Wire Types and Alternatives

[Coote 5]

Thanks to the helpfulness of a forum member I have a sample of the real McCoy snare wire coming to me. I have started to make enquiries as to where I might be able to get hold of similar brass wire in this part of the world - but without success so far. Soft wire snares could be just the thing for possum trapping down here, and if it turns out to be successful, then a man might need quite a bit of wire. I guess I could import it, but it is nice to know what else might do the job.

 

It has been mentioned that copper or stainless wire could be used. What about soft, thin galvanised steel wire? What about copper wire that has a coating for use in motor and transformer windings? What about pulling apart some flexible steel wire rope?

 

If anybody has tried alternative wires, or if they have any ideas I'd be glad to read about them. It would be particularly helpful if the actual diameter of any wire could be mentioned. If the gauge or actual size isn't known, then a comparison like "slightly thicker than standard brass" would help to convey the idea.

 

Tons of game must have been caught in simple fibre snares over the years, but wire isn't easy to chew through and it holds its shape nicely. I've sometimes wondered about splitting plastic bundle strapping to make stiff snares... I think this is made from polypropylene.

 

But wire seems best when lots of snares need to be set in a short time. Any ideas would be welcome.

 

Best wishes.... Coote.

[pegandgun 52]

You can make snares out of all sorts of material that will not hold its shape but,you can do something about this .All you need to do is when making your soft noose snares incorperate a single strand of wire.That single strand is enough to make the snare hold its shape.

Ive made good snares out of corline(the nylon twine that kids catch crabs with,often orange or black.)I simply wrapped a single strand of brass around the corline so it would hold its "set" position.The trouble was that after a couple of catches the corline frayed.

Without brass i would look for copper.You can get it from the back of old TVs and other electric appliences but be very carefull.

If you cant get anything ive got a 20KG drum of brass you could have cheapish but it would cost a fortune to get it over their

[Coote 5]

Thanks for that.

 

So approximately how many catches can you get from a "proper" multi-strand brass snare before it becomes unserviceable?

 

Thanks for the offer to send wire in bulk. I guess that if I ever wanted to import it I might be able to get a good deal from India or maybe Australia. Still.... I am fairly sure that I will find a local substitute.

 

That idea of using a single strand of wire in conjunction with a synthetic cord is a good one. When I set my possum snares I use two tealers and the noose can be a fairly dodgy shape. I should try incorporating a thin wire of whatever sort I could find. Making the snares would take longer, but it could significantly reduce the time needed for setting them....and this would be especially true for the majority of my snares because they are set in a tree. I will probably start trying to trap a few local possums in about a month's time. I would generally set no more than maybe 20 snares when I do a circuit (and would probably get no more than 3 possums). However with wire-stiffened snares I might be able to set more in the available time.

 

Much appreciated..... Stephen Coote.

[woodga 170]

Thanks for that.

 

So approximately how many catches can you get from a "proper" multi-strand brass snare before it becomes unserviceable?

 

Thanks for the offer to send wire in bulk. I guess that if I ever wanted to import it I might be able to get a good deal from India or maybe Australia. Still.... I am fairly sure that I will find a local substitute.

 

That idea of using a single strand of wire in conjunction with a synthetic cord is a good one. When I set my possum snares I use two tealers and the noose can be a fairly dodgy shape. I should try incorporating a thin wire of whatever sort I could find. Making the snares would take longer, but it could significantly reduce the time needed for setting them....and this would be especially true for the majority of my snares because they are set in a tree. I will probably start trying to trap a few local possums in about a month's time. I would generally set no more than maybe 20 snares when I do a circuit (and would probably get no more than 3 possums). However with wire-stiffened snares I might be able to set more in the available time.

 

Much appreciated..... Stephen Coote.

 

 

fecking computer acting its self there [bANNED TEXT] a six strand brass snare can take at least 6 rabbits it just depends on the animal some bite the wire others dont its as simple as that i have rabbit wires that are years old and have taken dozens of rabbits then i could set one and have it broken just as easily you would deffo get good returns for investing in brass snares you want a few like this

 

 

brass wires work brilliantly also copper wire if you spin the wire to make the strands a bit tighter :ph34r:

[Coote 5]

Dang... you won't run out of snares in a hurry. Thanks for your thoughts. I should have no trouble getting copper wire down here. When my brass snare samples arrive I will try to make up some copper snares to the same "stiffness". I have found some multistrand, non-insulated copper aerial wire which looks pretty good, but unravelling it is a bit tedious. The people that rewind motors must be able to get hold of rolls of "shellac" coated copper in various gauges...so something will work out. Have a great day.... Coote.

[Guest wickidweasel]

Speaker wire comes in variouse gauges and is inexpensive

 

and theres plenty of copper hanging out the back of yur PC

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Brass wire has stood the test of time for rabbit sized critters but anything bigger requires steel wire incorperating a swivel.