We all come to a point in our lives when we begin to wonder how we got so boring. Is there more to this life than just simply working, having drinks with friends, and watching Netflix shows? This usually starts to happen in your late 20s and mid-30s, and that is when you decide you need to spice things up a little bit. You come to realize that you need to travel — there is a whole world out there waiting for you.
But merely traveling to Paris or London is not quite enough. You’ve done that already, and you don’t want to be just another boring tourist. So you decide to go somewhere exotic — a jungle in Africa, for example. Obviously, there are a lot of tourist agencies that offer this type of fantastic experience. You can pay for their services, and they will provide you with an experienced guide who will take you through the safest areas of a jungle. They will know what you can touch, where you shouldn’t step, and how to keep yourself safe from any harm. After all, a jungle is a place where the “eat or be eaten” rule still goes. And you don’t want to become a snack for that huge Water Boa, do you?
However, you definitely have your doubts and second thoughts before you embark on this new adventure. You’re probably thinking of what if you get lost? There’s not a single chance you would last more than a day or two. Well, that’s where you’re wrong.
Believe it or not, we still have the survival instincts that our ancestors made sure to pass down onto us. It’s true that we have gotten used to the comfort of the modern way of living for centuries now, but some of the things are written and hidden deep in our genes.
To survive in the wilderness, one needs to find resources and make sure they don’t starve to death or get sick. Naturally, jungles grow many nutritious fruits, but more often than not, they’re out of your reach. Additionally, they grow on the highest trees where only monkeys can pick them. So to survive, you will need to resort to a technique our ancestors specialized in — hunting.
Don’t worry though — nobody expects you to run after a Puma with a spear and wrestle it. This is where the modern world comes in handy — you can create genius traps in which you can catch all sorts of animals.
How Do You Create a Trap?
Well, let’s start by saying that it is not as easy as it sounds. Moreover, you need to create a trap depending on the size of your prey. You can’t make same traps for smaller and bigger animals, or in case you’re trying to catch fish. These traps can significantly increase your survival in the jungle, especially if you use them correctly. However, this doesn’t mean that you can lie down under a tree and eat a banana as a boar falls into your trap — you need to work hard.
You will also need to find a way to stay safe from predators, such as jaguars and pumas. And if they don’t try to kill you, they just might steal your food while you’re sleeping. So before you learn how to create traps, here are a few basic rules of the jungle you need to know first.
- The Trap Needs to Be Close to Where Animals Hunt or Live
You can’t simply set a trap anywhere and expect to have a cooked meal within hours. You will need to outsmart the animals first. And although we are the most intelligent mammals on this planet, being in the jungle means you’re way out of your territory. So, in this case, a monkey is much smarter than you are.
You should set a trap in the areas where animals feed, so try to find places where you can see fruits and seeds drop. Also, if you see a tree roots above the ground, it could also be a sign that some animals come nearby frequently. Some mammals love eating roots as they’re very nutritious. Also, if you see random routes through the bushes, it usually means armadillos or deer cross through the area. Some animals that live under the ground have exits that you can use for a trap. Those ones are often the easiest to catch.
- Your Natural Scent Betrays You
Animals, especially the predators, don’t use eyesight as their primary sense — they either use smell or hearing. So one thing you need to know is that the animals you’re hunting are also being hunted by animals which are much better at it than you ever could be. These smaller animals that everyone wants to use for food are cautious and fast. If you create traps, there’s a high chance that your smell will stick around. This will alert all the smaller animals to stay away and by-pass your trap easily.
You can prevent this from happening by not using your machete for the trap material. Instead, try to resort to jungle material exclusively. Create everything from wood, and it probably won’t have your smell all over it.
- Jungle Is Full of Stalkers
Do you think your ex-partner was good at stalking for no reason at all? Of course not! Stalking is a skill that many animals love to use as well, although they use it for survival only. As you’re setting up your traps, a lot of mammals are observing you from within the bushes and tree branches. So once you actually catch an animal, there’s a very high chance some other predator will steal it from you. That’s how the jungle works. Nobody will ask for your permission first.
- Your Prey Can Be Dangerous
This could be the most important thing you should be aware of. Your prey won’t always be a small and harmless mammal. It can often be a dangerous animal ready to chop you into pieces out of self-defense. But even smaller animals can be dangerous. Some rodents have teeth so sharp that they can cut through your flesh like a razor. And since you’re in a jungle, there’s a high chance you will catch a piranha — and they can definitely bite all the way to your bones.
So be careful, because even your prey has a way to defend itself. And if it gets the chance, it will hurt you just to survive.
