Beaver - Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
#1070438
12/23/08 07:28 PM
12/23/08 07:28 PM
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Posts: 6,683 Newark, Ohio 83 years
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Although I have trapped most everything Ohio has to offer, I have never trapped beaver. I will be using #330s, and #3 legholds .... Question on the #3 legholds????? DO you set the pan at free fall, with level tension, or drop poundage ....
Thanks ... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Actor]
#1070449
12/23/08 07:31 PM
12/23/08 07:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,658 Minnesota
330-Trapper
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You sell the 3's and buy #4's or MB750's ... the 3's will do you wrong... My Opinion, My experience over 23years... that's all!
NRA and NTA Life Member www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#1070457
12/23/08 07:32 PM
12/23/08 07:32 PM
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Too late for that this year it starts in 2 days ... maybe next next year .... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Kirk]
#1070464
12/23/08 07:35 PM
12/23/08 07:35 PM
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I agree with 330 the #3 are going to be too small Well I guess will have to try and catch them by the front foot. I have no other alternative .... I was told several months ago that the #3 would work fine for beaver ... that is why I bought them ... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Actor]
#1070484
12/23/08 07:40 PM
12/23/08 07:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548 Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz
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Also i would trade that ax in for a chainsaw this time of year.Get R Done Gary!
Last edited by muddyriverdogz; 12/23/08 07:43 PM.
You only live once, so get over it!
Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: muddyriverdogz]
#1070490
12/23/08 07:42 PM
12/23/08 07:42 PM
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Also i would trade that ax in for a chainsaw this time of year I would have but the part called for an ax ...... .... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: muddyriverdogz]
#1070493
12/23/08 07:43 PM
12/23/08 07:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797 Wisconsin
The Beav
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Set shallow and target a front foot and you will do just fine.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: wr otis]
#1070507
12/23/08 07:49 PM
12/23/08 07:49 PM
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Biggest we can use here is 6 1/2 garry, tons of beaver been caught in three's and two's use what you got. Ever take a good look at a beavers back foot? it reminds you of an umbrela they are mostly designed for swimming not for holding traps open. Thank you sir .... how about pan tension ... I was guessing about level with no fall without tension of the jaw ... would this be about right ....??? Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Actor]
#1070564
12/23/08 08:11 PM
12/23/08 08:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,849 ohio
Ohio Wolverine
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Front foot catch is not easy to do if you're trapping a river. Water level changes can cause misses and back foot catches. That being said a no.3 will work just fine on a pond or lake. I use them but really like #4 ls for beaver. Haven't tryed the mb750 or any of the 7 1/2 in. traps. From what I see of them I want to get some, and try them.
Good luck.
P,S. level pan is all I ever use, only because I don't know any better way. Old school I guess.
We have met the enemy and the enemy is us!
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Dave Plueger]
#1070616
12/23/08 08:25 PM
12/23/08 08:25 PM
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The prescouted locations for the use of the #3 are pools both above and below the dams ranging from 3 to four feet deep. I have both 8' and 10' drowning cables that I will be using on the legholds and anchoring in the depth of the pools. Was anticipating on setting the trap in about 4" of water for a front foot catch. .... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: ]
#1070633
12/23/08 08:29 PM
12/23/08 08:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,849 ohio
Ohio Wolverine
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You're right BUZZARD ,they do except when the water goes up a foot.
I have caught my share on rivers.
I guess I didn't explain it enough.
Otherwise inlighten me since I don't know how!
We have met the enemy and the enemy is us!
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Ohio Wolverine]
#1070640
12/23/08 08:32 PM
12/23/08 08:32 PM
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Maybe I should clarify as to the locations and conditions I will setting under .... They are small winding streams ... never more than 20 feet wide and most often not that much .... I have 3 such areas to trap with a total of 5 dams ... Garry-
Last edited by Actor; 12/23/08 08:32 PM.
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Scott W. (Iowa)]
#1070664
12/23/08 08:39 PM
12/23/08 08:39 PM
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No sir .... the creeks may have spoty ice, but they fall fast enough to keep them from freezing much .... Garry-
Last edited by Actor; 12/23/08 08:39 PM.
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: cdr]
#1070833
12/23/08 09:40 PM
12/23/08 09:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 845 Kansas
bearclaw
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Since you seem to know it all Buzzard what do you suggest Mr. Garry does?
"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them."
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: ]
#1070936
12/23/08 10:24 PM
12/23/08 10:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
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Buzzy, your leg get nicked by your chainsaw today.. Don't know much about beaver trappin' myself. I consider myself a rookie in that department. I have only caught a few hundred, which is waaaaay less than some on here. Buzzy is supplying some good info here. Drowners with slide wires are a much better system that a long chain. I learned the hard way on that one! Now, calm down Buzzard it's dang near Christmas!
