Outdoor Wonders you should get out more ...

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Here's a drawing of the trigger mechanism for a Figure-4 trap. This can be deployed with a box for live capture or a log or similar weight to be a deadfall trap. 

Check your local laws for restrictions on trapping. Use of this mechanism may be illegal in certain areas.

A variation on this mechanism is the Piute deadfall. It uses a string and toggle in place of the cross pin and is said to be faster.

Figure-4 Deadfall

Piute Deadfall

Below is an example of a paiute deafall. The cordage is natural, made from the sheathing that easily comes off of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

by using the Flemish twist method. See my cordage page for details.

Here is are two pictures of Evening Primrose, the plant that provided cordage material.

Here’s a closeup of the toggle mechanism with a good view of the cordage. The small stick on the right serves only to keep the acorn bait from rolling off of the stone base.

Only about 8-10 inches of cordage were required. You can make this in only a few minutes.