I drove a 1 and 1/2 inch staple into a tree with a chain in it and left if for a day and then I went and yanked on it real hard for a minute or 2 and it didn't even budge. I will need a prybar to get out. I guarantee that if you can get bigger ones, especially barbed, you should be able to hold a small animal for sure. I have yet to try it in a trap with an animal in it but someday I will be able to see how that goes. Don't forget to chip off the bark first.

cool! I might try that some day!

I'm not sure how well it holds up on bigger animals though, I would worry about a bigger animal potentially pulling it out.

I've held coon with it and I wouldnt be worried to use it for bobcat and even coyote in the right situation