The principal of snares is simple and effective.  They are extremely effective on fox, coon,  beaver and coyote.  By nature such animals travel the path of least resistance such as deer trails, ravines, fence holes, logs over deep ditches, culverts under roads, beaver dams in deep water, dead furrows, truck tracks through tall grass and trails they have established between their dens and food supplies.
   Unless an animal has a good reason to act to the contrary it will take the path of least resistance.  This principle is what makes snaring so effective.   In areas where coon, fox or coyote exist, find a path, gully, log crossing, fence, dugout, culvert or other features that restricts the LINE OF TRAVEL and place a snare DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER OF THE LINE OF TRAVEL. 

Fox, coon and coyote meet hundreds of small obstacles such as branches, weeds or vines every time they travel and will walk right into a snare as if it were just another weed or branch.  They have no ideas they are in trouble until it is too late.   Many snares are put in paths because they are the most abundant feature that restricts the line of travel such that a snare can be used.   To set a snare put the snare and a "Pig-Tail" Support on your stake and stake it next to the trail.  Adjust the snare loop to the desired diameter and plug in the "Pig-Tail" Support.  The "Pig-Tail" Support can now be bent to adjust the height and -position of the snare.  When the snare loop is the right size and height and is in the center of the trail,  the set is complete.

Fast, easy and effective.    If you do not have any "Pig-Tails" Supports, soft nine gauge wire is the best substitute.  Be sure the nine gauge wire is wrapped several times around the stake so the snare is in a stable position.  If the snare doesn't have a support collar, wrap the support wire around the snare next to the snare loop.          Groundhog, opossum 5-6” dia. loop 2” high         Fox 8” diameter loop 8” high         Coon 6-8” loop 3-5” off the ground         Coyote 10-12” diameter loop 10-12” high         Beaver 10” diameter loop 2-3” off the ground    Stake snares down better than you would stake a trap, because your catch will be pulling with all four legs.     Swiveled Snare Shop Snares have swivels that fit easily on either 3/8" of 1/2" rebar stakes.  The entire lock and snare loop can also be slipped through the swivel to function as a tree lock or an adjustable snare tie off.

SNARE PARTS

Swivel Allows snare to turn on stake. This prevents the cable from getting twisted and keeps the animal more comfortable.
Support Collar Often referred to as a wammy. After the snare loop is opened to the desired diameter the support collar is slid next to the lock. A pigtail support or nine-gauge support wire is then plugged into the support collar. The pigtail support or support wire is then bent to position the loop to the exact position desired.
Lock Prevents the snare loop from opening after a catch is made.
Deer Stop Stops the snare loop from closing completely, thus allowing leg caught deer to escape.
Cable End Steel or aluminum at each end of snare cable that holds everything together.