Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: kctrapper]
#1431803
07/27/09 09:19 PM
07/27/09 09:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879 Central MN, sort of old
MnMan
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Central MN, sort of old
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I watched one from a distance of about 40 feet this spring swimming downstream until it got directly opposite the castor mound I had made across the stream from it. When it either spotted the mud or it hit the scent it made an immediate right-angle turn and headed at the mound at a good rate of speed. It did not hesitate to try to crawl up on it and when it did a TS85 snapped on it's hind foot and the toes of the other hind foot got stuck between the lever and the jaws. I have seen others do this also and some will circle first before committing.
I'm just happy to be here! Today I'm as young as I'll ever be and and older than I've ever been before!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: ]
#1431839
07/27/09 09:39 PM
07/27/09 09:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
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Many times I have had to take off my safety gripper and step out of the way, and allow the beaver to enter my 330.I call these my instant beaver. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: coonman220]
#1432016
07/27/09 10:52 PM
07/27/09 10:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
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They do get agressive when responding to castor based lures.Have had several come up behind me when making a set,but have never been bitten.Did have one try to take me out in a dry road ditch,but that was more of a case that I was in his way. He got the big swat when he reached my feet. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1432207
07/28/09 01:35 AM
07/28/09 01:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,827 Alaska, USA
Top Jimmy
"Assistant Speling Zcar"
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"Assistant Speling Zcar"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,827
Alaska, USA
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Watched two this spring. First swam back and fourth checking out the mound and sniffing the air for about 20 minutes, then dove and came up looking like a penquine walking up the bank with its front arms full of leaves from the bottom and dropped them next to my caster mound. Missed my set three times doing this and then went over and tore up my mound and made his own. Looked like a bulldozer had tore up my mound when he got done. Moved the trap and got him that night.
Got to watch another two nights later that just circled and circled it and slapped his tail on the water. Wouldn't come close to it when I was there and eventuall went across the river (about 50' or so) and made his own castor mound. After he left I set his and had one in my trap and one in his the next day.
Very cool both times to watch them work the set. Wind really plays a big deal in how they work the set as they were both nose way up in the air out of the water sniffing the air and was always trying to come down wind from it and would circle to pin point the source of the smell. Learned a lot from watching both of them.
-TJ
Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Top Jimmy]
#1432372
07/28/09 08:22 AM
07/28/09 08:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879 Central MN, sort of old
MnMan
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Central MN, sort of old
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Kctrapper, I am wondering if all the tail slapping you observed was not partly a response to the beaver detecting your presence or maybe they did not like the foreign 330 in their environment. Had these beaver been spooked or harassed before? Maybe they had been pinched or had a 330 go off on them before when that scent was used and they were sounding off as a result of it. I am able to observe them approach one of my sets with castor from my window so I know my presence is not a factor and I have never seen the tail-slapping occur when they approach and I have seen them approach this set probably 50 times or more. They do not always commit but their nose always goes up in the air. Some will go straight into the 330 without hesitation and some will circle before committing and then some (shy) beaver will circle, climb up on the log, really look things over then move on. I have had them come as close as 5 feet behind me when I am remaking a set and then they will slap their tail right behind me and scare the crap out of me. My observations have been that they only slap their tail when they know I am there. However, there is no way for me to know if they ever do it when I am not. My observations have occurred during the spring and only a few in the fall so I don't know if summer behavior is different.
I'm just happy to be here! Today I'm as young as I'll ever be and and older than I've ever been before!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: MnMan]
#1432410
07/28/09 08:55 AM
07/28/09 08:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,137 se. mn... age..64
Jim Blakley
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,137
se. mn... age..64
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Do you think the different reactions are a male / female thing ?
.....Ive been at this Game for over 50 years and have no plans to stop................
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Jim Blakley]
#1432631
07/28/09 12:06 PM
07/28/09 12:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
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No Jim,its a beaver thing--not sex orientated. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1432663
07/28/09 12:43 PM
07/28/09 12:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 702 Heart of Minnesota
conibear1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 702
Heart of Minnesota
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I've had the same experiences. Aggressive is the word to describe it. Speeding up as it hits the shore happened each of the times I watched the behavior. It is safe to say that making sure the trap is stable is a necessity no matter what type you are using!!
