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Post by MRussell on Dec 31, 2005 15:16:40 GMT -6
I have been invited to trap the beavers out of a 10 acre lake. The beaver keep plugging the over flow culvert . The care takers put hog panels around this 24inch pipe in a triangle configuration. The point being toward the water. There is a hog panel bottom and another along the bank to block any intruders. Well it ain't working. I think that the smaller beavers are going through the big holes and doing the deed. There are two runs leading to the hog panels and the rest of the levee is pretty much featureless. I can see where beaver have been climbing out occasionally in 5 places on this levee. I found some bank dens but the water is DEEP and murky. What should my plan of attack be?
MR
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Post by Mike Tucker on Dec 31, 2005 17:33:43 GMT -6
MRussel, Personally, I would make several castor mound sets along the levee in the vicinity of the culvert that you described. Gang set to take as many as possible the first night. I prefer to setup initially on the periphery of their territory - not right on top of them if possible. Also, I avoid setting the runs and bank dens right away, but would cover them all later if I felt that any beaver remained after a couple of checks. Good luck. Mike
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Post by MRussell on Dec 31, 2005 18:19:25 GMT -6
Thanks mike, I have caught beaver but it has been with body grippers and mainly in channels and runs. I feel pretty confident with that type of situation. I have some castor based lure and a some food lure. I also have several foot holds setup for flat tails but have not used them enough to be confident. I have read lots of info and a couple of books about the use of foot holds. I just have spent more time honing my skills on coyotes instead of beavers. Thanks again.
MR
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Post by robertw on Dec 31, 2005 20:04:04 GMT -6
Personally I would do it this way.
I would set multiple blind sets (conibears first with snares backing them up in case there is a conibear shy beaver) in the runs leading to the culvert.
I would also set a pair of castor mounds along the levy or damn. When using foot hold traps set the trap where the animal crosses the trap between the jaws and not over a jaw. This is because a beaver's hind foot is so big that it often trips the trap while part of the foot is over a jaw and the jaw lifts the foot as the trap fires. As long as you are using drowning slides set for a front foot catch (2-3inches deep), if you miss the front foot you still have a chance at the rear foot as he crosses the trap.
Do not be afraid of using a snare at a castor mound, if you miss the beaver in the snare he is not trap shy of the set, just re-lure with a new scent and try again.
Hope this helps.
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Post by John Porter on Dec 31, 2005 21:19:57 GMT -6
if you think the small beavers are going through the hog wire--take some time and blank off the openings except a few and hang snares on the wire..
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Post by MRussell on Jan 1, 2006 12:19:12 GMT -6
I really appreciate the input guys I plan on setting the place up tomorrow. I will have a report with pictures in the near future. It is nice to be able to ask a question and not have to wade through a lot of BS on the way to the answer!! ;D Thanks again Fellas, MR
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Post by MRussell on Jan 8, 2006 15:32:48 GMT -6
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Post by trappnman on Jan 9, 2006 7:29:34 GMT -6
looks like a good otter location also.
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Post by MRussell on Jan 9, 2006 21:03:17 GMT -6
Sore Subject! They definitely are not endangered anymore. Maybe one day when the DNR sees fit we can get some legislation passed for a season on bobcats and otters. I caught a blanket today. Had him by the hind foot. Perfect catch could not have asked for a better hold. 50lbs. 48"nose to tail. I have the traps secured with 1/2"x 24" rebar and some #3 twin loop about 6 feet long.I did not use a slide because there is nothing for the animal to tangle up in or pry against.
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Post by dj88ryr on Jan 9, 2006 21:18:21 GMT -6
How about the back side of that culvert? I trapped a similar spot back in NH for a bank that was having problems with the Beaver plugging the culvert. They installed a grate rig like the one shown, a couple days later, the beaver started plugging the culvert from the downstream side, they carry a LOT of material in one night. If you could make a few open top pockets a little ways away from the culvert, and use some castor sets, that might take them as well. You can use either 330s or footholds in that situation. Another option would be drowning rods for your footholds, they will go down the rod, and drown. Nice Beaver by the way
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Post by MRussell on Jan 9, 2006 21:33:45 GMT -6
Thanks DJ. The back side of the culvert is full of rip rap and the drop off it pretty shear. So they have not been able to do anything with backside. I am unfamiliar with a top pocket set. You wouldn't mind educating me would you?
