The trophy should be in the form of a belt. https://www.trophysmack.com/collections/belts?msclkid=e08999eee1e51e4141ebfce1f4fb920a

SO...when is the last day of the season for Canadian provinces? It will simplify things if we just say the contest runs until May 15th....or May 30th. In Oregon it's March 15th.

ANd Mike Kelly already knows he's gonna have to pray for a good spring beaver run if he even has a chance of out-doing me! LOL

And THANK YOU MnMan once again for your contribution! I'll use that!

This is a great idea! Really looking forward to seeing everyones pile of fur. Thanks for putting this together BP

I'm not coming out of retirement for no trophy. LOL

October 1 to May 31 in Manitoba, not sure about other provinces & the territories.

Ontario-Oct 5 to May 15.

Seven and a half months ?? how can anybody have a chance to beat that long of a season ? even if its hard water for a while.

Ours is only a couple weeks shorter

Kirk, I disagree, I think the best weather is somewhere with the lows around zero and highs in the high 20s, but then again I'm not all that bright

I meant to say 50° or below. It’s in my book and in my DVDs that I made. Sorry for the mistake.

I don’t want to trap out the ponds in my area or drive hundreds of klicks to get a few hundred beaver…lol

If it included the trappers not here I'd wager will be around 700 beaver give or take 50. Uncertain whar it would be with willing members solely from Trapperman. Minnesota has the highest likelihood of winning.
Advantages are population coupled with accesibility, sseason length, and ample buyers. We have 3 main buyers in beaver country that all prefer carcass beaver.

It'd have to regional ,imo, to even be close to fair.

Also there needs to be a cut off date regardless of your season dates..and you gotta do a fall season best trapper and a spring season best because a trapper a spring season will blow a trapper who doesn't have a spring season, outta the water cause when the run is on you can catch beaver where they ain't any.lol.

Boco..I agree with your comment about a.finish trapper.

Jerry is 1000% a finish trapper.

The guys I've talked to that don't put their beaver up round here all say they don't because it's too much work.

When Jerry catches a crapload some days he has to take a day off to skin..

He can clean skin 30 a day comfortably.

There's nothing wrong with not putting up your fur if you don't want to but I don't think the comparison is fair..between a 'finish" trapper and a "hit and run" trapper..

Regardless of the species.

Cathryn, I also have a soft spot for "complete trappers" but in the years that i've caught over 500 beaver I had help back in the fur shed so that I could be out on the water more. The only help I might have anymore is help boarding beaver from my wife and stepson. (They would be new at it this year). I've not had anybody skin for me for over 20 years + now.

I'm thinking that Angela's notion of a hard final date is a good one. Since Minnesotas's season officially ends May 15th (and most of that state's beaver are spring caught) let's make May 15th the final day.

****Also, I'm going to pony up $100 for the winning trapper's state's Trapping Association given in that winning trapper's name. I double dawg-dare anybody to match that # and make the contest a little more interesting.

I've known this guy over 30 years. He's in Pittsburgh.

He makes belts for the WWE and every year makes The-belt for Nathan's Hot Dog Contest on Coney Island.

https://wildcatbelts.com/

If you want to use him, DM me and I'll send you his info.

It looks like the cheapest belt option is about double what I paid for that plaque a few years back. If people want it to be a belt buckle I will be wanting some help on the extra dough involved. Otherwise it just a plaque.

Is there a second winner for cage trap states? Lol I run hard here in eastern wa I might get 20

If I was in my early 20's this would be a contest I would be interested in.

If this is beaverpeeler's contest, he can make whatever rules he wants. Way to many variables to be "fair" to everyone. Just try to have fun with it.

It’s your idea....just splurge for a belt buckle.

You might have to eat Anchovie pasta for a week to squirrel away the coin....