View Full Version : snaring rabbits....
iv just got into bushcraft :-D and im wondering how to catch rabbits and birds in the wild with snares or traps, any advice anyone.......... cheers
wayne
Remember the Legal considerations that go along with this sort of thing :0:
There are a couple of guys on here that are very proficient in this area, I am sure they will have some advice for you :-D
First off you need permission from the landowner or his appointed representative, secondly, they must be checked AT LEAST TWICE every 24 hours. They need to be free running and not the self- locking type.
You will need one wooden stake and 2 small forked sticks for every snare you set. Find a rabbit run (the small pathways they use) hammer the stake into the ground and tie the snare to it. The loop needs to be the size of your fist and 4 finger widths off the ground resting on the 2 fork sticks. Handle everything as little as possible and rub everything with soil or hold it in the smoke over a fire to mask your scent. (Rabbits have an extremely good sense of smell). Be prepared that when you go to the snare the rabbit may still be alive, so you will have to kill it yourself. REMEMBER ONLY KILL FOR FOOD AND NOT FOR FUN!
Also please remember you are not allowed to place a snare at the entrance of a burrow.
When looking for a run, check wire fences, its easy to see where the vegitation has been flattened by constant use. Check that the run is in use (look for fresh tracks and spore), Its no good setting a snare on an old run.
It may be worth blocking off other runs and gaps in the fence to increase your chances of success.
And remember.... the more snares you set, the more likely you are to get a catch. No point in putting out 1 or 2.... If you want to eat, set 20+
If I think of anything else, I'll post more.
:-)
Ed
thanks 4 that its a big help, but has anyone got pictures of the snaire set up or drawings....cheers
wayne
The traditonal 8 braid brass snare with tether and stake looks like the one here
http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsDetail1.asp?STOCK_CODE =3101
...don't think much of their stake though.
The stake is hammered into the ground, and the wire loop secured 4 fingers above the ground by a couple of sticks.
Hope the pic on the link helps, Its the best I could find.
:-)
Ed
Powderburn
06-01-2004, 02:13
http://wmuma.com/tracker/skills/snares/index.html
Just a quick note, remember if you set any number of snares, pick the same number up when you are finished.
ditchfield
06-01-2004, 22:21
Be sure that the run that you set the snare on is frequented by rabbit, not badgers or foxes. In my area we have a large number of badger runs very locally. I know the location of these but to someone new to the area you may make a mistake. Remember, killing badgers is illegal. The previous owner of our house used to kill badgers and foxes and stuff them. On an unrelated note, now he is in prison, for a different offence I hasten to add. :-)
I've just been having a quick read up on my trap and snare law and it also states that you may not place a snare on or in a fence..... just incase you find a run going through a fence, you should follow the run and place your snare somewhere along it, NOT attach it to the fence.
Ed
good luck with the snare's there ilegal to use in guernsey
Isnt it also illegal to set any snare with a spring mechanisam?
Thats correct as far as I know. Laws governing snares and traps is very tight. It seems adding a spring to a snare makes it illegal and changes it from a snare to a spring trap in the eyes of the law and the law on these is even tighter..... (there are legaly aproved commercialy available spring traps listed for use by game-keepers etc...)
Ed
Roving Rich
19-01-2004, 14:52
Yep, and its illegal to use any self locking snare :twisted:
Rich
the naughty boy
31-03-2004, 10:36
when i was a lad i set a few snares.with the intention of catching my first few rabbits...the only thing i caught was my cat!!!
thankfully as it was my first time i could hardly keep away from them and so found my moggie before any real damage had been done.
if i,m setting any now and it is very very rarely, then its on a summers evening when i set them out side their warren and sit and watch them from a distance. there are that many of em that theyre out again in fifteen minutes after i initially scare them underground.
far better to get proficient with an air rifle though- and dont wipe out the bunnies as theyre always nice to look at too. :-D
How do you make a snare wire?
the naughty boy
30-04-2004, 22:57
no idea i just buy them as they are so cheap m8
Where do you buy them from? I mean how do you create the snare (not the wire [or is that what you meant?] :wink: ).
On bearclaw Gary is selling snare wire pack of three. Is that the wire or the actual snare?
