loukut

Loukut are devices designed to capture animals or birds without necessarily killing them. The word is Finnish, loukut being the plural of loukku, and it is used to describe a broad class of trapping devices employed in hunting, pest control, and wildlife research. Traps may rely on bait, camouflage, or triggering mechanisms to seize a target, or they may confine the animal alive for later release or study.

Common forms include mechanical traps, such as spring-loaded traps and snares that tighten around a limb; live traps like cage traps that allow release; pitfall traps used to capture ground-dwelling species; and adhesive traps for smaller insects or rodents. Historically, gin traps and other coercive devices were used in fur trapping, but many of these designs are now restricted or banned in several jurisdictions. Effectiveness and selectivity depend on species, habitat, and the lure or bait used.

In wildlife management and scientific research, loukut are used to capture animals for tagging, health checks, or population monitoring, with procedures designed to minimize stress and injury. Ethical considerations and legal frameworks vary by country and region; some trap types require permits, regular checks, and adherence to welfare guidelines.

In everyday Finnish usage, loukut can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or plans that ensnare people, projects, or strategies.