Food
Set a figure-four deadfall trap
A simple three-stick trigger drops a heavy weight when a small animal disturbs the baited trigger stick.
Step-by-step
Cut three sticks: a vertical post, a diagonal, and a horizontal trigger — each about pencil-thick and 6–8 inches long.
Cut a chisel point on top of the post, a matching notch on the top of the trigger, and a locking notch where the diagonal crosses the post.
Assemble so the diagonal locks between the post's chisel point and the trigger's notch, holding a flat weight (rock, log slab) above.
Bait the outboard end of the trigger with something the target animal actively seeks in the current season.
Set several traps along runs and near feeding sign — check at least twice daily and dispatch caught animals immediately.
Warning: Trapping laws vary widely. In non-survival conditions, only trap where legal, in season, and with a valid license.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.