I'd have to use poison.
Fibbers!
dont have enough time to explain this one fully at the moment, but here is a picture of a large deadfall. the details for its construction are explained in "camplife in the woods and the tricks of trapping and trap making" which can be download on the BCUK downloads page: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/content/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=196
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/data/509/deadfall.jpeg
constructed by C Claycomb and myself as a demonstration at last years bushmoot Ranger bob is the guy in the hat