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Post by primetime on Jan 18, 2006 8:53:27 GMT -6
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm just a perfectionist, and like doing things right the first time. Whenever I need to reset an area because "I" missed, it bothers me. I was told a #3 was a good trap, and I can't see why it shouldn't work. The front feet on a Beaver are really small, even on the big Beaver. A 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 should hold them just fine, that's why I don't understand it.
I guess there is just a bigger learning curve to catching Beaver with footholds then I ever thought. Not so much with 330's.
Why wasn't there any hair or even a toe in the trap? My dad said it looked like nothing was ever in it, other then it was down at the end of the drowner and wrapped up tight.
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Post by thefoxtrapper on Jan 18, 2006 9:49:55 GMT -6
anyone says they perfected anything in trapping the first go around is fooling themselves, heck Im still perfecting my sets and Im far from a beginner, a #3 is a good trap for front foot, but there are no guarantees in life when setting traps, so I advise you to go big, also the front foot will ring off much quicker than the back, thus greater chance of holding him should something go wrong, each situation is different when setting for beaver, but I want the biggest baddest piece of steel setting there waiting for him, they are strong animals and big animals and they mover around alot, do what you want, but if you would start using large traps i bet your catch will go up, i dont know how many i have caught by a toe or two in the big stuff, them little traps are toys to me, id say you hooked his tail or a toenail and held just enough to reach the end of the slide and then he just kept going, w
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Post by stranger on Jan 19, 2006 6:47:01 GMT -6
The deal is this: 330's are fine for castor mounds, especially when then can be totally submerged. If you are ony going to set the area for a short time, then half submerged is fine. I catch most of my beaver in 330/ 280's in blind sets, but if I'm setting castor mounds and I am going to be in the area for a while, then I use a foot hold, and I mean a real foothold #5, CDR, MB 750, as large of a trap as the law allows. 3's and 4's are great for front foot catches in crawl outs or feed sets, but in my opinion (unless you like toe catches and pull outs), they are a waste of time for the back foot.... But set with what you want. Leaves more of those sharp ones for me to catch. I normally go in after problem beaver when most have educated them and I take out the three footed critters and in this case, with a few exceptions, like an otter population to boot, I aint cheap.
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Post by stranger on Jan 19, 2006 21:36:21 GMT -6
Trapperman had a good point about skills need to be learned. Snares, 330's, and large/small footholds are all tools of the trade. I am no master of anything, but I am very well versed and I use all these tools in different situations, and I am very confident in my sets and my catches, because I take time to do my homework with individual critters and equipment useage. Lots of people make claims they can catch every beaver in a specific set, but I dare say no, but given the opportunity to match wits with the critter I can catch him.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 20, 2006 7:56:27 GMT -6
I'm guilty of using #4 on beaver. THey work, but like 1.75s on coyotes, you get misses. But I fully agree that if you are serious about beaver, bigger is better.
I've got few beaver and a long time to catch them. This year got 11, 1 in a 330. No misses on any of those. But I did have one, where I took a toenail ...twice. Hes either moved on or staying low. If I get him, I do and if not I really don't care. With so few beaver, it really doesn't matter to me if I spook one or two. If I'm leaving some, might as well make him tough to catch LOL
Given time, these shy beaver are best caught in pure blind sets.
Now ADC, thats more serious. And then its simply a job of doing EVERYTHING by the book so to speak. No haphazard sets, no maybes, cross the "T"s and dot the "I"s.
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Post by thefoxtrapper on Jan 20, 2006 16:50:29 GMT -6
t-man, weld nail spikes under the jaws of them #4s, will make a world of difference, probably dont need them on #5s, but wouldnt hurt, I like the #14 vic jumps a lot, they are real beaver medicine, w
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Post by trappnman on Jan 20, 2006 19:57:55 GMT -6
illegal here Winston.
