What’s a Figure 6 Hog Trap?
A figure 6 hog trap is a type of corral trap that is easy to build and super effective at capturing feral hogs. Like most corral traps, the trap is built using livestock panels and is primarily round in shape. The trap gets its name from the fact that the shape of the trap resembles the number 6 if you were to look at it from above.
The figure 6 results because the two ends of the circle do not match up like a corral trap with a standard swing or drop gate. Instead, one end of a livestock panels runs long and the other livestock panel folds in. The result of this hog trap design is that a funnel and a repeating door are created, which is effective and getting hogs into the trap and not letting them out.
This type of hog trap can be built with as few as 2 16-foot livestock panels, but bigger is better when it comes to hog trapping. Our recommendation is to use a minimum of at least six 16-foot panels.
How to Make a Figure 6 Hog Trap
Constructing a corral type trap is not difficult. It will require some work, but nothing overly technical.
Corral Trap Design Video: Figure 6
Figure 6 Corral Trap Door
There are a variety of door designs when it comes to hog traps. A good door is the difference between catching a pig and not catching a pig. A well-executed figure 6 door is the difference between catching a few hogs or a whole lot of hogs.
Getting the door right is the key to the figure 6 hog trap. One of the last things done when building a figure 6 trap is finalizing the door. After connecting livestock panels to create a circular shape, the next step will be to play with the configuration so that you end up with a tail end and a door.
The key is getting the last t-post before the confluence of the panels in just the right spot. In most cases, about 4-feet from the end of the inside pane gives the “door” just enough spring. It allows hogs to push their way end, but also enough spring to close the door behind them.
Notice how the tail-end of the top livestock panel runs long, and then the tail-end of the inside panel runs into it. It takes a little adjustment of both panels to get just the right amount of spring action.
6 Reasons to Use a Figure 6 Corral Trap
Corral traps are better than box traps for trapping feral hogs, for a several reasons. Despite the large size of a corral trap, such as a figure 6 design, they are are extremely portable. When disassembled, all the components fit easily onto a standard 16-foot trailer. In fact, you fold up these panels and haul a 2-3 in the back of a standard truck as well.
Here are 6 reasons to use a corral trap for wild pigs:
- It captures many hogs in a single attempt, possibly an entire sounder.
- Deer and other wildlife can get out of the trap.
- Damage to trapped hogs is reduced because of the traps large size.
- The size of a figure 6 trap can vary to fit the size of the job.
- Traps can be large in size, but still very portable.
- A couple of guys, even with little or no experience, can easily build a large figure 6 corral trap in less than a couple of hours.
Panel Size Considerations for Corral Traps
More Hog Trap Resources
- Corral Traps for Feral Hogs
- Feral Hog Trapping Strategies
- Trapping Wild Pigs