Small mammals were captured at Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton County, Missouri, using Sherman live traps and Museum Special kill traps in five habitats. Trapping generated 1,078 captures representing 10 species in 6,400 trap nights. Museum Specials captured significantly more small mammals than Sherman live traps. Both types of traps were equally likely to capture males and females and there was no difference in captures among habitats. Significantly more western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) and house mice (Mus musculus) were captured in Museum Specials than in Sherman live traps. Museum Specials were sprung-but-empty significantly more often than Sherman live traps.