August 1st, 2019
4minute read
An art that is slowly fading with time is the ability to trap.
When waterways begin to bloat and threaten your homestead, could you curb rising tides and trap some beavers?
These are the simple steps you could take to reclaim your home and win the battle against the beaver.
Beavers create dams as a means to flood areas for their benefit.
If a cattail castle is nearby, you might be combating an army.
Thus, it is not easily accessed or trapped.
The best areas to trap are nearby runways, and around the dam itself.
It is very important to use dead, but sturdy tree branches.
If you use green branches area beavers may eat or drag them away ruining your trap set.
Runway Trap Set
The easiest opportunity to spot and set a trap is a fresh runway.
A runway can be thought of as a highway for beavers to dry land.
This trap set can be feast-or-famine depending on whether it is active or not.
Dam Crossing Trap Set
Another common set is where beavers cross over their dam.
Even though it might sound counterintuitive, beavers are very neat and orderly.
This crossing area will be flattened out while the rest of the dam looks like a disorganized jigsaw puzzle.
Similar to the runway set, pound in two wood stakes with a cross pole.
Shade in your trap set with light mud and vegetation.
Be cautious as to not use too much cover material.
If beavers think they are being forced, they will start a new crossing.
If it looks natural, they will dive under your cross pole and you will be catching beavers.
While mending or building up the dam, beavers will swim parallel to their dam.
The same principles from the previous sets still apply.
Use a dead, sturdy branch for your vertical stake and cross pole.
Anchor your #330 conibear with ample tie down wire.
Cover up any visible metal with nearby foliage.
When you set these traps be sure you are checking them daily.
You do not want one days successful catch to obstruct a future beaver from being caught.
You never want them underwater; otherwise, the beaver does not know he/she is supposed to dive under.
You also do not want your trap exposed where they could see it.
Give these set ideas a try and happy trapping!
