Tips for Hunting Wild Game
Using Firearms, Traps, and Snares
Copyright © 1998,2006 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
All Rights Reserved.
- Animals are more nutritious than most wild plants. But they are more difficult and time consuming to obtain.
- Animals remain alive by being constantly alert. Their senses are superior to ours. Their physical attributes are superior for flight, fight, and hiding. The only advantage humans have is their brain.
- A firearm is better than a bow and arrows for putting meat in the pot. Snares and traps are better than a firearm because they will work 24 hours per day seven days per week after they have been properly set.
- Sunrise and sunset are the best hunting times.
- The best way to hunt with a firearm or a bow is to sit quietly out-of-sight downwind along a trail leading to a water source.
- If you have a semi-automatic hunting rifle then put two quick shots into the heart/lung chest area of a medium to large game animal.
- If a wounded animal runs away, wait 5 minutes and then follow the blood trail. It will lie down if not pursued and become too weak to move.
- Any wounded animal is dangerous. Approach it cautiously and kill it quickly and safely. Gut and bleed all animals immediately after the kill.
- If you see a rabbit during the day, it can be frozen by emitting a sharp whistle.
- When you skin and gut an animal, leave its entrails on the ground as bait. Set a series of snares along paths leading to the butchering area.
- Observe birds. Their flight pattern may reveal their nest and their eggs. Efforts to obtain small birds far exceed any nourishment they provide.
- A weighted net may be used as a casting snare. Throw the weighted net over the animal, or over the small bush in which the animal or bird is hiding.
- Thin flexible wire is better than string for setting snares because animals can't chew through it to free themselves. 20 or 22 gauge wire is preferred for small and medium size game animals. However, 26 or 28 gauge may be used for very small game animals, such as squirrels. 20 to 28 gauge wire should be used in a "spring snare" which is tied to a bent tree branch that is under pressure so that it will lift the animal up off the ground so it hangs by its neck when it trips the snare trigger. If you set "ground snares" without a "spring" then a professional quality 14 gauge snare wire with a swivel will be required.
- Don't set traps or snares on well used trails. Animals know their territory and avoid the unusual. Set traps on side trails.
- Do not use whittled wood for traps. Leave the bark on snare sticks. Carved notches should be darkened by rubbing dirt on the carved area.
- Check your traps and snares every morning and every evening.
- Snares and traps should be moved to a new location every four or five days.
- Never set traps that could hurt people.
Grandpappy's e-mail address is: RobertWayneAtkins@hotmail.com