W6 Hog Trap
The W6 trap is an improved version of the circle 6 trap. It takes the best ideas from the Wexford trap (Heart shaped trap) and modifies it for the W6 trap. For the beginner I have enclosed the links to the instructions for the Wexford trap and other hog trap information. The Wexford is just more trap than a lot of people want to build. I built one with 8 cow panels and love it but tapping that many t-posts nearly got me down. The W6 trap can be built with two panels (~10 ft diameter). I would recommend at least 3 (~20 ft diameter) or 4 panels.
Materials used for the trap
?# panels- 4x4x60x20’ Use the 4x4 panel because it will contain small piglets.
?# 6 ft t-posts fig one ever 4-5 feet plus trap entrance set up
50 feet slick wire 12.5 gauge
T-post driver and 8 lb sledge
2x2 about 2 ft long for stabilizer and trigger
1 -2 inch hinge
Some extra panel or gate for opening
A disadvantage of the circle 6 is there is no good way to get the animals out of the trap either dead or alive.
An easy fix is to stop the circle and place a 3 or 4 ft gap between cow panels. This gap can be left open to help train the hogs to come in or closed. You place a separate panel or part of a panel on the inside to close the gap. Tie the inside panel down so that can be opened to removed your hogs out of the trap (dead or alive).
Another disadvantage is the instructions for most circle 6 or Wexford trap instructions leave the entry gap in the closed position and the hogs are supposed to push thru the small opening. A better idea is to wedge the cow panel trap panel open so that the hogs can easily enter and feed inside the trap. For the opening I cut a ~24 inch piece of 2x2 notched the ends so you can tie the opening open for the training period. Trigger uses a piece of the same length 2x2 as above ~24 inches long. The 2x2 is notched to fit on the panel then cut in half and the two pieces are hinged in the middle. A staple is placed close to the middle to tie the trap string to. The string is run to the back of the trap to another t-post and down to make a trigger device. There are two types of trigger sets. Reference articles below.
Building:
First set the outside panel with a t-post on the end, then one at 3 feet, and another at 3 feet. The trap design bends the end of the outside cow panel out to make your funnel into the trap. The next two t-posts run in a straight line then start to bend around to make the circle. Tie the panel in place on the first three t-posts. Leave the panel end loose for now.
After you set the outside panel to the t-posts come back to set the inside panel. Set a t-post 24 inches across from the second
t-post on outside panel and set a t-post 14 inches across from the 3rd post on outside panel. Leave the panel end loose for now.
Place your inside panel next. Extend the inside panel at least 3 ft past the t-post set at 14 inches. Make sure the inside panel fits tightly against the outside panel. This is the most important part of the trap along with the support on the outside panel. Tie wire the inside panel to place to both t-posts. *You can move the outside panel in (if needed) to make good contact with the inside panel end. Next place a T-post on the outside panel to support the inside panel edge when the trap is closed.
Decide how big your trap will be and where you want to allow for an opening or gate.
Now attach a panel to the free end of the external panel allow 8 inches of overlap and tie together with tie wire
Attach a panel to the free end of the internal panel allow 8 inches panel overlap and tie together with tie wire.
Pull the panels together in a circle allowing for the gap. When you are satisfied with the circle then start at the secured ends and place t-posts at the over laps and every 4 to 5 feet along the panels. (Do not tap t-posts down the last couple of inches.) Use the slick wire to tie the trap down to the t-post starting as the entrance to the trap when finished tap the t-posts down the last 2 or 3 inches and that will help keep the wire at or slightly below ground level. Securing the trap is covered in the links below. Put a brace across the 14” t-post bracing the two t–posts together. Again notched wood with proper wiring works well.
I have a feeder in my pen and also a roller jug of corn. Please look at the links below.
Wexford trap diagram for visual information. Print this first to help visualize the above set up which is very similar. The W6 is a simplification of this trap with all the benefits.
Good pictures of Wexford trap set and trigger set up.
Trap trigger set up.
General hog information and trap trigger info.
Good luck with your trapping.
