I did something like this as a kid. I used a ramp and pin system. It work very well. It was all fun and games till I caught a skunk. The trap was never the same afterward. But I learned a ton.
use wire mesh on the back instead of wood, that takes care of the air holes and the window to view your catch. It would also allow scent from you bait to drift better and probably make the animal feel less confined as he is entering the trap.
My Papa showed me how to build rabbit boxes when I was young. The only difference was he told me to use old boards and to build them in the summer so they would age. He said the rabbits would smell the fresh cut wood and not go in as good. Thanks for doing what you do. See ya at school in 2017.
Thanks for all you have been doing recently with the medica, trapping, and this building series definitely adding to the arsenal of things to try out or improve on personally.
Thanks for the video Dave. This brings a lot of memories back to me. My Grandfather and I use to build these together years ago. Now I need to do this with my boy..
A few tips from my youth. The absolute best material for a box trap is a hollow log.... rare find but worth keeping an eye out for. If you use lumber, do not use new lumber. Weathered is better. Do NOT bait the box unless you want to catch possums. Rabbits will go in the box in cold weather without bait. If you do catch an unwanted possum, throw the box away and build another box since a rabbit will not go in one after a possum. You can get the scent out but it's not easy and takes time. I tried to reuse just the trigger on a new box once. Never caught a rabbit in it. Never, ever reach in a try to get a rabbit out by grabbing the ears. I promise the rabbit will get away and you will be covered in scratches. Grab it by the back legs... both back legs.
This is a great project. When my son is old enough, we'll have to try this out up in the mountains. Will definitely give you credit if I make a video about it on my channel. Thanks for sharing!
I just had my tonsils removed and have stumbled across your channel. Got to say I've become a fan. I love that you keep it simple with emphasis on success or proper execution over sloppy results.
great job Dave thank you for your knowledge and expertise I am an over-the-road truck driver I stopped at a flea market in Evansville Indiana somebody had made a live trap out of a hollow log interior dimensions of the log was about bushel and a half it had a fall down trap door made out of wire much like the modern live traps but the body of this trip was made out of an old Hollow log
Nice build! Look forward to the next builds. The last time I visited my local tractor supply, I noticed that "cage style" metal box live traps really aren't very expensive. I picked up a 2 pack for around 30 bucks this past summer, and they have proved invaluable around my hen house!
My grandpa use to make these all the time when I was younger, so cool to keep the wisdom of the elder generations instilled amongst are young youth who have lost most of these wonderful values of futures past.
I've made traps like this ever since I was young. We would get the "first cut" from cypress when the squared the logs from the local lumber yard/mill for free. The outside of the box would still have bark on them. And rather than a metal connecting rod between the trigger and door, we used scrap wood and use scrap 1 x 2 for the pivot/mid board. This trap and a stick pyramid bird trap is the first ones my dad taught me at age 4. As you said its a great trap to teach youngster!
860 views and no dislikes. I do believe you have a great idea for a wonderful series to help pass on the woodsy knowledge to the generations and help strengthen the bonds between us parents and our sons and daughters. Please keep it going with this idea. Thank you.
next time use old wood, that new wood smell nothing is going in that trap, sit that thing out in the weather for a year and next season it will be ready
thanks Dave my 12 yr old son and I made one about 2 months ago, I showed him the way we cought anamials, rabbits, and so on when I was a kid,we had a great time building it, thanks for sharing.
a squirrel will chew out of that thing in five minutes I have made these things since I was a kid my dad and papaw has made them there hole life we catch tones of rabbits a year and never put bait in them a rabbit will go in them when it's real cold but I've cought opossums rabbits and even a few screech owls we make our traps a little smaller than that we use 1x6 for the sides and 1x4s for the top add botums very fun trap to set for kids and a good way to get Mr cotton tail in the freezer without a bullet hole great video
Used these all the time growing up in Arkansas. Brought back a lot of memories. They have wire boxes now at Town And Country Stores, They are nice to see what you caught. Thanks Dave. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Been building these all my life and have discovered that putting a piece of hardware cloth on the back instead of covering it with wood, gives the critter the illusion that it can escape out the back, so it will be less hesitant to enter the trap.