If you are thinking negative, instead of positive....Change the Channel! You'll end up with more energy and more fur in the back of the truck!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: conibear1]
#1433504
07/28/09 10:48 PM
07/28/09 10:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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minnesota
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I've seen a few beaver work my sets. Some charge, but others circle and circle. I've learned to block off the sides of my mounds well. Often times they seem to want to go directly into the wind when approaching the mound, and will often approach from the sides or back when the wind is wrong. I used to think some were being trap-shy when I noticed some where going through my blocking and that I was catching some leaving the mound, but if they were all trap-shy they wouldn't have swam into the trap on the way out. If you look closely you might be surprised how many beaver you actually catch leaving the mound instead of catching them on approach, especially in 1/2 submerged conibears. I've come to the conclusion that some want to go into the wind on approach, no matter what. I think for safety reasons and that they are somewhat afraid of what might happen if the "other" beaver is still there. Any body else have any ideas on that? I've also witnessed beaver try to climb over 330's in shallow water. It's important to dig out in front of 330's in shallow water (6" or less), so the beaver is swimming when it hits your trap and is much less likely to try to climb over the trap. I just use my boot in softer bottoms. The most interesting one I witnessed was a beaver that approached a mound I had guarded by a 330. The beaver made a bee-line for the mound when it smelled the lure, but when it got a couple feet from the edge of the water it literally splashed a wall of water up on to the mound, springing the trap when it did. That solved the problem I was having with the occasional trap that was sprung, empty, and not moved. I was having the problem with only two lures. There was something about those two lures that was causing a splashing reaction by some beaver. Those two lures don't smell similar either. Since I quit using those lures I haven't had anymore trouble.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1433551
07/28/09 11:23 PM
07/28/09 11:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
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By putting 2 sticks in an X over the jaws of my 330s,I do not have a problem with beavers trying to go over the top. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1433598
07/28/09 11:52 PM
07/28/09 11:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
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Never had much problems with a half submerged 330 in front of my mounds.I do block the sides well,but other than the cross sticks,the front of my trap is left as is.My triggers are bent in a rounded m and are totally under water when the trap is half submerged,this offers the beaver an open window right to the mound.I also may have another set 3 or 4 feet away.I just altrnate between my 2 lures and give them a chance to pick and choose. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1433602
07/28/09 11:53 PM
07/28/09 11:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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minnesota
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Daniel, like you I always try to find deeper water if possible to set up half-submerged 330's. Sometimes it just isn't possible though. Also like you, I usually try to camo the trap as much as possible. Long grass and brush tops work good. Although I know it isn't always necessary to camouflage them, there's just something that bugs me too about an obvious 330. K. I usually only use straight castor these days when I know I have a shy beaver.
Last edited by goldy; 07/29/09 12:42 AM.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1433615
07/29/09 12:04 AM
07/29/09 12:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
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Daniel,while my half submerged 330 may be in shallow water,many are in 2,3 or even 4 feet of water. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1433621
07/29/09 12:11 AM
07/29/09 12:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
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minnesota
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Daniel,while my half submerged 330 may be in shallow water,many are in 2,3 or even 4 feet of water. Tom Mine too Tom. I never let deep water keep me from making a set in a good location, even with 330's. I usually try to put in footholds when the water is deep enough to drown, but someplaces you just can't get one in. Those deep channels, instead of putting in a dive stick and blocking it off above and below, I just set one half-submerged. Seems to work just as well as blocking the whole thing off. As long as they can see through it, they will go through it without diving. They don't know the bottom jaws of the trap are there anyway, so why should they dive? It's a whole lot easier and quicker to do it that way too. I've come to especially like the MB1216's in the wide channels.
Last edited by goldy; 08/01/09 05:53 PM.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1433629
07/29/09 12:16 AM
07/29/09 12:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
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Thats what I love about making castor mounds and using 330's--water depth is seldom an issue--as it can be with footholds.I also like dictating to the beavers,as to where I will catch them. Better to be a dictator,than being dictated to. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1433639
07/29/09 12:23 AM
07/29/09 12:23 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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minnesota
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Lot's of times I've caught them in the spring in flooded grass and cattails with nothing more than a gob of lure on a cattail or grass tuft, with a half-submerged 330 a couple feet front of it. In some of the lakes and rivers I trap that's all you can do to get a set in.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1433782
07/29/09 07:25 AM
07/29/09 07:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 702 Heart of Minnesota
conibear1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 702
Heart of Minnesota
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Miller, Unless you tried it already...footholds and bait! I go through this with trapping for the townships here all the time. I never know who was trying before me so the beaver may laugh at a 330 set no matter what type or how deep you set it up. Blind sets with footholds will work too. Sometimes it is hard to find a good location with enough water for the drowning wire though. Good Luck!
