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, chain, or cable device 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 trapped animal.

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.
• 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 or a cable around its body will be injured. If your stakes will not hold in a particular area, build your set in another location.

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.