Bushcraft Stuff

The Paiute deadfall is an Indian trap used for catching or killing small game.

You can use this type of trap with a box or crate instead of a deadfall which will allow you to trap animals rather than kill them.

 

 

 

 

This trap is in my mind better than the figure 4 trap for several reasons:-

1. It is easier to set.

2. It has a more sensitive trigger.

3. You’re hands are safer when setting it as they are out of the way and will not get hurt if the deadfall should drop.

STEP 1 Gather the materials.

You will need few materials for this trap.

· A small length of cordage.

· Two sticks equal in diameter, one roughly eight inches long the other roughly six and a half inches long.

· A long skinny trigger stick (longer than needed is good, you can trim it to fit).

· A three inch toggle stick (a little fatter than your trigger stick).

· A deadfall (rock or heavy log) or a box or crate.

STEP 2 Cordage and toggle.

Attach the cordage to one end of the support stick (the six and a half inch long stick) and the other end of the cordage to the middle of the three inch toggle stick.

STEP 3 Set upright and deadfall.

Find a site to setup your deadfall trap. Think of what your prey is, set the trap in an appropriate area where your prey is likely to be found. Also make sure the deadfall trap is set up on hard ground, the ground will act as an anvil for the deadfall to drop onto (crushing your prey between the deadfall and hard ground). Push your stick which is going to form the upright (the eight inch long stick) about two inches into the ground and lean it slightly, in the direction of where the deadfall will be.

STEP 4 Set trap.

This is where you will bait and set your trap up. Even though this is a sensitive trigger, you want to rub your bait into the trigger stick, or attach it to a piece of string which is tied to the trigger stick. You want your prey to have to pull down on the trigger stick. Take your support stick (the six and half inch stick) and place the end without the cord on top of the upright stick (eight inch stick, stuck in the ground). Now place the edge of your deadfall on the other end of the support stick. Now hold your cord tight so that the support stick doesn’t let the deadfall down. Now bring the cord around the upright like in the picture below and hold it there. You are now ready to place the trigger stick.

STEP 5 Place trigger stick.

This is the most frustrating part of the whole trap set up… Place one end of the trigger stick against the toggle so that the toggle cannot unwrap from around the upright. Now take the other end of the trigger stick and make it stick to the underside of the deadfall. If it stays congratulations. You can trim the trigger stick to give you a perfect fit between toggle and deadfall. Now you’re ready to catch game.

 

 

 

If you are in a situation in which you need to use a trap such as this to catch food for your survival, don’t just set one, set many. Each trap increases your chances of a meal.

WARNING Before using this trap (or any other) Please be aware that trapping is illegal in many countries. Only use this knowledge if you are in a serious survival situation. Be sensible and never abandon set traps. Disassemble them so they are safe. Check traps regularly.

 

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