I used to use the Thompson wolf lock with 7/64th 1x19 on 5' of #9 wire however I wasn't always happy with the results. At the advice of others ( including Rusty Newhouse ) I tried the kill springs and I think it is a worthwhile addition, they are relatively cheap ( $4 per 25 ).

I have had the odd lynx and fox alive in snares,but never seen one wreck itself like a live wolf can.

I was thinking these but now I wonder ?

Thompson
3 / 4S – 72DS
Loaded for Speed
Made from 72" of 7/64 1x19 cable Center Swivel 1600 LB Breaking Strength

Non Relaxing #3 Thompson Snare lock for 7/64 cable

Flexible black neoprene support collar

Deer Stop

Heavy Duty #4 Swivel

Personally, I have never seen the need for a swivel. You can get that same type of action from the #9 wire extension depending on how the connection is made

It's how they come either swivel or tree lock. A tree lock need a tree.

How are you guys attaching the snare to the #9 wire? What is it used for? Is it just an extension of the cable?

I put the cable and #9 wire through an annealed nut and hammer it down. Then I add a stop to the end of the cable and bend the short piece of #9 back over the nut, the #9 is an extension of the cable. All you have to do is wrap the wire around a tree or drag, open loop, and adjust height.

I was thinking of using the 9 wire as a support for the snare and also as an extension of the cable if needed

I like using Lights out snares with the large kill springs. Tried all the others and they dispatch quick.

https://youtu.be/3JR68yhJBgA?si=XHbWPwbJaxMOso-k

Someone did a great tutorial on how to make the cable/#9 wire connection.
Maybe it was JR or HFT ???? Several years ago.

I checked the archives but couldn't find it. But I DID find one picture that might help.

Basically just twist a small pigtail in the #9 wire. Run the cable through the pigtail . Add a washer and a stop.

The #9 acts as your attachment to the tree, and support for the loop, and the cable can revolve inside the pigtail but the washer and stop prevent it from pulling through.

Here's the pic I found

JR (Howler) makes a jig for the pig tails. if you decide to go that route hit him up. Rule of thumb for pigtails and 9 wire is 5-7 wraps for fox and yote and 7-9 for wolf.

Caught one in a yote snare using 11 gauge wire and you can see I got lucky Fortunately it was only a 76 lbs female.

This is why I have some hesitancy about wrapping the wire. Would it not be better to use a tree lock?

Personally, I have never had #9 wire unwind. It can also rotate around the tree if it isn't too tight or tangled too badly. Wolves will usually clean out everything in their path before they go down.

That is #11 wire in HFT's photo above.

I understand the use of the #9 pigtail. This just my opinion (not having the luxury of being able to chase wolves) but if you are adding one more connection aren't you weakening your snare. Just a thought I have.

white I have seen 9 wire pig tails come undone twice by big mature moose other then that never.

slickpan I assume these are the tree loc's your talking about? Something to consider is if you need to attach a extension cable how will you do it?



When it comes to the pigtails IMO they serve two purposes. One when you hang the snare the snare automatically falls straight up and down and you have to do minimal adjustment to the configuration of the snare. The pigtail also serves as a swivel allowing the snare to spin as a critter rolls, helps preserve the integrity of the cable.

As far as having nine wire attached directly to the snare it helps minimize the time your at the set location and gear you have to carry in with you. I can walk right up to a tree unroll my wire and snare adjust the wire to the length I want tie of set snare and turn around and back out.
Using straight cable alot more IMO comes into play. cutting your support wire the right length prior to you walking in or are you carrying the wire and cutters with you? How are you going to do the support wire? Tie off / drill a hole? Are you going to need a long or short extension to secure the snare? Now dont get me wrong there are people that will do all that because that is what they are comfortable with and their system produces for them. There is no wrong way, just the way that works for you.



Here is 5ft of cable attached to 5ft of nine wire. Pretty much my set up for everything these days with a few exceptions. I double up on aluminum ferrels for wolves use a 625 lb BAd from Sneddeckers (every snare I hang fox lynx yote wolf has a BAd 625 for wolves 285 for everything else) and a toothed cam loc or a BMI loc. Cam loc's are worthless in the open where I am at with the hore frost but shine in the spruce thickets. When I set this I have to mess around a little to get the snare straight up and down but it only takes me a few seconds.



This pic should be close to what your talking about as a set up minus the loc, kill spring, and deer stop?



Personally I am not a fan of kill springs. I tried every brand / method. Some love them I don't.

Some really good advice from serious wolfers in the comments above. Over the years I have learned alot from them. I hope you figure out what works best for you and that you connect with a few

This is what I know as a tree lock. I didn’t feel like going out to the shed to get a photo of the heavier Thompson variety I use.

They work very well. I use the heavy types on wolf footholds with 1/8” cable extensions. Zero failure, so far.

I’ve had 1 almost come undone. It was 114lb male and was a poor catch.

I've not done near the snaring a lot of these guys have, so I've refrained from commenting here. But I will make a comment on the cam locks, I bought some premade snares made by a big name wolfer when they first opened up the season here. They were made with toothed cam locks, some with kill springs, some without. I didn't care for the kill springs, I had a lot of issues with the toothed cam locks freezing up in this country. I went to smooth cam locks when I started making my own and had very, very few issues with freezing up on them. Pretty much the only time I can ever recall having issues was when it freezing rains.

I can sure see where a moose could unwind a #9 pigtail. I have hooked up a couple of them but the saw cut in the Thompson lock always opened before the pigtail showed any sign of stress. Always a possibility though that the right wolf in the wrong place could happen.

Why?