Stakes and Earth Anchors

To hold a captured animal, your traps or cable devices must be attached to something. Foothold traps are normally attached to a chain. For some traps, you may need annealed wire. The annealed wire, chain, or snare is attached to a stake, drag, or other object that anchors the trap or restrains the trapped animal in some way. Make sure the anchoring system is strong enough to hold the largest animal that might be trapped.

Stakes

• Stakes must be long enough to hold the largest animal you might catch. In most cases, 18" to 24" is a good length for land sets. In sandy soil, you’ll need longer stakes.
• For some stronger animals, a single stake is not enough to hold the trap. In these cases, consider cross-staking two stakes.
• It is very important to build all sets so that the stakes will hold. An animal that escapes with a trap on its foot or a cable around its body will be injured. If your stakes will not hold in a particular area, build your set in another location.

Earth Anchors

• Earth anchors are very strong attachments. They are driven into the ground with a tool.
• These devices may have to be dug out of the ground when you remove your set.