Survival Tools

150' of 24g snare wire, $2.59@ Michaels.com

Snare wire rolls.
Nota bene, Gentle Reader, I did not say "a snare". Or even two snares.

Germane-to-the-topic exchange at Mountain Warfare Training Center:

"I put out a snare, Sergeant!"

"Well, gee sir, that's really nice. Now go put out 20 more, and you might get one scraggly squirrel or rock marmot to eat before next Christmas. Your choice. It's a long evolution out here. Carry on, sir."

I mention that because it happens all the time.
The dotMil, in all incarnations, even packs one or two snares, steel, in their aircrew survival kits. With a spiffy soft metal locking link, in case you get some action. Dumbasses who've never used them think two is enough.

Not hardly.
Try 20-50. If you actually want to eat.
Consider the number required for a single squirrel pole, of which you should try 3-4, or maybe 9 or 10, if that sort of game is on the menu:

If you live in suburbia, I highly recommend practicing with this.
Just not if you have cats. And NOT in the front yard, m'kay?
Check local laws and requirements for a hunting/trapping license too.

So you need a lot of snare wire, just for one proper pole.
A snare, singular, isn't going to get it done. Ever.

Second problem.
Those spiffy issue snares are made of steel. In the white.
Wanna know what their lifespan is in a survival kit, even in a dry climate?
Fifteen years, at which point they'll be a rusty circle of worthless shit.
(Ask me how I know.)
Don't even ask about in a near-ocean salt air or high-humidity climate, in which it's probably measured in months.
You can oil them, which spooks game. You can use animal oils and grease. Which stinks like sh*t in your gear.
Or you can use things other than the issue white steel. Things that don't rust out.

Stainless is always a good choice. You can find (and I have them) 2-3' stainless leaders in the BassPro angling aisles, that make great snares for anything up to probably raccoon and beaver-sized prey.

You can even buy some really splendiferous pre-made snares from the few remaining trapping companies that PETA hasn't driven out of existence.

Both options are rather spendy, however.
And you should know how to make your own snares, with no hardware, or fancy catches, from scratch. You may be working from salvaged wire from any number of sources (vehicles, etc.), which likelihood is much higher than having a survival kit with two dozen game snares of all sizes with pre-made locking links.


A brighter choice, therefore, is to go to the hardware store, and get spools of wire that won't rust:
Brass.
Copper.
Aluminum.
Or green coated floral garden wire.
Which last is the cheapest thing you'll find, and the most bang for the buck. Strength and durability is always a function of price and your desire.

Unless you're thinking of trying for deer and such, you're aiming at squirrel to rabbit sized prey. So 20-26 gauge wire will suffice.
If you want more strength, braid it, like any other line.
Or buy stronger wire. Generally, thicker gauge equals shorter amount on spool.
So read the labels.

More strength, fewer snares.
Buy more wire, make more snares.

Need a bomb-proof tightening wire?

Take one end. Roll the wire around a small diameter roundish piece of wood (twig, pencil, etc.) two times, leaving several inches left over.
Take it off the stick.
Take the additional length, and twist it around the wire before the double loop.
Don't crush or tighten the double loop.
Put the running end through the double loop.
That's your won't-loosen locking loop.
Make the loop the correct size for the game you seek.
Anchor the other end appropriately.

When Bre'r Rabbit or Bre'r Squirrel goes in, it tightens on itself, locks up the snare loop, and won't let go.
If you anchored the other end securely, and found your catch before some other predator, dinner is served.

The spool above will get you plenty of snares.
A few such spools, minimum, is the correct amount.
They also make, or can make, leaders for toothier prey on fishing line.
And trip wires for deadfalls, spring snares, etc.
You can also use military trip wire spools, which come in green and yellow.

The mil-surp stuff can be had usually for about $1/roll, in endless quantities. And it's not just for flares and land mines, okay?

(You can always paint your brass, copper, or aluminum wires, but it has to be done unrolled, then allowed to dry thoroughly before re-rolling. I would rather get blackened anodized aluminum, or other pre-coated options, but I may not have as much time to watch paint dry as you do.)

You can catch anything with a head or feet with a big and strong enough snare.
But only if you have enough.
(And then, a way to dispatch the prey from a distance that isn't strangled, without becoming a meal yourself.)

Snare wire rolls, kids. Not *a* snare or two.
Survival is hungry work.