Spring Snare

From WildernessWiki.org

DISCLAIMER:
The information in this article is for survival purposes only. Unless in a survival situation, never leave a trap like the one described unattended. Not only may it be illegal, but non-target creatures, including pets and children, may be killed. For practice, build the trap and test the trigger mechanism, but be sure to disassemble it before you leave.

Completed Snare

This article shows how to build a snare which is quickly constructed and well-suited to survival situations. Passing prey will entangle itself in the loop which dislodges a trigger mechanism. The force of a sapling or branch springing back to its original position will then tighten the snare and lift the prey off of the ground.

1 Materials and Tools
2 Construction
3 Images
4 Additional Views

Materials and Tools

Knife
Spring - A sapling or tree branch over the location of your snare which is flexible and will spring back to its natural position
Cord such as cordage made from available materials or Paracord
A straight branch about as thick as a finger

Construction

Glance at the photos below before reading these instructions to help make things more clear.

Take the finger thick branch and cut it in two. If possible, use a larger knife or machete to do so in a single swipe at about a thirty degree angle. If using a smaller knife, proceed to carve one end of each at about a thirty degree angle.
Into each angled cut, cut a notch, so that the two can be joined together and hold under lateral tension, but slip apart if disturbed from the side.
Sharpen one of the two pieces to a point. This end will be hammered into the ground as a stake, and must be able to resist being pulled up. Take the other stick, and carve a notch which cord can be tied to behind the angled cut.
Stake the pointed stick into the ground. Tie one end of a cord to the other stick, leaving about 18" of cord to one end, and the remainder of the cord to the other.
Tie the 18" section of cord into a sliding noose. This is most easily done by tying a small Bowline at the end of the cord onto itself.
Tie the other end of the cord to the sapling or flexible branch.
Bring the trigger piece to the stake in the ground, and let the notches hold it in place.
Support the loop upright utilizing a natural feature or by inserting a second stake into the ground.