I have an opportunity to trap beaver this season. Never been many beaver around my area so I'm new to trapping them. There are two dams in the steam about 100 yards apart.
I'd like to try breaking the dam and setting. Question, which dam do I break for this set? Can I break both at the same time and set both?

Check your states regulations first. Breaking a dam is not legal in all states.
Tom

I would not start off by breaking dams. Look for crossovers on dams and places where the beaver have channels coming out of the water for food.

^^^^^^^^^^^ as above ^^^^^^66

A beaver dam is an excellent place to make sets.It is a focal point for all the beaver in the colony second only to the main den entrance.
If the dam has a natural crossover,a 330 at the lower end of the trail is deadly,no need to breach the dam.After freeze up,a trap or several, at the top end submerged will keep working under the ice,after making a small breach,if there is a continuous flow.Beaver wont repair a dam after the ice is on.

Boco when you say a trap at the top end of the dam submerged under the ice, do mean a 330 placed 90 degrees to the dam, so they enter as they swim parallel to the dam? Or do you mean a 330 placed parallel to the dam, so they enter it when they come out of the water to cross over the dam?

You can make the set with one trap,out in front of the break parallel to the dam to take one animal,or you can make the set with multiple traps to take several animals.

Fatdawg-I just checked PA. regulations.You cannot disturb a beaver house or dam.Traps cannot be set within 15 feet of either the dam or house.There are also restrictions on the number of traps you set ,and what traps or snares can be used.
So that eliminates most of the sets mentioned in this post.
Before setting traps for anything,you better check on your regulations.
Tom

step one-read state regs.then feel free to ask questions and i'll give ya my best answer.beaver fines are expensive in pa to boot.

Good advice - it's a no-no in Illinois!

can't even set a trap within 15 ft of a house or dam.

I appreciate everyone's concern, but I never stated that I was trapping beaver in PA.

if that's the law, NO problem
click on Castor Mound and Drowning Set ups https://trapperman.com/trapperman/basic_sets.htm
if you find no slides, MAKE YOUR OWN, they don't like when newbies move into the hood.
also hang snares on their trails

you need to tell us what gear you have to use

..and, ever been in the Archives?... https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/10/1/water-trapping-archive

You never told us much,except there were',nt may beaver in your area. Where are you planning on trapping beaver.??
Tom

on second thought i know nothing about beaver trapping.

I saw a beaver swimming once. Do they eat palm trees?

Fatdawg,please let us know where you plan to trap beaver.We have been waiting a long time for a reply to this question.
Tom

help us help you man. No one is gonna steal your spot if you just give us a state lol

On second thought, heck with it...use the blue bucket set...