Home >> Science & Nature >> Animals & Science

Fur Trapping Methods

Trapping animals is one of the oldest hunting methods. Native Americans used pit traps and snares to catch fur bearers. European fur trappers played a major role in the exploration of America as they crossed the continent looking for furry animals to trap. Trappers were the first white men to cross the Rocky Mountains as they trapped beavers to fulfil a European fashion demand for fancy fur hats. Animals trapped for fur include badgers, beavers, foxes, raccoons, muskrats, minks, martens and otters.

Trap History
- The first settlers to the New World used steel spring traps brought from Europe to catch animals for fur. During the colonial period, blacksmiths made the traps locally. In 1823, the Sewell New York Company began to mass produce steel traps with interchangeable parts to supply the growing trapping industry. In the early 1800s Samuel Newhouse made several thousand traps a year, increasing his production to 750,000 steel leg-hold traps during the Civil War years. As of 2011, most animal traps are made by the Woodstream Corporation.
Foot-Hold Traps
- Foot-hold traps, also called leg-hold traps, were developed to catch long-legged quarry such as coyotes, foxes and bobcats. The traps feature two metal jaws that snap shut when the animal steps on the trigger pan. The traps are set along well-worn animal trails or at the entrance to their burrows. The traps function as kill traps when set along the water's edge for semiaquatic animals such as muskrats or otters. The trap is anchored and drowns the animal as it dives for deeper water.
Conibear Traps
- Conibear body-gripping traps are designed to instantly kill. The animal's habits are detected by following their spoor, including tracks, droppings and trails. The trap is baited or hidden along the animal's trail or living quarters, waiting for the animal to touch the wire tripper and set off the trap, which closes on the animal's neck or torso. When trapping water-adapted animals, the conibear is set underwater or along a canal or ditch frequented by the animal. The traps are also staked down at the entrance to an animal's burrow or den.
Other Traps
- Snares are a type of wire noose hidden and anchored along a trail or in an animal's feeding area. The snare tightens around the animal's neck, restraining it. Another ancient method of trapping is by a deep pit in the ground covered by brush and leaves. The covering is light enough so the unsuspecting animal falls through it and into the hole. Cage traps are baited and used to trap animals alive as they enter and step on the trigger pan.

Animals & Science