Split Stick Deadfall Trap
Learn how to build and use a split stick deadfall trap for survival situations. Beginner-friendly instructions, safety tips, materials, and expert fieldcraft advice.
What a Split Stick Deadfall Trap Is
A split stick deadfall is a simple, primitive trap used to catch small animals using a falling weight (usually a rock or heavy log). The trigger is made from a stick that’s been split down the middle, creating a springy “clamp” that holds the weight up until something disturbs the bait.
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Unlike more complicated traps with carved notches, the split stick deadfall works through natural tension. It’s fast to build, uses only a knife or sharp edge, and works well in survival or bushcraft situations where time and materials are limited.
This guide walks you through each step so even someone who’s never built a trap before can build one safely.
→ All Items with a split stick deadfall
Why the Split Stick Deadfall Matters
Fastest Deadfall to Build
Other traps require notches, carving, shaping, or balancing.
A split stick takes minutes.
Uses Only Common Natural Materials
Everything can be made from:
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Two sticks
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A rock
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A little cordage (optional)
Works With Many Bait Types
Seeds, nuts, berries, insects, fish guts, or anything with a scent.
Great for Survival Practice
It teaches:
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Balance
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Tension control
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Trigger design
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Animal behavior
Quiet, No Gear Needed
And nothing modern breaks or fails.
How a Split Stick Deadfall Works
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A heavy object (rock/log) is propped up.
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A stick is split down the middle to form a clamp-like trigger.
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A secondary stick (bait stick) is wedged inside the split.
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The tension holds everything in place.
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When the animal touches the bait stick, the split stick releases.
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The rock falls.
Simple tension release = effective trap.
Materials You Need
The Deadfall Weight
Choose:
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A large, flat rock
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A heavy log
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A slab of wood
Needs to be heavy enough to kill small game quickly.
The Split Stick
Best stick size:
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Straight
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About thumb thickness
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6 to 10 inches long
The Bait Stick
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Pencil thickness
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4 to 6 inches long
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Used to wedge inside the split
Optional Cordage
Used to:
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Tie the split so it doesn’t split too far
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Add stability
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Improve consistency
How to Make the Split Stick Trigger
Step 1: Find a Straight Stick
The straighter, the better.
Avoid rotten or wet wood.
Step 2: Make a Center Split
Use:
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A knife
-
A sharp stone
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A micro tool blade
Split the stick lengthwise halfway down the center.
Step 3: Control the Split
You want a split that:
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Opens slightly under pressure
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Springs closed when released
If it splits too far, bind the top with:
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Cord
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Bark strips
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Roots
Step 4: Test the Tension
Push the split open with your fingers.
It should resist just a little.
That resistance is what creates your trigger.
How to Build the Trap
Step 1: Set Up the Deadfall Weight
Prop one side of your rock or log off the ground (4–6 inches).
Step 2: Place the Split Stick
One end touches the ground.
The upper end presses against the deadfall weight.
Step 3: Insert the Bait Stick
Wedge the bait stick inside the split.
This creates the “lock” that holds the rock up.
Step 4: Add Bait
Place the bait on the far end of the bait stick so the animal must tug or push it.
Step 5: Adjust for Balance
This is the trickiest part.
You want:
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Enough tension for stability
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Light enough trigger that the smallest touch releases it
Tiny adjustments make a big difference.
Setting the Grim Workshop Split Stick Deadfall
This trap uses two flat, notched pieces that interlock under tension. The moment the bait stick is disturbed, the tension breaks, the pieces separate, and the deadfall weight drops. Think of it like a classic split-stick trigger, but flattened and simplified for survival use.
1. Gather the three pieces
You should have:
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Two flat trigger sticks (each with recessed or notched ends)
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One bait stick (the pin that holds everything in tension)
Optional but helpful:
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A smooth, flat spot to set the trap
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A stable rock or log as the deadfall weight
2. Place your deadfall weight
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Prop up your rock, log, or heavy object so there’s enough space underneath for your trigger setup and the animal’s head or body.
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Don’t lift the whole thing with your hands; leverage it with another stick so you’re not beneath it.
Your trigger will hold this weight up. So make sure it’s stable enough for setup, but unstable enough that the trigger can release it.
3. Position the two flat sticks
These are the core of the trap.
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Hold Trigger Stick A in one hand, Trigger Stick B in the other.
