So it looks like it's time to give a go at trapping some beaver. Got a friend with a pond and she is getting some damage, asked me if i could trap the beav. i told her i would try but she had to buy me some traps.
I was looking at some sleepy creek longsprings. dont know whether the 4 or 4.5 would be better. there is a budget so i'm thinking about the 4s. I'm also wanting to use these on coyote next year so that would mean ofset jaws.
any opinions appreciated. Thanks

If you are looking at foot traps intead of conibear type, I would go with MB750 and get less of them as the price is more. They are not what you want for coyote though, there is no one trap that is best for all species.

For beaver it's hard to beat a castor mound with a 330 in front of it.

I've caught a lot of beaver in snares and in #3 Bridger regular jaw traps, and also use both for coyote. the #3 bridger has a very similar jaw spread as any #4 long I've ever owned, and also similar to #4 duke square jaw in size.
the #3 is also usually around $15 or less if you can find some on sale.
I set mine up to have both a double stake swivel and one crunch-proof also on end of chain. the crunch-proof serves multi-functions as possibly a single stake device attachment, I can add a short cable extension to this with a simple j-hook, same with adding a disposable stake with a j-hook, or I can use that hole in end of it to run through a drowner cable and use the swivel as a drowning lock device. Mine also have the butterfly double stake swivels on end of chain too. I use my #3s throughout the entire season this way, mid-winter for coyotes and cats, and then either very early open water or early spring open water the trap is moved to water line to do beaver work guarding castor mounds, slides, cross-overs, trails up banks to corn fields, etc.
I know they may not be the "ideal" beaver trap but I typically am not trapping coyotes and beaver at same time so I looked to a trap that I could use for both species. I'm very happy with this system.
Jim

so 330s and snares might go in the mix too. still kinda want to pick up a couple foot holds to try. a little scared of the 750s as i got my finger in a 650 last year trying to set it. turned my index tip into mush. ouch

Get a pair of one hand setters. You will find them useful setting traps standing in water.

According to your location, we are not very far apart and fall under the same regulations.

I would not go offset jaw with a trap that the target is beaver and an MB750 with a closed jaw has to be set in water. Not legal for land sets. It is an excellent beaver trap though. I set 750s on drowners for front or back foot catches. Beaver get pretty big but their front feet are pretty weak and it is hard to hold them by the front foot. And you do not want to snap one and lose it. An educated beaver can be a nightmare to catch.

And like any other trap, the 750 has to be treated with respect. The same goes for 330s. Having the right tools to handle the traps safely and a general knowledge of their proper use will make for a much better experience. Snares are another option but that is another learning cure also.

Shoot me a PM with your contact info. I am more than willing to help you get into beaver trapping.

You should buy Beaver traps for Beaver, Yote traps for Yotes. Mb750s are my first choice, with setters. Pay attention to Where your fingers are...any trap can bite you back. Some 330s I use all Belisles for Several reasons. You are on a budget so all this advice might be for waste. I'd much rather have less gear but the Best, than more traps I don't like.

Several others have given good Advice besides me... usually means something...Good Luck.

MB 750....buy once,,,,cry once !

Looks like 750s , setters and keep my fingers out of the way

Mr Dobbins taught me that is not a good choice.
You'll thank me (him) when you only have one by 1 or 2 toes and then the light bulb goes on "WOW, I'd have missed THAT beaver with an offset jaw."
I earned my living catching beavers for 5 years and never regretted taking his advice.
I ran CDR's and Bridger #5 4 coils back in those days.

Here's a CDR 7.5 CLOSED JAWS holding onto 2 toes.

Harold is a beaver catching machine and you'd be wise to take him up on this offer.

He is a great land trapper too!

Looking forward to meeting you at convention in September !!!!!!!!!!!

hope i figured out how to properly send a pm. new to computer stuff too

brisket have you ever done any beaver trapping before? If not I would suggest getting your shotgun and setting up some night and take out that beaver or beavers.

HOA might have a problem with that

Snares are IMO the easiest way to catch beaver, and they don't get wise to them like 330 and footholds snapped in their face. If you're wanting to remove the beavers I'd seriously use snares to do it. I'm NOT the greatest beaver trapper but my 12 year old can snare the crap out of them so I'm sure you could as well.

I get that they want to buy you traps, but just buy your coyote traps and a couple dozen snares.