What are dead-fall traps primarily designed to do?

Dead-fall traps are primarily designed to capture furbearers, which include animals such as raccoons, opossums, and coyotes. This type of trap operates on a simple mechanism where a weighted structure, often resembling a heavy log or rock, falls upon the target animal when it interacts with a trigger mechanism. The design is specifically effective for capturing terrestrial mammals that are typically found in areas where such traps can be set up discreetly.

The focus on furbearers is significant in wildlife management and trapping practices, as these animals are often targeted for their pelts and for population control. The effectiveness of dead-fall traps in targeting these species makes them a popular choice among trappers aiming to manage wildlife populations or harvest pelts sustainably.

Other choices involve animals or situations not suited for dead-fall trap designs. For example, capturing birds requires different mechanisms that accommodate their flight and roosting behaviors, while trapping fish involves entirely different strategies and tools. Protecting crops generally requires deterrents or exclosures rather than traps designed for capturing animals. Therefore, the design and intended use of dead-fall traps align clearly with the objective of capturing furbearers.