As long as you stick something on the sides to stop it tipping, this might be handy if you live in an area with lots of cheeky foxes about who would like to eat your rabbit. Great stuff!
great video Dave... I know you mention good starter project for a young boy but I'm 35 and I'm making a few of them because its looks really simple and fun to make also we have lots of rabbits in our area and its a great meal
I’ve heard staples called “u-hooks” but never have I heard “fence nails”… either way, great video. Growing up, I definitely enjoyed the excitement of going out checking my rabbit boxes.
Great thanks I was wanting to do this very same thing with my two boys. I can use this video to teach them. Thanks a bunch. Do you number the traps and make a map where they are on your land so you know the best areas based on what # box does the best? Would a close hanger work good? I see the wire your using is kind of stiff.
Would love to see a video on how to properly make a stacked stick bird cage style trap. It's discussed in your books but I've yet to find a good TH-cam video with the subtle nuances it surely must take to effectively trap birds. Perhaps I overlooked it in the survival trapping series. I like the variety so far in this new trapping series you're doing. Well done!
I made one of these many years ago when something was getting into our garden and destroying our plants. All I caught was a toad. I may have to revisit this trap again sometime soon to see if I can catch something a bit more substantial. My dad and uncle, and my grandfather before them caught many rabbits in these boxes when they were young.
A rabbit won't go into this if it's made of new wood. Need to use older weathered wood. All country boys should know this. You can still catch possums, polecats , squirrels, armadillo and such.
if you use hardware cloth (I call it box wire) for the back. The critters can see through the trap from the front. I find they prefer to go into something they think they can run out the back of. Rather than have to back out the front. No one wants to be cornered. AND bonus you can see what type snake is going to bite you when you open the door. 🤣
my squirrels love this box! if it's not opened, they scratch at the door to open it for a peanut,lol. they won't leave it alone and I get tired of taking my pesky little friends for a "ride" ten miles out in the country to release them!
Hey Dave, what's the best method for dispatching the rabbit/squirrel in a trap like this? I could pop him with my .22 but I might risk putting extra holes in the trap, and I'd have to do it through the front of the door.
David Whitaker I know this is a really old comment, but have a shotgun loaded with #6 birdshot and have someone open the trap. Just make sure you are quick on the trigger. :-)
Did one of these in the Cub Scouts (3rd grade).... Believe me you want a window to see what you got... Connie (girl next door - about a mile away from our farm) and I caught a skunk. He was not happy. We thought it was a rabbit. With leather gloves on I reached in to grab him..? BIG MISTAKE.... He did not want to be grabbed. We both got sprayed really good. Mom made us both take a washtub tomato juice bath on the back porch in the cold. She would not let us in the house until we did. Still we both stunk for a week. Our clothes got burned. Connie's mom and dad thoughg it was funny, but glad she was a Brownie instead of a Cub Scout.
Great video, you could add some weights to the top of the door to help it shut faster, or even add a channel at the bottom so the door can't be pried up by the animal!
Your my favorite.. Outta all of em on Surviving brother👍🇺🇸 Your definitely a Badass.. 👊👊 You aint got nothing to prove I am making me this trap. My papa had one similar that had a sreen on the back end so you could see it. Kentucky love 💙🇺🇸
just as a note. I have found over the years as my grand father had told me was correct. that if you use older wood that has been weathered good the rabbits will go in it a lot better than new wood. they seem to turn away from new wood for some reason. but will go in the ones made out of old Everytime.
I use manufactured humane traps to catch rabbits. I like the wire cages because I can see not only what is in the traps, but they are lighter too! When you catch a skunk....you want to know! (I cover the traps with a thin layer of fabric and have a mat on the ground in the trap for the animals comfort and to reduce stress). I don't kill the skunk since skunk is poor eating! They are so cute when they stomp their feet! But you need to TAKE A BATH after releasing them !
Plus I do not use bait! I just set the traps near the rabbit warrens or on their trails/paths. Caught about 30 rabbits (cotton tails) doing that last year! As I said before....you can't see whats in the plain box trap.....not fun when you open the trap door and get skunked in the face!
equarg you can always cut a hole in the sides and/or top and use wire mesh or chicken wire or plexiglass (you'd want to make air holes with the plexiglass). I'd just use some sore of wire mesh myself. He is just demenstrating a basic design that you can build with a kid and he did say you can make air holes or put in some kind of screen (mesh not actual window screen) so you can see what's in it.
