I’ve used cable stakes for years with excellent results. But I've often wondered if there might be a cost advantage of just using 11 or even 14 gauge wire instead of ferrules and cable? I’m thinking in those situations where the disposal is truly disposable as in trying to retrieve from frozen ground.

My opinion has always been if your wire fails, just a time or two, the cost of the trap and animal lost could of bought a lot of cable, plus potential bad PR with as escaped critter with your trap on its foot, made me decide the piece of mind was worth the extra cost of the cable. If you shop around (even on Amazon) you can get cable pretty reasonably. Typically great deals at conventions as well as suppliers don't like to ship heavy rolls.

I’ve done it because I ran out of stakes while setting traps but had some anchors. However you are not saving hardly anything. I reuse old snares a lot and it’s just not worth it to use wire unless absolutely necessary. I’ve used Barbed wire before i unraveled. Just need to make sure it’s well below ground. If he can bend it back and forth it’s going to break.

I’m just getting cheap in my old age

Hey Teach,,,,,,,,USING an earth anchor for what animal and what time of year stears a smart trapper into trying new gear to be economical and efficient so don't say you are cheap. I make mine for coyotes out of previously used snare cable (3/32 or 1/8) and electrical metal conduit (EMC). If frozen in, I cut the cable and leave it to rust. If in un or lightly frozen soil I will pull. Since I start after coyotes around the first of December, some years are truly more "disposable" than others. Getting them in the ground is more of a chore than deciding when to "cut and leave" and usually involves a hammer drill and a 3/4" X 18" concrete bit. Push them in rather than hammer due to the conduit's thin wall. Rarely use disposables for DP's or snares due to pulling and moving - still can't beat a smooth stake for speed and ease with these. Use a standard 3/4" nut welded to the top of the (all mine) stake and a drill/impact socket to spin them out. Sell the vise grips to the younger guys! My experience. ..............the mike

I would steer away from wire but as wife states find ways to economically find and acquire your cable and ends.
I run about all cable anchors on everything from coon to coyote traps.
So much lighter to carry than rebar. If I can’t pull it at end of season I just cut the cable and make new ones next season.
I got a pile of pre-built anchors of Tman trashed from another member for what ended up being a very good per-anchor price and I bought them.
I’ve got rolls of cable before at flea markets for a song. One time at a flea market someone was selling “kits” for garage door repair. They were the cable returns and spring safeties. All had nice long lengths of cable and ferrules included. Got those stupid cheap and it made a bunch of cable anchors for me. Got to get creative and keep your eyes open. Break your costs down into a measure that makes sense to you.
Jim