Curating Snaring Supplies and Creating Your Trapping Kit

In many areas of the country, animal populations need to be controlled in order to protect necessary human activities. For instance, bears are notorious for demolishing beehives while coyotes can be a major threat to livestock on farms. Whatever your needs, trapping is an effective method of population control for furbearers.

To be effective, trappers must have the required tools and supplies at their disposal. Not sure what you need? While the exact items your kit will contain may vary depending on your geographical location, there is some basic equipment every trapper will need.

Below, check out some of the most important tools and equipment to include when creating your own trapping kit.

Foothold Traps

Foothold traps are a tool for trappers of all experience levels. Coil spring foothold traps are a versatile tool that can be used for foxes, minks, muskrats, raccoons, and more. One of the most universal traps available, coil spring foothold traps are both compact and powerful. They are easy to conceal in the surrounding dirt, making them a great choice for targeting prey like foxes.

Wire Cutters or Pliers

When setting traps, pliers or wire cutters are a necessity. Wire cutters and/or pliers are useful, particularly when securing your traps or stakes. Another popular option for trappers includes cable cutters. Cable cutters are great for making quick, clean cuts and are useful when cutting the loops of snares.

Stakes and Anchors

You want to successfully trap your prey, so you need to prevent them from escaping and taking your traps with them. There are multiple options for stakes and much of the decision comes down to personal preference. Rebar is one of the most popular options, as are cable stakes. No matter the type of stake or anchor you choose, ensuring proper setup is crucial for effectively snaring your prey.

Gloves

Gloves are a useful, and easy-to-overlook, aspect of a trapping toolkit. When using snares, you want to transfer as little of your human scent as possible, and gloves are a great way to minimize the smell. If you are trapping prey near water, like beavers, you want to be sure to keep long, waterproof gloves on hand. A pair of animal handling gloves is also a useful item to keep in your kit, as these will allow you to safely release and handle non-target animals.

Trowel

Proper snare concealment is important, and doing so is infinitely easier by using a trowel. You can use either a large or small trowel or both for different uses. A small trowel is a great tool for setting trap beds while a larger trowel can be used to mimic game holes.

Catch Pole

In the event that non-targeted animals get caught in your trap line, a catch pole is a safe and effective way to safely release the animals.

Remember that it's important to be aware of and follow all local laws and guidelines, and you always need to have your license on you while in the field. Whether you're starting from scratch or you just need to replace some items in your trapping kit, The Snare Shop makes it easy to get all of the supplies you need in one convenient location. From attractants and bait to rebar stakes and cable anchors, we've got everything you need to create a comprehensive trapping toolkit.