• Increase your odds of catching prey by gathering all the right materials.Ben Bloom/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  A trapper is only as good as the knowledge and tools he brings along. If you want to have success in the field, you need to make sure you have equipment to both lure and trap the animal. Having the right equipment can turn a day trip into a successful trapping expedition.
  
  

Lures and Baits

• Lures and baits are a pivotal part of the trapper's tool kit. They are placed inside or on top of the traps, and are used to attract the animal to an otherwise unattractive or unnatural fixture. Using lures and baits will dramatically increase your odds of capturing an animal. Lures can be a mix of animal scents designed specifically to lure the prey you want to trap from the brush in search of the odor, and usually come in liquid form. Bait can come in a solid or paste form, in a variety of concoctions that are just as diverse as the prey you're looking to capture.
  
  

Traps

• Hunting traps, just like lures, can come in a variety of designs depending on what animal you're planning to trap. These traps can vary in size and complexity depending on the size of the prey. Often the most cost efficient traps are single door metal cage box traps that allow the animal to enter the trap and restrict it from leaving. Cage door traps aren't lethal, offering no harm to the animal. This is beneficial because it allows you to release an unwanted animal that has wandered into the trap.
  
  Alternatively, a coil spring trap is triggered by the weight of an animal's paw. Once triggered, two arms snap closed, capturing the animal by the leg. This trap is secured to the ground by a stake and a chain to prevent the animal from escaping. Unlike the box trap, the coil spring trap leaves the animal vulnerable for other predators.
  
  

Predator Calls

• Predator calls are designed to mimic the sounds of an animal's prey, luring them from their den or hiding place in search of food. Predator calls are a necessary element in any hunter's tool kit, increasing the hunter's odds of making a catch. These calling tools can come in a variety of different species and mediums. You can choose to purchase an electric or digital animal calling system, taped animal calls or use the more conventional hand held calling tool. Hand held calls are generally less expensive and easier to use, usually only requiring the hunter to blow air through the tool.