How to Build a DIY Live Animal Trap

Mesh wire traps are humane, easy to construct, and reusable, making them ideal for off-grid living or SHTF scenarios.

FOOD PREPPING

9/5/20247 min read

a husband wife ready to catch an animal for food during shtf

How to Make a Homemade Animal Trap Out of Mesh Wire

In a survival situation or even in rural living, knowing how to make a homemade animal trap can provide a reliable source of food. One of the most effective traps for small game, like rabbits, squirrels, or similar animals, is a simple wire mesh trap. Mesh wire traps are humane, easy to construct, and reusable, making them ideal for off-grid living or SHTF scenarios.

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This guide will walk you through the process of building a basic homemade animal trap using mesh wire.

I remember the first time I realized how critical it was to understand the art of catching animals for survival. At this point, I had never gone hunting or caught an animal other than a ground hog living under my front steps. I was consulting with a private security client. This person had a TON of prepping gear but needed to downsize, reorganize, and come up with tactical plans. I actually ended up buying some gear from him. The meeting was to come up with various defensive maps and using construction vehicles to grade the land defensively. We used transparent overlays for each disaster battle plan scenario and created dossiers for all neighbors and resources within 5 miles. This allowed him to properly address evacuation routes during a disaster as well as setting up defensive positions during shtf. We were discussing contingency plans for his remote estate when the question arose: what happens when the food runs out? His pantry was stocked with freeze-dried meals and canned goods, but those provisions only last so long. He also had 500 gallons of clean drinking water ready.

He looked at me confidently and took me on a tour of his land. Besides chickens for eggs, he showed me how he made primitive home made traps to catch small game. He also created an eco-sytem for deer for the last 5 years. In my stay there, i saw maybe 40 deer or more. That moment stuck with me. It wasn’t just about him; it was about the countless others who’d never considered the primal skills that could mean the difference between life and death. Including me, the concept of creating an animal ecosystem on your land AND learning to make primitive traps was something that was new to me. I focused so heavily on dry food 30 year storage, chickens, and the ability to hunt, that i didn't think of stocking up your land by luring in animals to give them a home. For when shtf starts, you have your animals as a humble hunter, the food from God to consume.

When resources dwindle, and the grocery stores are emptied, knowledge becomes the true currency of survival. Hunting and trapping, skills once taken for granted by our ancestors, are now relegated to hobbies or professions for the few. Yet, these abilities remain as critical as ever. Understanding how to identify, track, and capture animals in the wild can provide a sustainable food source when modern conveniences fail. The act of catching animals isn’t just a physical endeavor; it’s a mental chess game against creatures whose survival instincts far surpass ours in their natural habitats.

The first step in mastering this craft is learning to read the environment. The woods, plains, or mountains aren’t just backdrops; they are alive with signs if you know how to look. Tracks, droppings, and even disturbed foliage are nature’s roadmaps to animal behavior. I’ve worked with specialists who could look at a single footprint and discern the size, weight, and gait of the animal that left it. This knowledge isn’t the stuff of novels or movies; it’s real and painstakingly acquired through observation and experience.

Trapping is another essential skill, and it’s as much an art as it is a science. A well-placed snare or deadfall can yield results without expending precious energy in pursuit. But placement is everything. I recall one particular training exercise where we set up snares along a game trail, only to find them empty day after day. It wasn’t until we adjusted the height and added subtle guides to funnel the animals into the traps that success followed. The lesson was clear: improvisation and adaptation are key to survival. Game cams are a great tool from catching trespassers to finding animals movement habits. In addition, security cameras for home defense can also be used for this, by setting the animal detection feature to ON.

Beyond the mechanics, there’s a psychological barrier many people face when it comes to catching and killing animals. For those unaccustomed to it, the act can be unsettling, even distressing. But necessity is a powerful motivator. I’ve seen individuals who swore they could never harm a creature come to grips with the reality of survival. With guidance and a clear understanding of why these skills are needed, most people can overcome their hesitations. It’s not about being ruthless; it’s about respecting the natural order and ensuring your survival.