I cover one end of the trap with wire mesh, and also cover an opening on the roof with wire mesh. This way, I can easily see what's in the trap. Animals also seem more inclined to enter the trap, as well. If you don't have wire mesh available, you can tack thin slats of wood over the end and roof. This said, yes, you can catch rabbits just by location of the trap, but I find the percentage at least triples when the trap is properly baited. I always ate the rabbits I caught, except when I needed one now and then to help train a rabbit dog.,
You may call that a simple trap, but it's a heck of a lot more complicated than the ones I grew up building. There's no need for a sliding door, no need for doing any sort of chiseling, cutting, or anything else. Even the trigger is far too complicated. As for rabbits, weathered wood does work better, apple cider or not, but it takes about two weeks to weather wood to the point where rabbits will enter it freely. Also from my experience, if you don't want to wait for the wood to weather, rubbing punk from the inside of an old log over the interior walls, and covering the floor with the same, works a lot better than apple cider.
When I was younger l met a fellow that trapped rabbits,if he caught a opossum he filled the trap with dry leaves and lit it and stood box up smoke went thru and out the trap like it was a chimmney.The thing is,i dont know if a rabbit entered it after the possum even smoked out.Throw it away that way you know for sure thanks for vid
There's tons of cottontail on & around my property, but as of now, I don't need a trap to get em. I'm the caretaker of a little short legged 18 lb. mutt who loves nothing more than to chase em down then bring em to me.....alive. Depending on how many I have in the freezer, I either dispatch em or take em back out into the woods and let em go.
FOR BOYS?! MY GIRLS NEED TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE TOO I hope that when they finally get married they marry someone that is capable of taking care of them and proud to do so But until that person comes along they darn sure need to be self-sufficient they also need to know how to take care of their family if there husband needs to go away to fight for his country or if their spouse sustains an injury or whatever else may hinder him from caring for his family.
For $22 on ebay you can buy a preassembled steel box trap (GREAT PRICE!) I just can't see building one out of wood ....my time is not worth much but dang? I just can't bring myself to go through the effort for just over $20
I did something like this as a kid. I used a ramp and pin system. It work very well. It was all fun and games till I caught a skunk. The trap was never the same afterward. But I learned a ton.
use wire mesh on the back instead of wood, that takes care of the air holes and the window to view your catch. It would also allow scent from you bait to drift better and probably make the animal feel less confined as he is entering the trap.
My Papa showed me how to build rabbit boxes when I was young. The only difference was he told me to use old boards and to build them in the summer so they would age. He said the rabbits would smell the fresh cut wood and not go in as good. Thanks for doing what you do. See ya at school in 2017.
This brings back memories of making these with my dad when I was a kid. Thanks Dave.
Thanks for all you have been doing recently with the medica, trapping, and this building series definitely adding to the arsenal of things to try out or improve on personally.
Thanks for the video Dave. This brings a lot of memories back to me. My Grandfather and I use to build these together years ago. Now I need to do this with my boy..
A few tips from my youth. The absolute best material for a box trap is a hollow log.... rare find but worth keeping an eye out for. If you use lumber, do not use new lumber. Weathered is better. Do NOT bait the box unless you want to catch possums. Rabbits will go in the box in cold weather without bait. If you do catch an unwanted possum, throw the box away and build another box since a rabbit will not go in one after a possum. You can get the scent out but it's not easy and takes time. I tried to reuse just the trigger on a new box once. Never caught a rabbit in it. Never, ever reach in a try to get a rabbit out by grabbing the ears. I promise the rabbit will get away and you will be covered in scratches. Grab it by the back legs... both back legs.
This is a great project. When my son is old enough, we'll have to try this out up in the mountains. Will definitely give you credit if I make a video about it on my channel. Thanks for sharing!
That's really cool, I'd love to see that in action! Do you think we can get a video on you catching something with that trap?
Haha, that laugh when he says, "You're gonna know when you open the door." speaks volumes!