Cheers,
Jake :oops: :-D
Talking to my Grandad as he used to set a lot of snares on the farm he worked at, and fastening them to a small branch or tree will lift the rabbit off of the floor upon capture, thus stopping any other predators eating your catch. Would this class as being spring loaded though?
How would that work?
Is there a health danger when preparing and eating wild rabbit?
Cheers,
Jake
Is there a health danger when preparing and eating wild rabbit?
Cheers,
Jake
Common sence things in handling raw meat apply, clean your hands and knife when you've done, that sort of thing. Other than that eat fresh rabbit and cook it properly like any meat and it'll be fine, been doing it for years without a single problem.
Cheers
David
Thanks David,
What about if you ruptured a colon/bladder? Would that make a difference. I have no knowledge about skinning techniques. What about asking a butcher? Our butcher is almost a family freind!
Cheers,
Jake
Well,
Rabbit really needs to be gutted in the field as soon as possible after you have dispached it, I've never had the problem of rupturing the innards, just need to take it carefully. If I remember right Hugh F-W gives some pretty clear instructions in at least one of his books, certainly better than I can manage here.
As for skinning a rabbit once gutted it is just a matter of lop off the feet, head and tail and peel it! That can be done when you have got it home. Rabbit is at its best when fresh, no nead to hang it, hare on the other hand does benefit from hanging but there are relativley few around so I leave them be.
Cheers
David
Talking to my Grandad as he used to set a lot of snares on the farm he worked at, and fastening them to a small branch or tree will lift the rabbit off of the floor upon capture, thus stopping any other predators eating your catch. Would this class as being spring loaded though?
Yes.... I'm afrais so.... that is classed as a spring trap and therfore is illegal as it doesn't appear on the list
:-)
Ed
I bought some snare wire from Gary. Is it a pack of three snares or is it a 3-pack of the wire?
Cheers,
Jake
I bought some snare wire from Gary. Is it a pack of three snares or is it a 3-pack of the wire?
Cheers,
Jake
It's wire to make snares with - a great, relaxing thingto do of an evening!
a great, relaxing thingto do of an evening!
... or use stuarts method...... Hang the strands of snare wire from a door handle with a 3kg weight on the end... spin the weight... and it twist braids the strands perfectly and even :-)
:-)
Ed
a great, relaxing thingto do of an evening!
... or use stuarts method...... Hang the strands of snare wire from a door handle with a 3kg weight on the end... spin the weight... and it twist braids the strands perfectly and even :-)
:-)
Ed
Great trick!
Talking to my Grandad as he used to set a lot of snares on the farm he worked at, and fastening them to a small branch or tree will lift the rabbit off of the floor upon capture, thus stopping any other predators eating your catch. Would this class as being spring loaded though?
Yes.... I'm afrais so.... that is classed as a spring trap and therfore is illegal as it doesn't appear on the list
:-)
Ed
Bugger was hoping sprung traps where only those like the Gin/Man traps.
Another old trick that again I'm not sure if its allowed now is setting nets up along a fence line in the middle of the night, then go into the field and make a load of noise, all the rabbits should then run into the nets (especially if they're placed over runs). Has this been made illegal as well?
Another old trick that again I'm not sure if its allowed now is setting nets up along a fence line in the middle of the night, then go into the field and make a load of noise, all the rabbits should then run into the nets (especially if they're placed over runs). Has this been made illegal as well?
Yes this is illegal and with good reason. Nets like this (including long nets and gate nets) are not species specific. When you scare the wildlife in the field you could trap birds from the hedgerows or other mamals that are protected by law. As far as I am aware you need to be licensed to use nets in this way.
Hope this helps
Ed
Yup cheers mate, totally new to the world of snares etc (as if you hadn't alread guessed :oops: ) so will take a while to find my feet. Spent a lot of time talking to people who used to do it but most aren't aware of recent laws.
Regards to the snare making...do i just make nosses with a bit to attach to a peg?
Cheers,
Jake
As long as its free running its fine. Have a look here
http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsDetail1.asp?STOCK_CODE =3101
and
http://www.euroguns.co.uk/acatalog/Fox_snares.html
to look at commercialy available snares.... you'll get the idea. You can get brass eyelets so your snare runs freely and snags less, but I've never had a problem.
