Arapuca Trap

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.

Arapuca style traps are used to trap live animals. They may be useful in survival situations where food must be carried in a journey towards rescue. The text, video, and photos of this article provided by Mac.

Construction

Take your first two sticks, for simplicity lets make them 15 inches long. Lay them parallel on the ground 15 inches apart. Tie a string from the end of one to the end of the other so that the whole thing forms a box with two sides being sticks and two sides being strings.

Flip one of the sticks end to end, keeping it parallel with the other stick. This will make your strings form an X that crosses in the exact center. Take another stick, about 15 inches long and pass it over the right stick, under the string X and over the left stick. Slide it to the end of the bottom sticks so it stops against the knots tied to the bottom stick (one the same side). Repeat on the other side. You now have a square made of sticks with an X of string running on top. Continue to pass sticks over the sticks you already laid alternating sides and sliding them to the edges, making them smaller as you go.

This will wind up as a stacked, four-sided pyramid held together by pressure against the string. If you do it right you will wind up with a narrow opening at the top with a very tight X of string across the gap. To finish it off you make a simple flat roof of small sticks wedged under the X. Sometimes you need to tie a rock to the flat roof for added weight as the whole thing is pretty light and a large bird will push it up.

Construction Tips

Leave the bark on the sticks to keep them from sliding inwards against the string pressure. Bamboo tends to slide inwards. To remove the bird, slide one or two of the side sticks inwards until you can fit your hand inside and grab the bird, turn the trap over and grab the bird with the free hand.

The glory of the Arapuca is that it can be made without any tools and it is very economical with cordage. You can even make it with bark or hand made cordage if necessary. Of course, a pocket knife helps as does regular string. They also don't leave any blood on the ground or trap and will continue to produce birds as long as you have bait.

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