My 12 year old and I got our trapping licenses for the first time this year. We have read several books, bought some videos, watched youtube, and paid attention here. We're in NJ where we can only use snares on land. After a few weeks of scouting our area, we set our first snares on Friday. I think we're doing okay but everything was empty on our check this morning. I'd like some feedback from the experienced snare-men here. I'm adding two videos below of two sets. I've seen lots of photos of snare sets that were hard to figure out. It's not possible to capture the 3D world of trails with 2D photos. So, I'm trying to do it with a couple of short videos instead of still photos. I'd like your thoughts and suggestions.

First, is a set placed along a small trail branching off of a well traveled deer trail. The deer trail runs along the edge of a fresh water pond at the edge of the salt marsh. This little trail branches off from the main deer trail and runs just a few feet through the reeds to the fresh water pond. There are other spots with larger branches leading to the pond that are large enough to be deer trails. I don't believe this trail is a deer trail.


Second is a snare set at the end of a deer trail. The deer trail takes a hard turn to the right and this mini-trail takes a turn the other direction through the reeds. The overhanging reeds and some branches near the ground mean this can't be a deer trail.



Both are set up almost the same way. We used a stick from a tree nearby as our support - just stuck it in the ground and wrapped our support wire around it. After hanging the snare, a small stick was placed on either side of the snare to try to keep the nose inside the snare. Most likely raccoons in the area (would love to have a fox though) so the snare loops are about 7" diameter and 4-5 inches off the ground.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have.

Hard to tell from the pic but you may want to load that stiff wire a bit more near the lock.

I agree with "Boco".

I agree with Boco too - on the first set. Looked good to me in the field but once I saw it on video, I was surprised how un-rounded the loop was.

If you think there are fox in the area, bring the bottom of the loop up to 7-8" off the ground. You'll still get the biggest coons, which are the ones you want anyway. Remember snaring is a numbers game. I wouldn't bother setting a snare to check unless I was setting at least two dozen or more. Patience if there is a trail there and someone else hasn't killed them, they will back down the trail. I'd give them 5-7 days of good weather before I moved on to new locations.

All animals use the same trails. Deer will eventually give you knock downs but thats ok, that's why you check everyday. I would move that lock and get a better loop in there, just like was stated above. What are you trying to catch ? The answer to that question will determine your loop size. Just my two cents

We'd be happy with just about anything since we're just starting out. We'd like to get fox but there are so many raccoons in the area that we're more likely to see one of those.

Thanks all for the advice, keep it coming. And, don't hold back if you see something wrong.

Looks like you need to raise the loop. Bottom should be about 8 to 10"above ground. .
just

Where are you located? I do a fist with a thumbs up to bottom of the loop for red fox and coon. If in the hardwoods a closed fist to bottom of loop for gray fox. Be careful setting to close to the marsh there are way more otters then people think.

We're trapping in Stow Creek, Cumberland/Salem county line. We've been setting with a fist, including thumb under the snare but not thumbs up. Sounds like we're about an inch and a half too low. I don't see any slides around this pond. Lots of trees chewed by beavers but all of that chewing is several years old. No inlet or outlet and no sign of life that I've seen. Didn't even apply for a beaver or otter permit this year. Starting out land trapping. Too many things to do to be able to do it all.

You want to have an inch or 2 of cable between your lock and your support. This will allow the snare to close properly. Having the lock up against the support wire will make the lock hang up and not slide properly.

Call me 609-338-7011 I can help you out

Eric, that looks like one of your premier mink set ups there. I watch your mink DVD all the time