How do you secure your traps? I'm not really into the idea of using an earth anchor but I kind like rebar. Recently I decided to pull up a rebar stake that was around our old dog kenal. Its a rebar stake about 12 inches long with a T at the top to keep the loop or swivel or whatever on. I was surprised when I drove it into the ground and pulled on it with a rope and it wouldn't budge much at all. I underestimated how well they would hold but would that be enough to hold, say a coon? I got more than one so i could cross stake it so make it stronger. I was also thinking of using wire to secure traps, it works but it doesn't seem foolproof, and cable is pricey and I use them for snares. I know it works well for water trapping but what gauge wire would I need? 14, 12, 10 gauge wire? Also I would use wooden stakes made from trees all day long for conibears but unless you know a muskrat is going to get caught in a set could a wooden stake be used for a foothold trap? I've heard of them welling in the ground but I could see an animal like a fox pulling out a wooden stake, and I could see a coon fighting it to the brink of being able to break it or the wire. There are alot of coyotes in my area now and they could rip one right out of the ground I bet. If you took a chain could you run it around the tree and link it to another chain and basically chain it to the tree and it would hold anything. What is your guys opinion on staking or securing your trap? How do you do it?

Hello! I haven’t seen you on here before so welcome! I use earth anchors that’s what works for me. If you need anything else just ask!

Hi there! I'm looking forward to learning alot on this forum so if I do I will let you know, thanks!

Good glad to have ya!

Always stake for the largest animal in your area.
Wooden stakes are not a good idea for land animals. I know you think cable costs more than wire,but lose one animal because of a twisted and broken wire and you would have paid the difference between wire and cable---not only would you lose the animal,but also the trap
Cable stakes are a good idea for land animals.You could also use 1/2 in rerod stakes,depending on the ground ,would determine the length of stakes you would need.It would also tell you if cross staking was needed.
Another thing about wire,it needs to be changed each year ,cable does not.
If you have any other staking questions--fire away.
Tom

VERY sound advice.

A few suggestions for ya! All stakes should be metal. I would stay away from wood. 18" rerod stakes are good investments. Drowning wire 14 ga. if only mink & muskrat. I would go 11 ga. in case of coon or accidental beaver. A good option in stead of stakes for land are heavy branches or limbs as drags. Wire trap chain to middle or end of limb with several wraps of 14 ga. wire. Less pull-outs this way also. Put a swivel on all your trap chains about 2" from trap. Have fun trapping