Stakes and Earth Anchors

To hold a captured animal, your traps or cable devices must be attached to something. Foothold traps are normally attached to a chain. For some traps, you may need wire. The wire or chain is attached to a stake, drag, or other object that anchors the trap or restrains the trapped animal in some way. Make sure the anchoring system is strong enough to hold the largest animal you might catch.

Stakes

• Stakes must be long enough to hold the largest animal you might catch. In most cases, 18 inches to 24 inches is a good length for land sets. In sandy soil, you'll need longer stakes. See "Gray Wolf" section for details.
• For some stronger animals, a single stake is not enough to hold the trap. In these cases, consider cross-staking two stakes.
• It is very important to build all sets so that the stakes will hold. An animal that escapes with a trap on its foot will be injured. If your stakes will not hold in a particular area, build your set in another location.
• The chain length of a submersion system must be short enough and deep enough to keep the furbearer under the water.

Earth Anchors

• Earth anchors are very strong attachments. They are driven into the ground with a tool.
• These devices must be dug out of the ground when you take down your set.