I just had my tonsils removed and have stumbled across your channel. Got to say I've become a fan. I love that you keep it simple with emphasis on success or proper execution over sloppy results.
great job Dave thank you for your knowledge and expertise I am an over-the-road truck driver I stopped at a flea market in Evansville Indiana somebody had made a live trap out of a hollow log interior dimensions of the log was about bushel and a half it had a fall down trap door made out of wire much like the modern live traps but the body of this trip was made out of an old Hollow log
Nice build! Look forward to the next builds. The last time I visited my local tractor supply, I noticed that "cage style" metal box live traps really aren't very expensive. I picked up a 2 pack for around 30 bucks this past summer, and they have proved invaluable around my hen house!
My grandpa use to make these all the time when I was younger, so cool to keep the wisdom of the elder generations instilled amongst are young youth who have lost most of these wonderful values of futures past.
after 20+ videos this video is the only one I found that is what I need and thorough in telling you what to do. Thank you very much!
I've made traps like this ever since I was young. We would get the "first cut" from cypress when the squared the logs from the local lumber yard/mill for free. The outside of the box would still have bark on them. And rather than a metal connecting rod between the trigger and door, we used scrap wood and use scrap 1 x 2 for the pivot/mid board. This trap and a stick pyramid bird trap is the first ones my dad taught me at age 4. As you said its a great trap to teach youngster!
860 views and no dislikes. I do believe you have a great idea for a wonderful series to help pass on the woodsy knowledge to the generations and help strengthen the bonds between us parents and our sons and daughters. Please keep it going with this idea. Thank you.
next time use old wood, that new wood smell nothing is going in that trap, sit that thing out in the weather for a year and next season it will be ready
This will be a project for our Scouts Thanks for the project, ..
thanks Dave my 12 yr old son and I made one about 2 months ago, I showed him the way we cought anamials, rabbits, and so on when I was a kid,we had a great time building it, thanks for sharing.
a squirrel will chew out of that thing in five minutes I have made these things since I was a kid my dad and papaw has made them there hole life we catch tones of rabbits a year and never put bait in them a rabbit will go in them when it's real cold but I've cought opossums rabbits and even a few screech owls we make our traps a little smaller than that we use 1x6 for the sides and 1x4s for the top add botums very fun trap to set for kids and a good way to get Mr cotton tail in the freezer without a bullet hole great video
Seen this before...but had forgotten it. Thanks so much for showing this again! Awesome Dave!
Used these all the time growing up in Arkansas. Brought back a lot of memories. They have wire boxes now at Town And Country Stores, They are nice to see what you caught. Thanks Dave. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Been building these all my life and have discovered that putting a piece of hardware cloth on the back instead of covering it with wood, gives the critter the illusion that it can escape out the back, so it will be less hesitant to enter the trap.
I learned that trap from my dad and still use it, it is a great trap design
As long as you stick something on the sides to stop it tipping, this might be handy if you live in an area with lots of cheeky foxes about who would like to eat your rabbit. Great stuff!
a small hinged flap inside leaning against that trigger poll to set it off easer would be a great idea
Made one when I was a kid , caught everything but rabbits .
I've said it before and I'll say it again.....Your the man Dave! Greatly appreciate all your videos. God bless!
Man, This takes me back.........along time ago. he-he.
Thanks man. I had a couple of these when I was a boy. I’m wanting to make one for my daughter. The others were made for me.
great video Dave... I know you mention good starter project for a young boy but I'm 35 and I'm making a few of them because its looks really simple and fun to make also we have lots of rabbits in our area and its a great meal
Thanks for the videos Dave :-) really takes me back to when ,as a boy, my brother and I had these traps all over the mountain....... good times !
my son will love this so simple and effective thanks alot dave 👍
Nice project Dave. I didnt realize you had horses now.
I’ve heard staples called “u-hooks” but never have I heard “fence nails”… either way, great video. Growing up, I definitely enjoyed the excitement of going out checking my rabbit boxes.
Great thanks I was wanting to do this very same thing with my two boys. I can use this video to teach them. Thanks a bunch.
Do you number the traps and make a map where they are on your land so you know the best areas based on what # box does the best? Would a close hanger work good? I see the wire your using is kind of stiff.
Would love to see a video on how to properly make a stacked stick bird cage style trap. It's discussed in your books but I've yet to find a good TH-cam video with the subtle nuances it surely must take to effectively trap birds. Perhaps I overlooked it in the survival trapping series. I like the variety so far in this new trapping series you're doing. Well done!