The W6 trap is an improved version of the circle 6 trap. It takes the best ideas from the Wexford trap (Heart shaped trap) and modifies it for the W6 trap. For the beginner I have enclosed the links to the instructions for the Wexford trap and other hog trap information. The Wexford is just more trap than a lot of people want to build. I built one with 8 cow panels and love it but tapping that many t-posts nearly got me down. The W6 trap can be built with two panels (~10 ft diameter). I would recommend at least 3 (~20 ft diameter) or 4 panels.
Materials used for the trap
?# panels- 4x4x60x20’ Use the 4x4 panel because it will contain small piglets.
?# 6 ft t-posts fig one ever 4-5 feet plus trap entrance set up
50 feet slick wire 12.5 gauge
T-post driver and 8 lb sledge
2x2 about 2 ft long for stabilizer and trigger
1 -2 inch hinge
Some extra panel or gate for opening
A disadvantage of the circle 6 is there is no good way to get the animals out of the trap either dead or alive.
An easy fix is to stop the circle and place a 3 or 4 ft gap between cow panels. This gap can be left open to help train the hogs to come in or closed. You place a separate panel or part of a panel on the inside to close the gap. Tie the inside panel down so that can be opened to removed your hogs out of the trap (dead or alive).
Another disadvantage is the instructions for most circle 6 or Wexford trap instructions leave the entry gap in the closed position and the hogs are supposed to push thru the small opening. A better idea is to wedge the cow panel trap panel open so that the hogs can easily enter and feed inside the trap. For the opening I cut a ~24 inch piece of 2x2 notched the ends so you can tie the opening open for the training period. Trigger uses a piece of the same length 2x2 as above ~24 inches long. The 2x2 is notched to fit on the panel then cut in half and the two pieces are hinged in the middle. A staple is placed close to the middle to tie the trap string to. The string is run to the back of the trap to another t-post and down to make a trigger device. There are two types of trigger sets. Reference articles below.
Building:
First set the outside panel with a t-post on the end, then one at 3 feet, and another at 3 feet. The trap design bends the end of the outside cow panel out to make your funnel into the trap. The next two t-posts run in a straight line then start to bend around to make the circle. Tie the panel in place on the first three t-posts. Leave the panel end loose for now.
After you set the outside panel to the t-posts come back to set the inside panel. Set a t-post 24 inches across from the second
t-post on outside panel and set a t-post 14 inches across from the 3rd post on outside panel. Leave the panel end loose for now.
Place your inside panel next. Extend the inside panel at least 3 ft past the t-post set at 14 inches. Make sure the inside panel fits tightly against the outside panel. This is the most important part of the trap along with the support on the outside panel. Tie wire the inside panel to place to both t-posts. *You can move the outside panel in (if needed) to make good contact with the inside panel end. Next place a T-post on the outside panel to support the inside panel edge when the trap is closed.
Decide how big your trap will be and where you want to allow for an opening or gate.
Now attach a panel to the free end of the external panel allow 8 inches of overlap and tie together with tie wire
Attach a panel to the free end of the internal panel allow 8 inches panel overlap and tie together with tie wire.
Pull the panels together in a circle allowing for the gap. When you are satisfied with the circle then start at the secured ends and place t-posts at the over laps and every 4 to 5 feet along the panels. (Do not tap t-posts down the last couple of inches.) Use the slick wire to tie the trap down to the t-post starting as the entrance to the trap when finished tap the t-posts down the last 2 or 3 inches and that will help keep the wire at or slightly below ground level. Securing the trap is covered in the links below. Put a brace across the 14” t-post bracing the two t–posts together. Again notched wood with proper wiring works well.
I have a feeder in my pen and also a roller jug of corn. Please look at the links below.
Wexford trap diagram for visual information. Print this first to help visualize the above set up which is very similar. The W6 is a simplification of this trap with all the benefits.
Good pictures of Wexford trap set and trigger set up.
Trap trigger set up.
General hog information and trap trigger info.
Good luck with your trapping.
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