loading snares

[trappnman]

now that we're making some of our own- whats the correct procedure? How much of the cable do you load? Do you load before the snare is made or after?

[Bob Jameson]

Steve I have always loaded the snare prior to being built. Depending on the use of the snare the length that you load will vary to a degree being determined by the size of the desired loop. For mink 2 to 3 inches is adequate for my needs.For fox and cats I load about 6-7 inches. I have done more but came back to this size. Coyotes can be more if you like the larger loop sizes and lots of memory. I am sure each has their own specs that they prefer.

It also depends whether you like a tear drop or oval configuration to your loops. I prefer tear drop sizes for canines and oval (east and west ) for cats. Just as my preference. No load snares will give you more of a tear drop figure. Loaded snares will close if done properly very quickly with little pursuasion.

In some areas with high deer knock down possibilities I dont load my snares. Too many knock downs and misfires. Of course lock and support positioning play a big role in this set up also with respects to quick fires. Loaded snares can be a blessing and a curse if not set with that understanding.

[musher]

Doesn't gusty wind close loaded snares, also?

[bobwendt]

pinch your support system at 2 oclock and no wind problems, deer, well, the sum-bees.

[gunny]

I load my snares the way Keith Gregerson does, "load" them in the truck and go set."

[coydog]

Pictures would be good here.

First off, I dont claim to be Joe Snareman, but I agree, with the experience I have, that if snaring K-9's, loaded, round loops , are totally unecessary. K-9's are not difficult to neck catch, but with our loop laws, which are horizontal measurements, I can cover more area vertically(sp) with a teardrop 8-11 inch horizontal loop, 12-14 inches vertical teardrop, than I can with an 8 inch, or 11 inch "round loop.

Where I do like loaded snares is for them ringtail bandits. Faster the better for them slithering son of a guns, and not as hard to crowd as a coyote.

[Ridgerunner]

Tman ... I load them during building the snare. Sequence would go like this:

1. Cut cable to length.
2. Crimp on lock stop ferrule.
3. Depending on the type of lock, but it is usually necessary to bend the cable from right against the lock stop ferrule back against the natural curvature of the cable. I do this with a slender needlenose plier.
4. Load the cable. (I do this by clamping a short piece of 1/2" round stock in a bench vise, and work the cable with the natural curvature back and forth across the round stock) ... Try to keep the natural curvarure in alignment as you work the cable back and forth. Might take a couple of trys before you get it down pat, but you will get a feel for it quickly.
5. Finish the snare to your prefered (and legal) set up.

I believe the general rule for loop loading is 1/3 the loop circumference, which is conveniently about the same measurement as the desired diameter.

... I got this info from Rally Hess who showed it to me at NTA quite a few years ago ... It's really a snap if you see it done ... Hope my description is of some help.

Bill

[trappnman]

yes, helped a lot. I knew there was something I was forgetting and that was that little bend back..

biglab- take note! ;D

[Jason Cox]

make sense looking at the snares that I bought from Rally