Dryland foot trapping beaver

[netrap]

I would like to try some dry land beaver trapping this year. I would like to hear from anyone that does this. Best size traps, staking, trap sets etc.. Thanks.

[robertw]

About seven years ago had a pretty good drought going on in Mississippi and I picked up a few (2) beaver at a road intersection in coyotes sets. Both sets had a castor type lure used on them.

This location was at least 3/4 of a mile to the nearest water..Guess those beaver were just traveling trying to get to the river.

They were both front foot caught in 1.75 Victors.

[Heavymetal]

I caught an otter on dry land this season in a cat set. I was using beaver castor lure in a dirthole set. I don't see why you couldn't catch them like this. Im sure they roam out a ways away from the water to gather sticks and such.

[thebeav2]

So what your saying Is that you want to set dry and let the beaver stay on land other then drowning It.
I have caught plenty of beaver by targeting a front foot In shallow water or a dry land situations but I always got them down the slide wire to deep water

Snares would be the way to go If you can use them.

Since a beavers front feet and legs are fairly fragile A smaller trap and plenty of swivels would be the way to go. Less weight on the foot will lessen damage and cut down on losses.

In my opinion I would try and get them down a slide wire and drown them.

Gary

[dj88ryr]

My first question was WHY?? Do you have to take them on land? Is there no place for a set in the water?? Permissions?? It can be done, but I still gotta ask...WHY

[netrap]

I read a article somewhere a while back about this subject. The guy was using I think no.2 traps and dryland trapping them. He stated he had no ringoffs and didn't feel the need to mess with drowners, etc.

[humptulips]

I've heard Dale Billingsly advocate this. I can't say as I agree with him. I think he said he used a trap that made a front foot catch above the joint with 4 feet of cable and a stake. He kept them out of the water. Might have been a #3 northwoods he used. Don't quote me on that.
With the beaver we have here that would be asking for a ring off but maybe it works in Iowa. I don't know it all.

[trappnman]

I was under the impression Dale long chained them in shallow water.

[MRussell]

The long chaining in shallow water works well for me . On the front foot catches that I have made, I use a modified #4 Monty and The beaver are usually caught between the wrist and the elbow. My chain has plenty of swivels(most are within a foot of the trap).
Front or Back foot,If you have a strong trap, no entanglement and a good swivel setup whether on land or shallow water should not matter IMHO.

MR

[Jellyhead]

I've had good luck with a #3 bridger offset and laminated for front footing beaver. I use about 10' of chain, and 3 swivels on the trap chain. Make sure they can't tangle up on roots, and it's nice if they can get to water, but not critical. The reason I started doing this was because I was trapping tidal rivers, and it was the only consistent way to know if my trap was working all the time. I use sack oil for lure, this keeps them from carrying a bunch of crap in they're front feet, like they would with castor. The only downside, is that in spring, they will get bit up like you wouldn't belive.

Aaron

[humptulips]

I'm sure Dale outlined the method I described at the NTA western last year. No entanglement would be an impossibility around here. Just goes to show trapping ain't the same everywhere.

[44]

If I remember right-one of the reasons that Dale B. did this was because otter were illegal in Iowa, and he wanted to be able to let the incidentals go.