I made one of these many years ago when something was getting into our garden and destroying our plants. All I caught was a toad. I may have to revisit this trap again sometime soon to see if I can catch something a bit more substantial. My dad and uncle, and my grandfather before them caught many rabbits in these boxes when they were young.
A rabbit won't go into this if it's made of new wood. Need to use older weathered wood. All country boys should know this. You can still catch possums, polecats , squirrels, armadillo and such.
Spraying the trap with Apple cider will fix that, any country boy should know that?
wildernessoutfitters You left that part out "Show Me"
Working on it-Never know what will come to a trap but it is in Rabbit country as we speak
I have made may a rabbit box's out of new wood and they all work very well, so you don't need old wood too make one...
What type of bait would one use to attract rabbits?
Nice video! I remember doing this when I was a kid. Time to get to work with my kids now.
That's very cool, Dave! Simple, but very effective.
Dave,
What do you have for catching ground squirrels/chipmunks? Do you have a smaller version?
Cool Trap. Might build one with my son.
Rah ... Outstanding ... just found a perfect fun project for me and my 9 yr old son ... !
I can remember building a box trap with the figure 4 trigger way back when. I like this one better. thx for a great video.
if you use hardware cloth (I call it box wire) for the back. The critters can see through the trap from the front.
I find they prefer to go into something they think they can run out the back of. Rather than have to back out the front.
No one wants to be cornered. AND bonus you can see what type snake is going to bite you when you open the door. 🤣
Sweet father and son project
I enjoy watching your videos thanks for all the information you put out there
Just built one of these with my daughter. Upped the size and caught 2 small raccoons.
Looks like a fun project....might hafta build me one.
a live meal is a fresh meal.
my squirrels love this box! if it's not opened, they scratch at the door to open it for a peanut,lol. they won't leave it alone and I get tired of taking my pesky little friends for a "ride" ten miles out in the country to release them!
Hey Dave, what's the best method for dispatching the rabbit/squirrel in a trap like this? I could pop him with my .22 but I might risk putting extra holes in the trap, and I'd have to do it through the front of the door.
David Whitaker I know this is a really old comment, but have a shotgun loaded with #6 birdshot and have someone open the trap. Just make sure you are quick on the trigger. :-)
What would be a good bait for the various furry little animals?
a bunch of dead rabbits can feed for days or weeks but a bunch of live rabbits will feed for years :) awesome trap for learners.
What bait would you use for rabbits?.
Very cool Dave. Thanks
Did one of these in the Cub Scouts (3rd grade).... Believe me you want a window to see what you got... Connie (girl next door - about a mile away from our farm) and I caught a skunk. He was not happy. We thought it was a rabbit. With leather gloves on I reached in to grab him..? BIG MISTAKE.... He did not want to be grabbed. We both got sprayed really good. Mom made us both take a washtub tomato juice bath on the back porch in the cold. She would not let us in the house until we did. Still we both stunk for a week. Our clothes got burned. Connie's mom and dad thoughg it was funny, but glad she was a Brownie instead of a Cub Scout.
Great video, you could add some weights to the top of the door to help it shut faster, or even add a channel at the bottom so the door can't be pried up by the animal!
Your my favorite.. Outta all of em on Surviving brother👍🇺🇸
Your definitely a Badass.. 👊👊
You aint got nothing to prove
I am making me this trap.
My papa had one similar that had a sreen on the back end so you could see it.
Kentucky love 💙🇺🇸
just as a note. I have found over the years as my grand father had told me was correct. that if you use older wood that has been weathered good the rabbits will go in it a lot better than new wood. they seem to turn away from new wood for some reason. but will go in the ones made out of old Everytime.
Thanks Dave I should have tough my scouts that !
Thanks Dave
That is cool. Have to make one for sure .
you used a jack knife to whittle a notch on the dowel, that is what a true steward of the land would use.
The moment you switch to wire traps is when you discover a skunk in your box trap 🦨
cool trap Dave, always thinking outside the box lol. I was wondering what shirt is that? like the colors of it
what bait is best for rabbits? cause I cant seem to find what it is anywhere
Been a couple weeks, we caught any wabbits yet ?
What about building one from a shipping pallet?
I use manufactured humane traps to catch rabbits.
I like the wire cages because I can see not only what is in the traps, but they are lighter too!
