Has anyone used the poly-coated stainless steel fishing leader for snare wire? I have actually used the small steel cable and it works fine but the leader is not as bulky and much more flexible. I picked up some 120 lb test but I am concerned how the poly coating will perform especially in very cold weather. I have stuck it in the freezer and it does not seem to adversely affect it.

Not as snare wire, because except in long term situations in the right environment, I don't snares are viable. I have and do use poly-coated SS leader line/cable as high density, high stength utility line. You can put a bunch in a small space -- just be sure you have the right crimping sleaves and the right tool to cut and crimp. I personally think it is great stuff, but it must be use carefully, because if you load it a lot, it will cut through the load long before it fails. I.e., deer tendons.

I have used some of this on training exercises, and it seems to work fine. Plain wire fishing leaders work great too, get at least 30lb test. And remember, it takes A LOT of snares, the sucess ratio can be as high as 20 to 1, you have to set out 20 snares, in runs, trails, front of dens ect to catch one animal. The exception is the squirrel pole. I have seen one of these take 4 squirrel in less than an hour

What's a squirrel pole?

Thanks,
Steve

Find a tree that squirrels are living in. Put multiple snares on a branch and lean branch against tree. Squirrels run on branch going to/from tree and get caught in snares. Most survival books have an illustration that says it all.Simple, easy and effective.

Dave

Click HERE. The squirrel pole is pictured on page 8-15. This is from the US Army survival manual Doug has provided on this site.

Regards, Vince