Ed
Yep! thats all they are, free running nooses of 6 to 8 strand braided wire (normaly soft brass). This is then usualy tethered to a stake which is driven into the ground.
;-)
Ed
6 to 8 strand braided wire
Does that mean i have to braid 6 of them into something similiar to rope?
Cheers,
Jake :oops:
Does that mean i have to braid 6 of them into something similiar to rope?
Thats correct.... just twist the strands to make a rope/cord, which you use to make your noose. Single strand snares are illegal in the uk as far as I know ......
;-)
Ed
Single strand snares are illegal in the uk as far as I know ......
Curious. Do you know why?
I understand why spring-snares, etc aren't allowed but what advantage does the single strand give over multi strand?
Cheers Ed,
Why are single strands illegal?
cheers,
Jake
Why are single strands illegal?
ummmm thats a hard one... but in 'theory' if a larger animal, say a deer, got its foot caught in a single strand snare, it would tear into the flesh, crippling the animal leaving you to dispatch it when you check your snares!!!. With a multi braided snare, it wont cut in (in theory).... a deer will probably pull the steak out of the ground... or with free running snares, may get its foot out.
This though is all 'theory' and its a whole different ball game in practice.
;-)
Ed
Ed, all your winking is scaring me! :wink:
I thought that would be the case. Perhaps it doesnt allow you to choose if you want to despatch your prey, cos if the snare is thin it will cut the prey, and probably kill it.
I just made my first snare...Measurments are...when the snare is fist width from the top od the noose to the bottom of the "tail" (if you know what i mean) is about 27cm stretched. And about ten inches. is that right? I made it with three wires. It seems sufficient, i cant imagine it cutting a bunny.
Cheers,
Jake
:wink:
you may well find that three strands is illigal!!!!!!! :shock:
the minimum number of strands in a british snare as far as i am aware is six
Perhaps it doesnt allow you to choose if you want to despatch your prey, cos if the snare is thin it will cut the prey, and probably kill it.
Recently every rabbit I've caught in an 8 braid snare was dead when I checked the snares..... only twice did they have to be dispatched it by hand
I just made my first snare...Measurments are...when the snare is fist width from the top od the noose to the bottom of the "tail" (if you know what i mean) is about 27cm stretched. And about ten inches. is that right?
As long as you can make a fist size loop/noose (about 10cm diameter) it'll catch a rabbit. I have experimented with minimul length wire ie; 10cm dia loop/noose attached straight to a cord tether, any they seem fine.
I made it with three wires. It seems sufficient, i cant imagine it cutting a bunny.
But would it cut into a deers leg? I'd stick to 6 and 8 braid to stay well within the law.
Ed
(see.... no winks)
What do you use as a tether Ed?
What do you use as a tether Ed?
I have used... a leather thong, paracord, platted garden twine, string, nettle cordage, and probably many more..... but most of all I use wool as it is strong and has alot of stretch in it.
:-)
Ed
Whats the tether for?
It wouldnt cut into a deer either, wouldnt 8 be too thick?
Jake
:wink:
The tether is how you attach the snare to someting so Mr Bunny doesn't just dissapear off with a nice brass necklace!
bushwacker bob
06-05-2004, 23:56
The tether is how you attach the snare to someting so Mr Bunny doesn't just dissapear off with a nice brass necklace!
I've seen that bunny! :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao:
Oh, but isnt the snare attached to a peg stuck firmly into the ground? Or do you then attach the tether to something else as well?
Cheers,
Jake
The snare is attached to the tether and the tether is then attached to the peg or whatever. You can go straight from snare to peg but you use more wire that way.
But what would hold the snare up for the bunny to put its head through? Surely if it was just a bit of nylon cord it would be flat on the ground?
oops,
Jake :-D
Depends on how and where you site the snare (this is where I wish I could draw a diagram!!!!). You can use small twigs to hold the snare up or atacht he tether to a peg and peg it to the ground but use the free end of the wire loop to support the snare.
