Deadfall Traps
This web page shows two deadfall set-ups built entirely with abo tools (i.e., the wood collection and crafting into traps was done without the aid of metal tools). Both of these deadfalls have been set for nuisance red squirrels with the necessary weight to be lethal. Though it may look like padded ground in the images, it is quite frozen and creates a suitable impact surface. Because many websites and manuals detail the setup of these two traps, I will not explain them from scratch. Rather, I will highlight some points for making these with abo tools.
The Paiute deadfall shown below follows the style outlined by John McPherson. The upper, horizontal stick is placed in the fork of the supporting stick (A), which lends stability against winter winds and eliminates the need to cut one notch, which is slower without a metal blade. The trigger (B) is made to be sensitive to the actions of a red squirrel by making the baited stick (C) pointed where it touches the other portion of the trigger (B). The point was created by rubbing it on a rough rock at an angle. I found it helpful to have two types of stone tools for crafting the traps. One of which was serrated (the upper in the image below), to help create notches, and the other of which has a straight edge, for cutting and planing. This Paiute trap has two rocks leaning for the deadfall (in order to create lethal weight).
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| view of Paiute deadfall trap | diagram of Paiute deadfall trap | detail of Paiute trigger | stone tools used to create both traps |
The figure-4 deadfall shown below uses a bent (but not completely broken) stick to provide 2 portions of the trap (a separate upright stick provides the third and final portion). The bent stick allowed me to avoid cutting one notch that the traditional figure-4 deadfall would have. With the method shown, I needed to make four "cuts" with the stone tools (note: it is possible to build this trap without any cuts). One cut was a notch where the upright stick would fit into (A). Another, was a point at the top of the upright stick to fit into the aforementioned notch (also A). The third was a notch in the horizontal stick (C). The fourth and final "cut" was to create two flat surfaces that meet in a sharp angle that will fit into the aforementioned notch (also C). These flat surfaces were created by scraping with the straight-edged piece of flint and took only a few minutes to construct. Two items to note about this trap. First, the cord wrapping around the bent stick in the final image was to prevent further splitting (which would not be necessary if I had selected a more pliable branch). Second, the deadfall rock used in this trap is a little too short. An additional 10 to 20 cm would have been ideal to prop the rock at a lower angle and create a faster deadfall.
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| view of figure-4 deadfall trap | diagram of figure-4 deadfall trap | detail of figure-4 trigger | bent stick to eliminate need to create additional notches |
In the final image of the figure-4 deadfall, you can see the bait used (which was peanut butter). When using a substance like this, I prefer to wrap the trigger stick in a short length of cord and smear the bait within the wraps of the cord. This makes it more difficult for the animal to remove the bait without upsetting the balance of the trigger stick.