Last edited by conibear1; 07/29/09 07:26 AM.
If you are thinking negative, instead of positive....Change the Channel! You'll end up with more energy and more fur in the back of the truck!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Beartrapperbeef]
#1433974
07/29/09 11:07 AM
07/29/09 11:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
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If I run into beaver that know what a 330 is, I keep my castor mounds (with 330's) lured,and hide totally submerged 330s in access points to my castor mounds.Even though the beaver may know what those 330s are at my castor mounds--they cannot resist checking them out on a regular basis.That is where your hidden sets shine. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1438182
08/01/09 05:25 PM
08/01/09 05:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066 Eastern NC
DanielE
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
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Daniel,while my half submerged 330 may be in shallow water,many are in 2,3 or even 4 feet of water. Tom Mine too Tom. I never let deep water keep me from making a in a good location, even with 330's. I usually try to put in footholds when the water is deep enough to drown, but someplaces you just can't get one in. Those deep channels, instead of putting in a dive stick and blocking it off above and below, I just set one half-submerged. Seems to work just as well. I've come to especially like the MB1216's in the wide channels. Tom, I'm talking specifically about a shallow approach, with the 330 on bottom, and half sticking above water. That set has proven to be a marginal producer on my line. It's also more work to camoflage, and more likely to leave the beaver sitting where it can be accessed by other critters. I much prefer a deeper approach. Also, even when setting a deeper approach or channel...what do I need 5" of 330 above the water line for? Beavers don't swim with half their body in and 1/2 out of the water. When I see a beaver swimming, he's got maybe the top 2" of his head out of the water. So, I prefer 2/3 - 3/4 submerged opposed to 1/2 submerged. I agree that you can't always find a perfect approach to set a mound with a 330...and while I'll continue to set shallower than I like on occasion, I do try to find a deeper approach whenever possible.
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: DanielE]
#1438199
08/01/09 05:37 PM
08/01/09 05:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2007
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When I say 1/2 submerged Daniel I actually mean 2/3-3/4 underwater, just like you. The regs say our 330's here have to be at least 1/2 submerged at all times. In the spring, after the snow melt, our water is often falling too, so we have to plan for that.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1438242
08/01/09 06:33 PM
08/01/09 06:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
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Lakeland,Minnesota
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Agreed--half submerged is a generic term(legality).We must have a lot dumber beaver,they seem to give up themselves quite easily--half submerged or 3/4. Or maybe its just the lures.LOL Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1438288
08/01/09 07:28 PM
08/01/09 07:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302
minnesota
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Tom does make a good lure. Both #1 and #2.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: ]
#1438312
08/01/09 08:13 PM
08/01/09 08:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,052 Greensburg, KS 3 blocks from t...
k. miller
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,052
Greensburg, KS 3 blocks from t...
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do you guys worry about them crawling over it w/only an inch sticking out of the water or do you always use a dive stick across the top
take me to where the blacktop ends.. then go further with me
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1438321
08/01/09 08:22 PM
08/01/09 08:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879 Central MN, sort of old
MnMan
trapper
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879
Central MN, sort of old
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Like Tom I will always cross sticks above a partly submerged trap to prevent that and in a case where only an inch were to be exposed I would dig it down a bit so the jaws are a bit below the surface and use a big dive stick (2 1/2 inches or thicker if possible) and if you can't get it deeper, cross the sticks over the top so the beaver can't go over it.