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: trapperkeck]
#1070961
12/23/08 10:31 PM
12/23/08 10:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,447 Kansas,32,6-1,220,B/B NS
CharlesKS
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Guys, Buzzy takes more beaver than 99% of the people on here.
IM NO BEAVER TRAPPER by NO means.
BUT ive have SEE it done with #3 (6-6.5 inch jaw spread) traps and can go do it right now, if i wanted to, getting a BACK FOOT cathc. hard to type it out, easy to show in rela life. no drowing, castor mound set up.
armchair trappers...lol
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: CharlesKS]
#1070963
12/23/08 10:32 PM
12/23/08 10:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,447 Kansas,32,6-1,220,B/B NS
CharlesKS
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And with BACKFOOT i dont mean step over the jaws, i mean step BETWEEN the jaws, you suitcase the backfoot.
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: trapperkeck]
#1070970
12/23/08 10:34 PM
12/23/08 10:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,849 ohio
Ohio Wolverine
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My bad! I thought it was a given to use drowners, being they are #3 footholds, to me it goes with any foot hold. Better?
Just the same MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL, YOU 2 BUZZARD
We have met the enemy and the enemy is us!
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Ohio Wolverine]
#1071002
12/23/08 10:49 PM
12/23/08 10:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 845 Kansas
bearclaw
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No hard feelings buzz. Just curious as you have your own opinions about what others posted why not chime in yourself and suggest what you like. You know a thing or two about them.
Myself, I've never caught a beaver in my life (seriously), so I'm all ears.
"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them."
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: beachcomber13]
#1071051
12/23/08 11:23 PM
12/23/08 11:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,493 Goldsboro, North Carolina
Paul Dobbins
"Trapperman custodian"
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"Trapperman custodian"
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I've caught many a beaver in a #3. My favorites among the #3s are the #3 Northwoods coil and #3 Bridger coil, both four coiled.
I've held many beavers by the hind foot in these traps also. The key to using these smaller jaw spread traps, as well as the larger jawspread traps, is to position them so the beaver's approach brings it over the levers, and not the jaws.
Even setting for a front foot catch, its easy to miss the front foot and that big ole back foot will make contact with the pan.
If the trap is positioned so the beaver's approach brings it over the jaw instead of the lever, its heel or toe can be sitting on a jaw when the trap fires. This will cause the beaver's foot to raise up resulting in a toe catch in the event the heel is on the near jaw, or foot thrown clear if the toes are draped over the far jaw.
When the trap is positioned so the beaver's approach brings it over the levers, it doesn't matter if the beaver's heel is at the near hinge point of the jaws, or toes draped over the far hinge point of the jaws, it will still fire with the foot in the trap.
You can however, have the beaver's left or right toes make contact with either right or left side jaw and still fire the trap. This usually results with a hold at an angle on the hind foot below the ankle somewhere, but still will usually hold the beaver.
Just my 2 cents.
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: southpaw]
#1071099
12/23/08 11:57 PM
12/23/08 11:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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Paul touched on a big problem people have with footholds is setting them too close to the center of approach. Beaver are wide animals and if you set your trap too close to the center of approach the beaver will only have the edge of it's foot in the trap when it fires. With the pan 4 1/2 to 5 inches off center you will get good hold most everytime if you use guide sticks to put the beaver where you want him. I agree with Buzzard on everything he said in this thread too. #3's will hold nearly every beaver if they are set right and you have a good drowning system. I use them all the time where theft is a problem and RARELY have a pullout. Forget the long chain. Drown them as soon as possible.
"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin talking about guns
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Actor]
#1071142
12/24/08 12:28 AM
12/24/08 12:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
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goldy
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The prescouted locations for the use of the #3 are pools both above and below the dams ranging from 3 to four feet deep. I have both 8' and 10' drowning cables that I will be using on the legholds and anchoring in the depth of the pools. Was anticipating on setting the trap in about 4" of water for a front foot catch. .... Garry- Set shallower, in about an inch, with some shallow water in front of your trap as well. This assures the beaver will have it's feet down when it hits your trap. In 4" of water, the beaver can still have it's front feet tucked against it's body.