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Post by thefoxtrapper on Jan 20, 2006 21:07:02 GMT -6
that is surprising, i figured all the northern states would allow it, ive had good luck thus far this season with duke #5 double longs, no teeth added, w
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Post by ScottW on Jan 21, 2006 9:42:02 GMT -6
Steve, unless you have some special county regulation or what not, that is NOT illegal here. Happy trapping. ScottW
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Post by ColdSteel on Jan 21, 2006 11:52:48 GMT -6
I am not much of a leghold man for beaver but I just got 6 MB 750's and they look like a well built trap.The best thing I like about these traps is they are big and I can set them without having to have a setting tool or clamps all I need is something else to carry in the woods
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Post by musher on Jan 22, 2006 6:56:43 GMT -6
I had given up on footholds for beaver unless I was really stuck. The #4 victor dls gave me too many misses for my liking.
I solved the problem. I bought some CDR's. Excellent trap. The wide, stout jaws make a back foot catch a cinch.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 22, 2006 7:18:28 GMT -6
Scott- you are right. I do NOT see it in the regulations but I know it was there at one time. The law stated something like "no traps with teeth can be used"
How very odd that was rescinded. Wonder what the reasoning was for it.
Yet its not legal to go 48 hours to check snares or coyote traps.
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Post by Jeffrey on Jan 22, 2006 16:36:31 GMT -6
First of all in open water a castor mound set works great, but you must set up for a back foot catch, so move your traps back and put them in deeper water. Second foot holds under the ice work great and are simple to use. The best method I've used is use a straight dry pole, tack two pieces of poplar about 1.5 inches thick and 8 inches long on the pole a foot below the ice. Then build a shelf that will put the trap 3 inches below the bait and slanting slightly down, but not to much. Lightly wire the trap to the shelf and always tack the chain down on the pole. Make sure you have a good cross piece on the up-right above the ice and place where the beaver are traveling. This set will most of the time catch the square shy beaver. As far as traps go you should try to use a jaw spread of 6 inches or better. I catch 95% of my beaver under the ice and my partner and I have 60 so far this season, part time, so we are doing something right. The last piece of advice I have is always wire trap and pole to the shore or something solid.
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Post by primetime on Jan 23, 2006 9:22:48 GMT -6
Well I got him...
In a 330.
I was tempted to keep after him with Footholds, but just needed to get some fur, so I put in a 330. The set was a no brainer - Tight funnel area only big enough for a 330 and the only OPEN water between the house and were he was feeding. Got him the first night.
It was a BIG Beaver - Topped out a 55 lb scale I've got, so I'm guessing he goes 60+ lbs. I couldn't see any visible marks on him of were my foothold could have got him, but I'm guessing maybe the tail.
I'll keep experimenting with the Footholds - Thanks all for your help!
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Post by thefoxtrapper on Jan 23, 2006 9:57:14 GMT -6
there is probably more than just one, w
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Post by primetime on Jan 23, 2006 10:04:50 GMT -6
I'm going to keep my eyes open for any new sign. This was an area that I know got trapped heavy earlier in the year. But since it's the only area that has any open water, I think an old male just moved in and took up residency.
I could be wrong, and time will tell if any more beaver are in the area.
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Post by BK on Jan 23, 2006 12:30:53 GMT -6
If your 60 lb beaver was a male I'd like to see the female as the largest part of the time the female is the largest of pair. I think we need a thread about 330's in open water, they often get a bad rap because they're misunderstood.
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Post by thefoxtrapper on Jan 23, 2006 13:10:34 GMT -6
330s in open water are my bread and butter, without the 330, i would be nothing, i wouldnt want to leave the house, I dont know who can honestly give them a bad wrap as the damn things keep me sore from re cocking and skinning, most people that dislike something do not know what they are doing, w
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Post by BK on Jan 23, 2006 13:45:10 GMT -6
That is the truth Winston,...........I wade,walk, and paddle past 330 sets every spring I try not to look at too close as I don't care to learn any of what the trapper might have been thinking. It's kinda funny too as many of these same guys go on about hoop, and square shy beaver.
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Post by primetime on Jan 23, 2006 14:01:24 GMT -6
Ok, I used the word Him and He, but I can not be sure it's a Male.
How do you tell on Beaver, or is that a stupid question?
I'll try and get a pick of "It" tonight, if I remember the camera.
It very well could be a female that made it through the fall trappers in the area.
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