I'm just happy to be here! Today I'm as young as I'll ever be and and older than I've ever been before!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1438326
08/01/09 08:29 PM
08/01/09 08:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066 Eastern NC
DanielE
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Eastern NC
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do you guys worry about them crawling over it w/only an inch sticking out of the water or do you always use a dive stick across the top
I use whatever is on hand at the set. Sometimes a stick, crossed sticks, rotten log....whatever is handy!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: DanielE]
#1438366
08/01/09 09:04 PM
08/01/09 09:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
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Cross sticks have done away with trying to --go over the top.They also work on totally submerged sets,though at times,I too will lay a pole over the top.All depends on what is laying around.Thats one thing all ofus that use this set on a regular basis seem to do--use what available. Adapting to the situation thats at hand--the mark of a smart(lazy LOL) beaver man. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1438418
08/01/09 10:01 PM
08/01/09 10:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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Since I started digging, so there is at least 12" of water right in front of the trap, I haven't had any problems with them trying to go over. I think 12"+ of water also helps with fewer refusals. I think it's because they would much rather swim through the 330 than try to walk through it. Like Steven49er, I always use a small stick of popple. It's been proven to me time and time again bait can make a big difference. I also like my mounds 3-4 feet back from the trap. I seldom submerge 330's at castor mounds, even in deep water. With the jaws 3 or 4 inches above water they will swim through at water level everytime.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1438445
08/01/09 10:42 PM
08/01/09 10:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
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Lakeland,Minnesota
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Years ago I hauled bait around,haven't for a long time.I rely on my lures to do the job.Every blue moon I may pull a freshly cut small tree,and throw it behind my 330. This is only done when I may have a reluctant beaver. Bottom line--whatever a guy feels comfortable with--is the way to go.Results are all that counts. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1438466
08/01/09 11:08 PM
08/01/09 11:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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For bait I just go to a recent clear cut and cut some 12" long, 1"-2" popple saplings. The greener colored and smoother the better. With a swede saw I can cut enough for a whole day in a couple minutes. Get's to be a habit everytime I stop to grab a bait stick.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: mitchell]
#1438856
08/02/09 11:55 AM
08/02/09 11:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
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Out of habit,I refresh lure after every catch.If I do have one that goes a few days with out a catch--I will also refresh . If I want a little more eye appeal--I will use fresh peeled beaver chews for my lure holder, and throw one on top of my mound. Steve,plenty of rat sign around this spring,but I never did take an incidental rat.usually end up getting 1 or 2 along the way. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: ]
#1438881
08/02/09 12:18 PM
08/02/09 12:18 PM
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Kre
Unregistered
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Kre
Unregistered
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The one thing I really dont like about mounds and fresh mud is they attract too many muskrats. This is why I always try to use an MB-750 set deep at castor mounds. Too many rats in 330's. And, it seems like coon become a problem if I set an MB-750 shallow for a front foot. Sometimes you have no choice and the 330 or a shallow MB is the best way to go.
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: ]
#1439045
08/02/09 02:11 PM
08/02/09 02:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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minnesota
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It's interesting how different trappers have different perspectives on things. Like Boggy said, you have to keep doing what you have confidence in and what works for you. This has been interesting. I don't have many problems with 'rats. The only time I do is when the water drops more than what I'm anticipating. I set the trigger wires about 1"-2" below water level, or I should say I try to have the trigger wires at 1"-2". At that level it seems the 'rats just swim right over the wires. At water level they seem to bump into them and spring the trap more. Any deeper than 1"-2" the beaver sometimes get into the trap too far and you can get fur damage. On my footholds, my pan tension is set so I catch very few 'rats. The only time I do is when the 'rat jumps off the mound right into the trap. That happens about once a year though. It is interesting Steven about your comment about the mud and 'rats. I tend think the opposite. Almost everytime the (popple) bait stick is still there it is chewed by 'rats. I always have the bait stick pushed into the ground so the 'rats can't try to carry it away. I personally wouldn't want to be without mud as a visual attractant. One of these years I'm going to make some mound sets without lure and just the mud to see what would happen. I'd bet the sets would catch beaver. As far as reluring. I relure every couple days. Often though the mound get's trampled by other beaver after a catch though, and then I have to relure everyday.
Last edited by goldy; 08/03/09 12:12 AM.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: ]
#1439246
08/02/09 06:06 PM
08/02/09 06:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302
minnesota
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This is why I always try to use an MB-750 set deep at castor mounds.
I've quit setting deep, for the hind foot only, because I was missing the occasional beaver. With those spring travelers sometimes you only have one chance at them and they are gone. I was having the occasional beaver eat the bait and be gone without stepping in the trap. It didn't happen much, but enough that I now always set shallow. With footholds set deep, if you miss the back foot on approach, it's unlikely you will get them leaving because of the way the leave the mound. With footholds set shallow, you have the chance of catching either the front or back foot on approach or leaving. But where I trap, coon aren't a problem. I might catch one or two a year at the most. If you are catching a lot of coon, I could see where you would want to set so you catch as few as possible.
Last edited by goldy; 08/02/09 06:07 PM.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1440802
08/03/09 07:13 PM
08/03/09 07:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302
minnesota
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Anybody else have any thoughts? This has been a good thread.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1440833
08/03/09 07:34 PM
08/03/09 07:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264
Lakeland,Minnesota
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I have all kinds of thoughts,just figured everyone was tired of hearing them.LOL Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1441303
08/03/09 10:59 PM
08/03/09 10:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 615 West Michigan
Mister ED
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 615
West Michigan
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No thoughts, just reading and trying to soak it in. So don't stop now!! This has been one of the better post in a while!!
