Survival Skills: How To Make A Key Ring Trap Trigger

A key chain ring is one of those everyday items that never gets much attention. It holds our keys together, and that’s all it does for us, most of the time.

But as I focus more on EDC (every day carry) gear lately, I wanted every part of my keychain to help with survival chores, even the key ring. So I thought you might get a kick out of my favorite key ring trap trigger. Here’s how it works.
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Key Ring Snare Trigger**
This pin and ring snare trigger works best when it is set as a light duty, motion-activated trap for smaller animals. Rabbits, hares, possum, prairie dogs and small groundhogs are just about right for this size trap.

To build the trap, find a springy tree branch from a flexible tree species. Find an exposed root or carefully dig to expose one on the same tree or a nearby tree. You can also bend over a sapling or bush, then weigh it down with a rock or log. The root or a bent over sapling needs to be underneath the springy branch; and it will be your trap’s anchor into the ground. Tie a line, such as 550 cord, to one of the tree’s branches. Tie the other end of the line to a key ring. Make the length just long enough to barely slide the ring under the root (or bent bush) and out the other side. Attach or tie your snare line and noose line together just above the key ring.

In the noose line, you’ll tie the blunt end of a smooth, 3-inch long wooden peg that has a rounded point. Tie it at a distance from all other trap parts that still allow you to keep the noose in the trail and bring the wood peg to the key ring. You’ll then set your noose in an animal’s run, as you would for any other “twitch-up” or spring pole snare. I like mine set up on two small forked twigs to hold the noose open and in place.

When the critter runs down his trail, and gets his head in the noose, he pulls it tight and pulls the pin from the ring trigger – releasing the trap. Dinner is served.