Paul,

Snares are like guns 10 people will give you 10 dif answers.

I have been snaring small game since I was 5. What worked for me is a simple slip loop. Twist the end of the wire tightly against the same end to make a loop about 15-20 twists. Pass the other end of wire throught the loop and viola you have a snare. Heavier game requires double and tripple braiding the wire but thats another story.

Your length of wire depends on the location your setting and the animal being snared. EG: rabbit snares will have a 4 inch diameter loop. And are set about 2 inches off the ground attached to a 4 foot long 1 inch diameter stick set across a rabbit run.

There are many tricks to snaring dif animals, too many to go into here but there are good sites that teach the basics.

Best thing is to get out and do it and learn from someone who has done it.

Mike