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Align them so the recessed ends overlap, creating a straight line when viewed from the side.
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The recessed ends should nest together cleanly.
These recesses are what allow the bait stick to lock the whole thing in place.
Right now, they’re just touching. They will not stay together on their own. That’s normal.
4. Insert the bait stick to lock the trigger
This is the critical step.
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Slide the bait pin (bait stick) over the aligned recesses of the two flat sticks. You may need to pinch the two pieces together tightly to help it slide on
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The bait pin effectively clamps the two sticks together by friction, creating the tension that supports the deadfall.
- Adjust the bait pin making it as sensitive as needed
Think of the bait stick as the “linchpin.”
No bait stick = the whole trigger collapses.
5. Put the trigger under the deadfall weight
Once the bait stick is in place:
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Raise your deadfall slightly using a wedge or support stick.
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Slide the assembled trigger unit under the edge of the weight.
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Only one end of the trigger supports the weight; the other end is free and exposed to the animal.
Orientation notes:
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The two flat sticks are the upright post.
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The bait stick (Horizontal) goes near the front, where the animal interacts with it.
Once balanced correctly, the trap stands only because the bait stick is holding the two trigger sticks locked together.
6. Set the bait
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Apply bait directly on the bait stick so the animal must disturb it to reach the reward.
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A light tug, nose nudge, or lick should shift the bait stick just enough to free it.
This is a tension-based trap, not a snare. Anything that bumps that pin will send the weight down.
7. Trigger action (what happens next)
When the animal touches the bait stick:
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The bait stick slips out, or even a slight push rotates it enough to slide free.
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Without that pin, the two flat trigger sticks immediately fall apart.
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The deadfall loses support, drops instantly, and delivers the kill.
There’s no half-triggering and no jam points.
The whole system is designed so the slightest disturbance ends the balancing act.
Where to Set the Trap
Animal Trails
Look for:
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Flattened grass
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Tracks
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Droppings
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Repeated paths
Burrow Entrances
Set right outside the hole.
Water Edges
Animals drink here daily.
Food Sources
Berries, seeds, mushroom patches.
Under Logs
Good for mice, voles, and small animals.
What Animals This Trap Can Take
Bait Options
For Rodents
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Peanut butter
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Nuts
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Seeds
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Grains
For Squirrels
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Corn
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Sunflower seeds
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Nut meats
For Birds
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Berries
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Cracked corn
For Lizards
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Insects
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Small bits of fish
Safety Tips
Do Not Put Fingers Under a Set Trap
You won’t win that fight.
Be Careful With the Rock
Heavy stones roll surprisingly easily on slopes.
Practice Before You Need It
Don’t wait until an emergency to learn.
Use Only in Legal Situations
Most places restrict trapping without permits.
Be Aware of Animals
Traps can attract animals you didn’t intend to catch.
Improvised Versions
If You Don’t Have a Knife
Split the stick by:
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Wedging it against a rock edge
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Snapping it carefully
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Using another rock as a wedge
If You Don’t Have a Perfect Stick
Use:
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Bark folded into a clamp
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A forked branch as the tension device
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A carved wedge system
If You Don’t Have a Suitable Rock
Use:
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Firewood rounds
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Thick logs
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Weighted boards
As long as it crushes downward, it should work.
FAQ
Q: Is a split stick deadfall hard for beginners?
A: No. It’s one of the easiest survival traps to build.
Q: Do I need a knife?
A: A knife helps, but you can split the stick using rocks.
Q: Why use this instead of a figure-four trap?
A: It’s faster, simpler, and works with fewer carved parts.
Q: How long does it take to build?
A: 5 to 10 minutes for beginners.
1 to 2 minutes for experienced users.
Q: What if the trap keeps falling apart?
A: Your split stick tension is too high or the bait stick is too thick.
Q: What if the rock won’t stay up?
A: Reduce the deadfall height or adjust the angle of the trigger.
Q: Do animals avoid deadfalls?
A: No. Most small animals focus entirely on food—not the structure.
Q: Can I reuse the same trigger?
A: Yes. A good split stick can last many resets.
Q: Is bait needed?
A: Strongly recommended. Scent is what brings animals in.
Q: Is this legal to use recreationally?
A: Always check local laws. Many places allow traps only in emergencies.
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