Beaver Floats?

[BK]

I feel kinda silly asking about this as I by no means would care to lug many of these around to trap beaver.
But .........I have several places on my line where trespass is an issue I think I could pick up a few under bridges that I couldn't otherwise if a float would work.

[trappnman]

Man- don't give up all your secrets.....

how aboot some details?

[rk660]

Yep, there are a few places a float for 330's works very well at times. 6-8" cedar 30" long nailed together in a V like a rat float, chainsaw notches in cedars to hold a 330 by the springs, a couple of cross braces on bottom side.

[trappnman]

Now wait a minute rich- are you telling me you have a 330 sitting on top of a float- and it consistently catches beaver?

Just watched "Grease", so...."tell me more, tell me more..." ;D

[Maineman]

Edge, I like the way you think...Is there any way to get a picture of sketch of your setup? Appriciate the information...Thanks

[BK]

I made one up, gonna give it a whirl. I varnished mine so she won't soak up too quick.

I trap a lot of beaver every year with castor where they are swimming around trying to figure out where I put it. This holds their attention longer than a castor mound, and I can do it where the water is too deep for them to stand up.

[dj88ryr]

Hey BK, in the summer they can double as " Weiner Dog " floats ;D

[BK]

LOL, I used satin varnish I may get ripped off but their gonna have waders on to do it. I gotta try this.

DJ if there were mink involved my dogs would take an interest. ;D

[trappnman]

Why on earth woyuld a beaver be more attracted to "castor" alone rather than "castor" on a mound?

If they are attracted to castor......

[woodtick]

I use the hidden lure trick alot. I like it in areas that are flooded, especially timber where theres not much spot for a conventional set. I mix raw, but dried castor mixed with vaseline, and just smear it on the appropriate rock or tree.
Hal Sullivan uses a set like this that he calls the
"lost lure set"

[trappnman]

I just have a hard time believeing that an average beaver is going to avoid a castor set because of the mud involved. Granted, I use a small pile- just enough to hold a stick with lure on it-but......

The smell of he castor is the draw- his instincts are going to take over.

Concerning footholds on floats? Why would footholds be at a disadvantage? I have never made or trapped from a beaver float- but have done so with rats quite a bit years ago. You have to make sure the foothold doesn't slide off the float or misfire- but this was easily taken care of.

[BK]

Once they ben to class Steve, they can and do become mound shy. while they may answer your set by pushing up mud and castor above and or below your set, they won't come to that spot.
This is when one must open your bag of tricks and find the one that works.
I think Buzz and Bogmaster to name a couple could add to this.

[trappnman]

I guess that why I like footholds- blind sets.

To be honest- I never get onto shy beaver that are made shy by castor or footholds (unless i did it my self ) -simply becasue 99% of the beaver trappers around here use 330s.

[BK]

Edge,...... I built me one of those floats............that stupid thing works like a charm. ;D LOL

I have the 330 in groves cut in the end,.........when the trap fires it drives the trap onto the beaver,they're suitcased.

[BK]

It just looks so silly Edge.........I laugh every time I take one out.

[rk660]

I learned of these floats in a beaver trapping book out of washington or oregon state i think, think his name was wesley something or nother. dont have the book anymore so thats the best i can do. cedar works best as it wont absorb water and sink like other woods I have used. Nice thing is the open end of "v" faces downstream in current and beaver are usually approaching it from downstream side if in current.

[musher]

If I understand this correctly, in the set you describe trappers use a 7 foot long "V" shaped float with a 330 at the wide end and beaver lure at the small end. The wide part of the "V" faces downstream. I just learned something - again!

I've seen it for 'rats but the wide part of the "V" faced upstream and no lure was used. The "V" was ditch wide and a foothold, perched on a board, was at the narrow spot. Any 'rat had to go through the "V" to travel down the ditch.

[BK]

The one I made is like 4 ft long ........but I had to use styrofoam under it to get it to float right.
But she works like a charm.

[BK]

Here you go,............................

[T-Bar]

Is there a piece of wood under the logs?

What is to keep the beaver from swimming under the 330 to get to the castor?