Ok Doc, we're gonna disagree on this one but that's ok.
Snares get destroyed, conibears are reusable. Cordage is not a reusable snare, it is a single use snare, two at best if your checking them frequently.
I don't think we're disagreeing. I think we are just anticipating different needs or our preparation is different. One of my most favourite topics is expedient trap triggers and my buds and I spend time with them. Where we do disagree is about cordage not being reusable. Cordage is the ultimate reusable outdoor resource, if you know how to make cordage.
Although not trap oriented, this is how versatile cordage is:
This is unraveled denim (jeans) material that was made into a successful string for a bow drill set. If it breaks, you just remake it.
Or how about an unraveled web belt:
That's just what your wearing, then there is a myriad of plant material that makes excellent cordage. Some Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis):
Think about early peoples - they didn't have Conibears, but they survived quite handily. If I was in a situation that I needed traps, would I prefer Conibears to cordage on a one to one basis - of course, but as a survival preparation, in a pack, they are weight prohibitive. It all depends on your need. My hope would be to never need them.
As you know, Bruce is not a fan of single strand wire either for the same reason. I think there's an article on his site about trying to give them a fair shot yet again, and losing captured targets too many times from tear ups.
My buddy, Slasher has been snaring rabbits for the last 50 odd years (out of necessity, originally). Slasher is from Newfoundland and his rabbit snaring (and his brothers') helped to keep the family fed. He and his brothers still go snaring once a year. BTW, he doesn't like single strand wire, but uses picture wire. He says that single strand wire is adversely affected during weather where it is below freezing at night and above freezing during the day. It makes it brittle or something.
Depending upon how long you're out there, you'd carry much more poundage in rebuild wire than you will every carry with 3-6 highly reusable #110's in your ruck (I wouldn't pack #220's). I would carry snares though. Just not depend on them exclusively. If the canoe goes over the falls with all my gear, I've got way bigger problems than snares and traps at that point, expecially if its the wrong time of year.
You have other problems, granted, but not insurmountable, and, food is not an immediated priority, in any case, shelter is. And if you're canoeing, the weather probably isn't at its most severe. And as far as depending on them exclusively, of course not. There's also deadfalls, throwing sticks, atlatls, expedient bows, etc.
The goal for me is to become skilled enough to use only primitive sets, then cordage is all that is required. But that takes a lot more time than I have to devote.
There's the difference - wilderness survival and primitive skills are my obsession and what I devote my time to.
I do like snares, but given the choice of only one, give me 6 #110's in the pack.
As said earlier, this is my take, YMMV, and that's what makes it interesting.
Doc