When you catch a skunk....you want to know! (I cover the traps with a thin layer of fabric and have a mat on the ground in the trap for the animals comfort and to reduce stress).
I don't kill the skunk since skunk is poor eating!
They are so cute when they stomp their feet!
But you need to TAKE A BATH after releasing them !
Plus I do not use bait!
I just set the traps near the rabbit warrens or on their trails/paths.
Caught about 30 rabbits (cotton tails) doing that last year!
As I said before....you can't see whats in the plain box trap.....not fun when you open the trap door and get skunked in the face!
equarg you can always cut a hole in the sides and/or top and use wire mesh or chicken wire or plexiglass (you'd want to make air holes with the plexiglass). I'd just use some sore of wire mesh myself. He is just demenstrating a basic design that you can build with a kid and he did say you can make air holes or put in some kind of screen (mesh not actual window screen) so you can see what's in it.
I cover one end of the trap with wire mesh, and also cover an opening on the roof with wire mesh. This way, I can easily see what's in the trap. Animals also seem more inclined to enter the trap, as well. If you don't have wire mesh available, you can tack thin slats of wood over the end and roof. This said, yes, you can catch rabbits just by location of the trap, but I find the percentage at least triples when the trap is properly baited. I always ate the rabbits I caught, except when I needed one now and then to help train a rabbit dog.,
This is awesome!
What kinda dip u chewing
Good video it leaves no guessing thanks
Good video I have an old box trap like this but instead of a fence nail it has an eye hook. More than one way to skin a cat
You may call that a simple trap, but it's a heck of a lot more complicated than the ones I grew up building. There's no need for a sliding door, no need for doing any sort of chiseling, cutting, or anything else. Even the trigger is far too complicated. As for rabbits, weathered wood does work better, apple cider or not, but it takes about two weeks to weather wood to the point where rabbits will enter it freely. Also from my experience, if you don't want to wait for the wood to weather, rubbing punk from the inside of an old log over the interior walls, and covering the floor with the same, works a lot better than apple cider.
you should keep doing trap videos bro
the view/air holes are a good idea in case you trap a skunk
good video man keep em coming. im gonna try and build me one, i never got to much into trappin.
When I was younger l met a fellow that trapped rabbits,if he caught a opossum he filled the trap with dry leaves and lit it and stood box up smoke went thru and out the trap like it was a chimmney.The thing is,i dont know if a rabbit entered it after the possum even smoked out.Throw it away that way you know for sure thanks for vid
How wide does the border need to be on all of them
it would be better with a screen on the back cause some animals wont crawl through something if they cant see all the way through it
Great little project for a father and a young son
What to use for bait on rabbits ?
what kind of bait is best for rabbit
It needs "rat wire" (hardware cloth) on the back end. Animals feel safer and you'll catch more, guaranteed.
Nice project.
Great video brother
Thanks for a Great video.
As being swedish, I was extra happy to see what I belive was a Hultafors tumstock :)
or should I say folding rule?
Magnus Sandahl
There's tons of cottontail on & around my property, but as of now, I don't need a trap to get em. I'm the caretaker of a little short legged 18 lb. mutt who loves nothing more than to chase em down then bring em to me.....alive. Depending on how many I have in the freezer, I either dispatch em or take em back out into the woods and let em go.
FOR BOYS?!
MY GIRLS NEED TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE TOO
I hope that when they finally get married they marry someone that is capable of taking care of them and proud to do so
But until that person comes along they darn sure need to be self-sufficient they also need to know how to take care of their family if there husband needs to go away to fight for his country or if their spouse sustains an injury or whatever else may hinder him from caring for his family.
I used these as a kid with my father and caught a few rabbits and possums. The only problem is that they rot fast
Excellent. Thank you for sharing
At today's lumber prices, that's about a $200 dollar trap. Lol
I'd have concern for wind pushing the open door and pulling the release pin. Other than that looks like a nice project..
COOL!
I learned something new today!
For $22 on ebay you can buy a preassembled steel box trap (GREAT PRICE!) I just can't see building one out of wood ....my time is not worth much but dang? I just can't bring myself to go through the effort for just over $20
Tip with new wood. Find some swampy mud and rub that trap down in and out and let it dry.
is that an iPhone 7 Dave? and by the way nice video