I have seen the drowning rods and they look really slick.How much weight would you recommend at the end of a slide cable should i use them.(I do have some)? From the bank the slope looks pretty friendly until you get about 3 feet deep. Then it goes from wading to flailing in a HURRY!!!
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Post by dj88ryr on Jan 9, 2006 21:52:56 GMT -6
Nothing to it, here is a picture of a buddies Beaver set up in VT. He puts the Castor lure at the back of the topless pocket, you can use a stick and just stick it in at the back or make a mud mound. This set up will work with either bodygrippers as in this pic, or with footholds. As far as weight, I would use a burlap bag and weight it with rocks, as many and as heavy as you can manage, but then you need a way to retrive the slide lock and your catch. That is why I prefer the rods, you stick them in the bottom and stake at the top, to retrieve your catch, you can just pull the rod up. There is a bubble welded on the shaft to stop the L bracket from coming off. You don't even have to get in the water to retrieve it. Mine are a bit oversize 8' long 3/8 " steel. They are not conducive to carrying around the line, you place them at locations while you are out scouting.
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Post by MRussell on Jan 10, 2006 22:16:37 GMT -6
Thanks !!! Why didn't I think of that ! I could use that set at a number of places.
The rods sound a lot better than the cables and wires. That is the one thing that gets me about beaver trapping. All that wading mud and water. A guy is bound to fall in on the coldest day when he is furthest from his wheels!
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Post by foxtrapperwoman on Jan 10, 2006 22:25:51 GMT -6
Best way to dispatch a beaver alive like that? Reel it in? I had a live one today, got her foot in a 280 somehow, very alive and slapping the tail all over, but in a side channel that is narrow so I just had to stand on the bank and make her poke her head out and not splash water all over me and I knocked her with the coni setter to stun her good and held her under till she drowned.
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Post by dj88ryr on Jan 10, 2006 22:53:29 GMT -6
A guy is bound to fall in on the coldest day when he is furthest from his wheels! ;D ;D Yep, that is why I keep a change of clothes and an extra pair of waders in the truck, it isn't IF you fall in, it is for all the times you know you are going to take a swim, it happens.....OFTEN ;D
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Post by MRussell on Jan 11, 2006 19:14:42 GMT -6
Dispatch live beaver? Well I don't know how everyone else does it but , I was told that beaver have thin skulls and a rap on the head is all it takes. They were right.
I used my cable stake driver. worked like a charm. Just don't get carried away ;D.
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Post by briankroberts on Jan 11, 2006 19:53:27 GMT -6
Nice pictures Monte, I only wish I was in the land of Cheap Beaver and Muddy Coyotes....B.....
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Post by trappnman on Jan 12, 2006 7:12:52 GMT -6
Instead of having them go up, go down, back and forth, and me splashing myself sevreal times trying to hit them before they duck back under, I just shoot them. They do have a thin skull though and one good blow usually does the job.
I had a beaver job at a power plant where it was ALL rip rap. I made rock cubbies and used them with castor. I did use footholds, not 330s. Just want I like.
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Post by MRussell on Jan 13, 2006 20:01:31 GMT -6
Brian we have plenty of cheap beaver and muddy coyotes and you are welcome to come and chase them with me. We got a 3" rain a few days ago and more since. I pulled all but 3 of my traps. Once the water stabilizes I have some more cheap beaver to whack! And two more farms to hits for muddy coyotes.
Tman not much splashing going on with either one.However if we could shoot them here in Illinois I most certainly would!
MR
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Post by musher on Jan 14, 2006 16:05:31 GMT -6
Is that a man-made lake? The culvert looks like its on a levee.
Trapping beaver in short sleeves. No flies, no cold. It isn't my world!
Nice pics. It's interesting to see the beaver proof set up. I thought beaver would just plug the entire grillwork.
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