Steven49er - what type of lure are you using on that popple stick? Castor based or food type lure?
I've always had way more faith in my #5's than a body gripper. But after reading your guys posts, maybe I'll have to revisit my 330's. I see some things I can do different.
Last edited by Mister ED; 08/03/09 11:00 PM.
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: k. miller]
#1441394
08/03/09 11:53 PM
08/03/09 11:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264
Lakeland,Minnesota
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I do have a question.How many of you,have your castor mounds covered up by beaver? I hear about it ,but it has only happened to me a couple times. And I have made thousands of the buggers. I do love playing in the mud. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1441410
08/04/09 12:07 AM
08/04/09 12:07 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879 Central MN, sort of old
MnMan
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879
Central MN, sort of old
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I cannot think of very many where they actually added stuff to the mound I made before they were caught. However I have seen many times where they made their own additions next to the set when they were 330 shy or for some other reason did not want to commit. I can think of one in particular this spring where I made a very large mound that was guarded with a half-submerged 330 and when I checked it the first morning the 330 was snapped but still in place and the mound was completely destroyed and flattened down to nothing with beaver tracks all over it. I remade the set and it was not touched that night but the beaver had plastered mud all around it on the bank so I put in a TS85 next to the beaver's new mud and had a very large male the next morning.
I'm just happy to be here! Today I'm as young as I'll ever be and and older than I've ever been before!
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: MnMan]
#1441452
08/04/09 01:07 AM
08/04/09 01:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,827 Alaska, USA
Top Jimmy
"Assistant Speling Zcar"
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"Assistant Speling Zcar"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,827
Alaska, USA
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Not covered up, but totally destroyed and built a new one next to my old one. Like I said earlier, it looked like a bulldozer had gone over the area where I made the mound. Even got to watch him do it.
-TJ
Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Top Jimmy]
#1441584
08/04/09 08:48 AM
08/04/09 08:48 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302
minnesota
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This is what beaver can do to a castor mound. Unfortunately I caught two spawning northerns before the beaver got there. Right in the center of the picture I had a PILE of mud on top of a big piece of bog. It was on a lake shore no where near any beaver houses, so I wanted a lot of eye appeal. They completely destroyed the mound and of course, ate the bait. They even did something with all my blocking. An eagle ate the fish. The peeled sticks were my bait from the days before.
Last edited by goldy; 08/05/09 10:29 PM.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1441772
08/04/09 11:43 AM
08/04/09 11:43 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,805 Ohio
Ohio Andy
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,805
Ohio
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If you have a castor mound made and a beaver comes and builds his own right next to yours, how would you treat that?
Set his as well of course, but what else? Fresh mud and castor lure on his too? Relure yours with more castor?
Excellent thread.
Andy
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Ohio Andy]
#1441779
08/04/09 11:48 AM
08/04/09 11:48 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264
Lakeland,Minnesota
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Andy,only a couple times ,has one put one up next to mine.I just thre theirs out in the water.I then remudded and relured mine. I set very few mounds made by a beaver,I turn it around and build one of mine near his and set a 330 in front of it.This really fires them up. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1442097
08/04/09 03:46 PM
08/04/09 03:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302
minnesota
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When they do that I set a foothold, if the water is at all deep enough to drown them, at the new natural mound leaving as little disturbance as possible. I don't put any lure on the beaver-made mound at all. Like Tom, I seldom set natural mounds unless I'm after a trap shy beaver. When I do and I don't get quick action at the real one, I'll build a fake one near it (with a trap just in case) and lure it with castor. Sometimes the strange castor will spark a territorial response and he try will freshen up his own natural one.
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1442213
08/04/09 05:04 PM
08/04/09 05:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264
Lakeland,Minnesota
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I have had some beaver charge in so hard and fast,they were half way through the 330, with their heads resting on top of my mound. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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Re: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: Bogmaster]
#1444056
08/05/09 10:46 PM
08/05/09 10:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,302
minnesota
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I've had that happen too Tom. I just always thought they made a lunge forward after the trapped snapped, but you might be right. They may just be hard chargers. Now that would be something to see on a video!
"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: Beaver reaction to castor mounds
[Re: goldy]
#1444068
08/05/09 10:52 PM
08/05/09 10:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264 Lakeland,Minnesota
Bogmaster
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,264
Lakeland,Minnesota
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Have watched quite a few get caught,several as I was finnishing up the set.Huury up--remove the safety and get out of the way. Tom
If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping. Tom Olson MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
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