The invention is a snare threaded through a compression spring delivered to the animal via a two-jaw animal trap. The snare consists of steel or other resilient cable, a snare lock and other wire rope devices sufficient for making a snare, flexible tube, a spring retention washer, “J” clip, and a compression spring. The snare assembly is threaded through a piece of rigid tubing which serves to direct the energy of the compression spring. The compression spring causes the snare to lock upon the animal when the trap is activated, and the flexible tube reduces the possibility of rope burns or other injury to the animal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To make the invention you begin with a length of flexible wire rope or other resilient cable suitable for constructing a snare. We begin by constructing the locking end of the snare. Place and clamp a deer stop near the end of the cable allowing sufficient cable length to slide a piece of flexible tube and the snare lock over the cable. Slide the flexible tube and the snare lock over the cable. Finish this end by clamping a single ferrule to the cable end. Pass the opposite end of the cable through the snare lock. Pass the spring retention washer over the cable. Install a “J” clip on the cable at such a distance to allow full compression of the spring behind the clip. Slide the compression spring over the cable. The spring must be of sufficient length to close the loop of the snare to the deer stop when relieved of compression. Install a single ferrule, to act as a spring stop, at a sufficient distance from the cable end to allow full compression of the spring between this single ferrule and the “J” clip. Slide a double ferrule over the cable to create the tie-off loop.

Description of How the Invention Operates/Functions

To set the trap, begin by preparing the snare. Fully compress the snare spring and clip the spring retention washer behind the “J” clip to hold the spring under full compression. Set the snare aside.

Apply pressure to the trap levers and allow the jaws to fall open. With the jaws open, lay a section of the large loop of the snare between the pan and dog so that the snare lies on the jaw with the dog over both the snare and jaw. Position the free end of the dog under the pan to set the pan-dog trigger mechanism and push the pan to the full up position. Adjust the snare so that it completely encircles the jaws of the trap and rests on the snare support bar. The opposite end of the snare is now fed through the PVC tube and attached to the cable or chain that is anchored to the ground.

With a rocking motion, move the spring retention washer to unlock the snare spring and allow pressure on the jaws. Carefully push the pan down to the horizontal position. The Spring-Loaded Snare is now set.

The trap is activated by pressure on the pan.

When an animal of sufficient weight steps on the pan, the pan moves down releasing the dog and releasing the jaws. The pressure of the torsion springs rapidly cause the jaws to move up. This closing movement of the jaws disconnects the snare from the jaws of the trap forcing the snare to begin upward movement which is further accelerated by the rapid release of compression of the snare spring. As the spring accelerates it forces the snare to close itself around the animal's leg, engaging the lock, and firmly clamping itself. Attempts by the animal to free itself further tighten the snare. Because the snare is set at the same time that the trap is sprung, the animal remains caught by the snare as it steps out of or shakes off the two-jaw trap. The flexible tube on the lock end of the snare further prevents injury to the animal. The tube prevents the snare cable from abrading or cutting the animal thus allowing the animal to be released uninjured.