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How to Make Foot Traps

Foot traps, such as the Apache foot hold trap, aren't necessarily intended to trap and hold an animal until the hunter arrives. The Apache trap, for example, should be used in conjunction with a snare. The trap actually forces the animal to struggle, causing the snare to tighten around the animal's trapped leg. Foot traps were traditionally used to trap deer and other large game.

Things You'll Need

Shovel
12-inch stakes
Knife or hatchet
Rope or cord

Instructions

- 1
  Select a spot for your trap near at least one strong tree.
- 2
  Dig a deep, narrow hole in the ground, up to 20 inches deep, and just large enough for your intended prey to step into.
- 3
  Sharpen the ends of your stakes to points with a knife or hatchet. You need enough stakes to place several spikes around the hole in at least three layers.
- 4
  Drive the blunt ends of the spikes into the inside of the hole so the sharp end points toward the inside of the open hole. Angle the spikes ends downward slightly toward the bottom of the hole.
- 5
  Place a loop of rope -- your snare -- on top of the top layer of spikes where an animal can step through it into the hole. Tie the other end of the snare rope around a nearby tree.
- 6
  Cover the snare rope and the foot trap with grass, twigs and leaves you find nearby to camouflage the trap.

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