"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin talking about guns
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: goldy]
#1071278
12/24/08 01:51 AM
12/24/08 01:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 889 Tama country IA
1st RiverRat
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Paul touched on a big problem people have with footholds is setting them too close to the center of approach. Beaver are wide animals and if you set your trap too close to the center of approach the beaver will only have the edge of it's foot in the trap when it fires. With the pan 4 1/2 to 5 inches off center you will get good hold most everytime if you use guide sticks to put the beaver where you want him. My favorite trap is the bridger #3 4 coiled , northwoods and the new duke #4 they are all basically the same trap. I have caught a ton of beaver in bridger #2s ON PURPOSE !! It anit the trap its the user. I set for a front foot but they will hold the back foot just fine. I dont drown em either, for many reasons but to answer your ? set those traps out an set them right you will have beaver to skin at night. This a northwoods 4 coiled. Drowning NOT needed.
Last edited by 1st RiverRat; 12/24/08 01:58 AM.
Adam Utterback
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: nelacres]
#1071410
12/24/08 06:15 AM
12/24/08 06:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 569 Michigan ( Yank Birth, Reb Hea...
Jon S
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I have been catching Beaver with #3 ever since I started trapping. Front and back foot, as long as there is enough water to dround them in your good. Jon
Michigan Born, Raised in Tennessee, At 18 back in Michigan, @ 38 wishing I was back in Tennessee.
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: ]
#1071589
12/24/08 09:33 AM
12/24/08 09:33 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
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I want to thank every one for their information and the repartee ... and I am glad there was no blod spilled ...LOL!
Now we will see if an "Old Fart" like me can put the info to work and catch a couple of beaver ... Thanks again ...
Oh yes, for those that are curious about the photo in my signature ... I was an actor and that was from a stage performance in the early 1990s .... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Actor]
#1072050
12/24/08 01:13 PM
12/24/08 01:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 821 Chicago burbs
racksnfur
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I use #3 Bridgers since I can double duty them as yote traps too. I use about 4lbs pan tension, and short chain them to a drowning slide. Set for front foot,but have caught them by back foot too. Use bump sticks as mentioned to get them to put those feet down. I've also added what I call a crawl over stick on occasion.It's just a short water logged stick about the thickness of a toilet paper tube, just before the trap. I think it's helped in shallower water to get them to step over it, right into the trap. Setting for a front foot in fluctuating water makes more sense to me personally, since a deeper set trap set for a backfoot would really be deep with rising water, but the shallower set would still have a chance. Definitely agree with the trap being set to one side and turned with the dog to the side.That made all the difference in the world to me when I started trapping beaver. As much a pain in the butt as they are to flesh, I still love trapping them, HATE carrying them up slick muddy banks, but love trapping them. Best of luck
Last edited by racksnfur; 12/24/08 01:19 PM. Reason: pic added
i > u
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: racksnfur]
#1072247
12/24/08 02:46 PM
12/24/08 02:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
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1st RiverRat
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In the fall I dont care if I catch coons so I run 2.5-3 lbs of pan tension, in the spring 3.5-4 lbs to avoid non targets.
Adam Utterback
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: mark81560]
#1072281
12/24/08 03:01 PM
12/24/08 03:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 889 Tama country IA
1st RiverRat
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any one that long chains a set for beaver will lose a lot of beaver It is obvious that you have never tried long chains, the mountain men almost wiped out the beaver with long chains running on ave 6 traps a day . Too many guys have a phobia about live trapping beaver it can be done !! Just because you haven't done it don't mean it cant be !! I will leave it at that. .i agree with buzz give me 1 and a half coils with sliders ill catch beaver in 95 percent of snapped traps I agree with you there.
Adam Utterback
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: ]
#1072327
12/24/08 03:25 PM
12/24/08 03:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 889 Tama country IA
1st RiverRat
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Buzzy most of the beaver I take are filling there stomachs with willow not corn. I do use snares, but my favorite foothold is a #3 even though I own alot fo them high $$ traps 660s, 12X10s, & #5s of all types, give me a #3 and long chain.
Adam Utterback
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: coonman220]
#1072349
12/24/08 03:35 PM
12/24/08 03:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 889 Tama country IA
1st RiverRat
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if your after beaver with beaver lure and sets,that is mostly what you well get I am guessing that you havent used castor in the spring much, rats and coon are all over that stuff I have even taken yotes in late march with castor. And yes 4 lbs of tension will stop MOST coon and I have yet to get a rat in one. I used to get a dz or so in a month before using any tension.
Adam Utterback
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Re: Seasoned Beaver Trappers ...... ????
[Re: Paul Dobbins]
#1072640
12/24/08 05:48 PM
12/24/08 05:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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A dead beaver at the end of a drowner can't escape! A live beaver at the end of a chain still has more than a fighting chance.
"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin talking about guns
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