Traps 101
Now that you know where to set your traps up and how to approach your prey, it’s time for you to learn how to create these traps. When you’re in a position to survive, nothing can help you more than meat — it is filled with nutrients and calories that provide you with energy. Obviously, there are thousands of traps depending on what you’re trying to catch, so here are a few of the best ones.
Grave’s Bait Stick Snare
This just might be one of the easiest traps you could make, and it often ends up catching smaller animals. Should you ever try to build this trap, you’d need to have a spring pole, a forked stake, a snare line with a trigger line, a bait stick, a pencil toggle stick, and, naturally, some bait. To set up the trap, you need to push the forked stake into the ground. Keep bending the pole down until you see that snare is touching the ground. After this, you need to tie your pencil toggle to one of the trigger’s ends. Put the toggle under the fork in the ground. Once you test the trap, it should work quick enough before the animal can react.
Deadfall Trap
This could be one of the easiest, and deadliest traps out there. Unlike other traps, this one is sort of merciful as it kills your prey immediately, without any pain. Additionally, it is really easy to set up — all you need is a heavy rock and a simple stick construction to handle the rock.
Basically, you need two sticks, one that will be screwed into the ground and the other to hold the rock. There should be a string between the two sticks that trigger the trap the moment an animal touches it. It will make sure that the heavy rock falls onto the prey.
Obviously, this trap is not the best when it comes to catching bigger animals, but it is perfect for rodents such as mice and rats. Make sure to be careful while setting the trap. There’s a chance it can fall on your fingers and even break a few. That’s an injury you definitely don’t need while you’re in the survival mode.
OJibwa Bird Pole
When it comes to prey, mammals are among the trickiest ones to catch. Birds and fish, on the other hand, are by far the easiest, so there’s more chance of catching them. Be careful though. When it comes to birds, you will usually catch the smaller species. Although these taste similar to chicken, they provide approximately 100 calories. If you’re lost in the jungle, this won’t mean much to you. But they will provide for a tasty snack, either way.
To create the OJibwa Bird pole, you will need a large branch, a thick stick, a rock the size of your fist, a 3–4-foot long rope, and a pocket knife. Seriously, never go into the jungle without a pocket knife.
Sharpen both ends of the pole with your pocket knife, and stick one part into the ground. Next, you need to drill a hole through the pole and tie one end of the rope around your rock. Put the thin stick through the hole you previously created in the pole, and make sure it can move a bit.
Put the string through a hole, and tie a knot in it. Then, tie a knot at each end of the stick, large enough to stick your fist through. Now, you need to put the end of the rope through the knot and tie a simple knot where the two sticks meet. The best place to set this trap is in an open area, where there are not a lot of trees. This will increase your chances of a bird landing on the trap.
Fish Funnel Trap
This is probably the easiest thing you can do to survive — catch a couple of fish. The good thing about fish meat is that it is filled with proteins and omega-3 acids, which is fat, only healthy. The funnel trap is extremely easy to create and will almost guarantee catching something overnight.
What you need to do is make something similar to a detour in the river. You need to create two walls using rocks that will lead the fish into a small lake that you created. Between two piles of rocks should be a log, and the entrance into the small lake you’ve created should be very thin. Just enough for the fish to swim in. Don’t worry though, because fish probably won’t leave your small lake as they will feel comfortable in it — there are fewer predators. Once you visit your trap, the chances are high there will be a lot of fish in it. You can use a spear or a net to catch them and then roast them. Make sure you clean it thoroughly before you roast it — you wouldn’t want to suffocate with a small bone.
Also, piranha often eat other fish, so make sure you visit your self-made lake as frequently as you can, or piranha will enter and eat all your prey. You can eat the piranha too, but they are usually very dangerous to meddle with, so be careful.
Practice Makes Perfect
Hopefully, you’re reading this text weeks before your new adventure, so you’ll have plenty of time to practice creating these traps in your backyard. Also, you don’t necessarily need to be lost and alone to use the traps, you can do it with your friends when camping. There’s a high chance you’ll catch at least something and feel very connected to our cavemen ancestors.
In case you ever do get lost though, the easiest way to survive is by consuming enough food to give you the energy you need. Be wary of predators and poisonous snakes that live on the trees. Additionally, there are plenty of poisonous insects as well — anything from caterpillars to spiders, so watch where you land your feet. To prevent all this from happening, make sure to always stick with your group and guide. You will probably have a fantastic experience and won’t have to worry about surviving through the day.
So all you have to do is pick a country with a lot of jungles and rainforests in it. Many adventurers adore going to Brazil and African countries as they’re homes to some of very dense jungles. These countries have recognized the riches and the potential of jungle tourism, and they offer organized tours for all of you who want a different experience.
There have barely been any cases of people getting lost so far, so I doubt there is anything you need to worry about. Have a safe trip!