Another layer of complexity is understanding the legality and ethics of hunting, even in survival situations. Depending on where you are, laws governing wildlife can vary, and knowing them beforehand can save you trouble in less dire times. But when survival is on the line, pragmatism takes precedence. It’s critical to remember that every decision you make in the wild has a ripple effect on the ecosystem. Overhunting or indiscriminate trapping can lead to unintended consequences that could jeopardize long-term survival efforts.

Mastering the ability to catch animals for food requires preparation, practice, and a mindset shift. It’s not a skill that can be learned overnight or from reading a manual. It’s earned through hours in the field, hands-on experience, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. When the unthinkable happens and the familiar safety nets disappear, those who’ve taken the time to prepare will have a fighting chance. The question isn’t if these skills are valuable but whether you’ll have them when they’re needed most.

Materials You Will Need:

Wire Mesh (Hardware Cloth or Chicken Wire): 1/2 inch or 1-inch mesh works best for trapping small animals. Ensure it’s sturdy and corrosion-resistant for outdoor use.
Wire Cutters: To cut the mesh to the desired size.
Pliers: For bending and securing the wire.
Cable Ties or Metal Wire: To secure the mesh joints.
Bait: Depending on the type of animal you are targeting, you can use bait like fruits, nuts, peanut butter, or meat.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Homemade Mesh Wire Animal Trap:

1. Design the Trap

First, decide on the size of your trap. For small game like rabbits or squirrels, a trap that is about 12 inches high, 12 inches wide, and 24 inches long should suffice. This size is large enough to capture an animal while still being portable.

2. Cut the Wire Mesh

Using your wire cutters, cut five panels of wire mesh for the trap:

Two identical panels for the sides (12 x 24 inches)
One panel for the top (12 x 24 inches)
One panel for the back (12 x 12 inches)
One panel for the bottom (12 x 24 inches)

Cut a sixth panel that will serve as the door, measuring slightly larger than the opening at the front of the trap. Ensure it is big enough to cover the entire front but can still move easily.

3. Assemble the Box Frame

Using your pliers and cable ties (or metal wire), assemble the five main panels (two sides, top, bottom, and back) into a rectangular box frame. The mesh should be secured tightly at all edges to prevent any gaps where the animal could escape. Make sure the joints are strong, especially if the trap will be used frequently.

Secure the bottom panel to the sides.
Attach the back panel, securing it firmly to the side and bottom pieces.
Finally, attach the top panel.

Once assembled, the front of the trap will be open, as this is where you will install the door.

4. Create the Trap Door Mechanism

For the trap to work, the animal needs to enter but not be able to exit. Here’s how to create a basic one-way trap door mechanism:

Attach the door panel: Using wire or cable ties, attach the top of the front door panel to the top of the trap so that it swings freely. This will allow the door to open inward when the animal enters but close once it’s inside.
Install a simple trigger: Use a thin piece of wire or stick to prop the door open at a slight angle. Attach a piece of bait to the end of the trigger mechanism so that when the animal enters and touches the bait, the prop will fall, closing the door behind them.

5. Add the Bait

Place the bait at the very back of the trap to ensure that the animal fully enters. Choose bait based on the type of animal you are trying to catch:

Rabbits: Fresh vegetables like carrots or leafy greens.
Squirrels: Nuts, seeds, or peanut butter.
Mice or Rats: Grains or small pieces of bread

Make sure the bait is secure and positioned in such a way that the animal must trigger the door to access it.

6. Secure the Trap Door Shut

Once the animal is inside, you’ll need to ensure the trap door stays shut. To make the door mechanism more effective, you can bend the bottom of the door slightly inward. This allows the door to open only in one direction, making it difficult for the animal to push it open from the inside.

For added security, you can add a spring-loaded system with rubber bands or a piece of elastic that automatically pulls the door shut when the trigger is activated.

7. Set the Trap

Place the trap in an area where you’ve seen animal activity, such as near a burrow, food source, or water supply. Make sure the trap is camouflaged by covering it lightly with leaves or branches, ensuring it blends into the environment but does not hinder its function.

Additional Tips:

Check the Trap Frequently: You don’t want to leave the animal trapped for too long, as this can cause unnecessary suffering or make the meat spoil.
Relocate the Trap if Necessary: If your trap doesn’t catch anything after a few days, try relocating it to a different area.