Here's an example:
http://www.pcoutfitters.on.ca/snaring%20a%20rabbit3.htm
Oh! Thats pretty obvious! Cheers Adi
BTW In that photo, he must have a pretty big fist.
Cheers,
Jake :-)
BTW In that photo, he must have a pretty big fist.
Or small trees!
Thats what i thought, but the snare looks about 4 inches off the ground!
Here's a picture that makes things a little clearer ... notice the support peg at the front of the snare too.
http://www.kingsley-hughes.com/outdoors/bcuk/run.jpg
See the run there ... this isn't real (I faked it quickly) but it gives you an idea of how you'd place the snare.
Thanks Adi, i appreciate it!
I see what is needed then, very clear. I wont make my snares so big then, i was under the impression that the snare was attached to a peg but that makes sense!
Cheers
Jake :-D
FYI, the snares I'm using there are 8-strand (4-strand folded over). Probably about 14 inches of wire looped.
4-strand folded over
for that do you make two 4-strand and then join them?
4-strand folded over
for that do you make two 4-strand and then join them?
No, they're a 28-inch of 4-strand brass wire folded over with a eyelet in the end, then twisted, giving a 14-inch or so snare.
Eyelets are like the ones here:
http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsDetail1.asp?STOCK_CODE =3105
I'll try and get a picture of one later for you are a guide for making your own.
Oh! I see. Logical! If you would Adi that would be great. Thanks for all the help!
Cheers,
Jake
OK this picture should make things clearer!
the snare is attached Via the tether to whatever is holding it in place
http://img57.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/snare.jpg
note the pegs to guide the rabbit into the snare and the triangle shape of the wire where the tether is attached which helps the snare to stay in place
this is one of Eds snares that we set up whilst out last weekend
remember that you must have the permsion of the land owner (as we did)
and i recommend that you find somone who has experiance of laying snares (like your local game keeper) to show you how to do it on your first trip
Cheers Stuart,
that does make it clear. Ill make sure i do it legitamatly, i know the land owner of the place in mind.
Its just a question of finding a run!
Cheers,
Jake
the naughty boy
10-05-2004, 18:24
hey jakey m8 have you ever had to kill a rabbit b4,dont forget that snaring dosent kill the bunny instantly and you may come across one that is still kicking and squealing[ no kidding]
bear this in mind when snaring,also please bear in mind that it is a f :***: g horrible way for any animal to die........just a thought. air rifles are the way to go but thats just my opinion :wink:
Cheers naughty boy, i thought of that, and i was wondering if i would have the stomach to do it!
But i think i'll just use a .22 calibre in the back of the head. Couldnt handle clubbing it or anything of the sort!
Cheers,
Jake
this is one (of many) reasons why i suggest you have somone with experiance when you first go out
there is no need to club it to death just quickly and calmly snap its neck
Like when dispatching a bird?
Cheers,
Jake
Slightly different
there are many ways but the way i find easiest is to slide the back of the neck between my index and middle finger with the palm faceing the back of its head and then in one movment stretch the neck and sharply rock the head back
its very quick and saves the animal any unnessicary suffering
its probably very difficult to visualise what i'm saying from my description
so take my advice and go out with somone who has done it before
otherwise you could end up in the terrible situation of trying in vain to dispatch a struggling bunny, and no matter what people say about it not bothring them it will make you feel very bad if you did'nt dispatch it quickly
Good technique Stuart ... exactly the same as I use for birds.
You make a very good point - no one should go hunting without knowing proper techniques for dispatching quarry. It's not a game or fun - it's serious and it's the respect that the animal deserves.
Gloves (such as gardening gloves) can come in handy too.
Buckshot
11-05-2004, 14:38
I normally stretch the neck, I find it easier than snapping it back - same result.
Although in my experience a properly set snare is designed to kill quickly so you rarely have to kill a snared animal. I've never had to do a rabbit and only once found a fox still alive.
That's the reason I always carry a gun when checking snares.
Cheers
Mark
I'll probably just take my airrifle with me and despatch it that way, through the head. Probably less painful as well.
Cheers,
Jake
Buckshot
12-05-2004, 08:43
Probably less painful as well.
Cheers,
Jake
For who ??? :wink:
Cheers
Mark