2nd Annual Beaver Tail Contest! - Winners Posted

It is time for the 2nd Annual Trapperman beavertail challenge!

I played secretary last year and traded some messages w/ Hutchy this year. He's busier than snot so we're going to keep this gem he started going.

The rules are easy. Post a picture of the biggest beavertail on a beaver you have caught THIS YEAR, and if you have the WIDEST beaver tail by the LAST DAY IN FEBRUARY, you win.

A simple picture of the tail, with a tape measure across it, along with a picture of you and the beaver will do. Please make sure the measurement picture is clear, and accurate. Tail only submissions won’t count. I'll post updated standings from the thread submissions periodically so we won't have to hunt through. Multiple entries allowed.

Prizes - 1 anonymous donor is putting up 2 $50 gift cards, Trapset is donating an RTS setter and I'll purchase the Dobbins products

• 1st Place - $50 F&T Gift card (fntpost.com) & your selection of any two 4oz bottles of Dobbins products
• Random Drawing #1 - $50 F&T Gift card (fntpost.com) & your selection of any two 4oz bottles of Dobbins products.
• Random Drawing #2 - RTS Setter (rtssetter.com)

No matter the size – send it in! Had some possum sneakers last year so only beaver tail submissions will count

Happy trapping and good luck!

good deal

Awesome! So glad this is back, I had so much fun following this contest last year.

Well I'm gonna kick this contest off with the first pic. Guess this big fella heard about the contest and wanted to enter ha ha. Because I got him today thanks everyone.






I wear a size 10 1/2 wide boot and he weighed 57 pounds.

Well that was quick, Zach's first entry in @ 6-3/8". Nice work Zach!

Dang! Skunt one yesterday with a tail that would have been competitive. Actually thought when I got her out of the snare, she would have done well in last years contest. Have more to catch though so maybe I'll get a competitor.

Well guess i will teach my son to catch beaver this year as he is 13

Dangit, I caught 2 big beaver this week, but the tails are already cut off. Guess I need to find some more, lol.

What won last year?

Could you get this sticky note or whatever it is called like last year for the ones that want to look everyday??

Last year Saskbone won w/ a whopping 8.25". Timber Hole won the random drawing so big or small, send em in!

LAST YEARS RESULTS:

Prize for the smallest? lol

Couldn’t have said that any better. Lol

Dern I’ve already skinned 1, maybe next time I’ll get in.

The biggest tail I saved from this fall is 6 1/8" in width, but 13 3/4" long. My beavers must just have skinny tails!

Can we enter twice I've found sight in another spot of a biggun

you can enter twice Zach. Updated prizes - thank you Trapset!

I'm on the board! 6 7/16" Wide

Placed 8 sets Saturday but only one connected. We iced up here a couple of weeks back but all water is open now. The beaver don't seem to be patrolling their dams but instead sticking close to the house making it difficult for me. We'll see how this week goes. Probably have to pull the sets before the end of the week due to ice.

First beaver together with my son Richard, he was so excited he was dancing around it! Tails in my area are pathetically narrow lol.

Here is my biggest tail for the year. 5 1/2" - not a monster but a good sized beaver. My 9 year old son John pulled it out of a Comstock.

Going for smallest

Going for smallest

I didn't think there was a limit on how many times you could enter, last year. A fella never knows what his next Beaver tail might look like.

Hi Don - Multiple entries allowed

One more last night. Dark night in the timber so this was the best pic I could get. I didn't get a measurement but it is smaller than the first. I'm guessing this one was about 5", give or take.

Good idea

Glad to do it! Great idea, thanks for keeping it going.

A Southern Contender

Timber hole - I need a tape measure picture to count the 2nd one, sorry.
J Staton - I saved the pic, reversed it and blew it up, are we looking at 6-3/4 or 6-13/16?

Nice catches to all so far!

Current standings:

A bit grainy. Go with the lower to be fair, I'll try to catch a bigger one. I'll shoot for the smallest about March. Hope y'all boys ain't squeamish.

Roger that. Don't go giving these boys any ideas on that last J Staton.....

Here's a boat paddle




I have better things to do than cheat in a beaver tail contest. This tail I left in the shed for a conversation piece. It's a month old now but I measured it with a flexible tape this time and asked my wife to take the picture.
Thanks DaYooper I am sure you have a job coming up

id say that last one is 6 1/4 inches by looking how tape is held, not 7 inches

I'm on the lookout for those but on this one I'm ok with the submitted measurement.

Reasoning: you can tell it's because his finger is holding down the right side for the close-up. With the center hump of the tail it pushes the other end of the tape measure up, should that be flattened there it'd be where it needs to. We all only have two hands while we're out on the line and I don't want to start nickle & diming folks for a fun, benefit of the doubt t-man contest. That said - if it's egregious we can call it out.

Nice catch varmintshooter!

I bet Ol' Useless from Mountain Man TV show is measuring that one...no wonder all his building are leaning !

ok on that deduction on measurement....

Almost cut it off before I remembered it was my widest so far. I used the panorama option on my phone which gets both ends of the measurement but makes the overall pic kinda wonky.

I see tire tracks on that tail....no running over the tails ,to make them wider.....lol

You don't let any of them grow up Mike. You got to let them get more than a yearling size before you catch them.

Well I had to do something to surpass my entry from last year.

Posting for Cole Semo

54# north Missouri farm pond beaver.

57 pounds from 12/21/17

I'd been pursuing this 1 since 12/9. Finally on 12/18 I put out some Dobbins' Woodchipper on a stick between shore and a Duke 330, and got it right away.

WELP,,,,,not the biggest yet.......but what the hey...i'll jump in

Nice additions by 10bands, Cole Semo, Kbmo, AJE & Foxkidd44!

Posting for Pine Doggin, his first ever beaver. I think he may be hooked

An Ohio 7 incher. Ours are usually skinny. This guy was 58lbs. The 60lber from the same lodge was close to 6 3/4.

Best I've seen this year.

7.3125

I will be out of town until 1/15 with no internet, but if you drop me a PM with your email address or phone, whichever is best, we can connect then and I'll post pics for those who need it.

Without further adieu - posting for MB Coonguy.

“82 lb beaver-this is my biggest beaver I have caught-next biggest was 71 lbs. It was caught way out on the marsh-lived in a bullrush lodge-no trees for miles”

MB Coonguy with a tail that big it must have some from the South. Way to go, nice catch

Now that's a beaver! Congrats on catching that big boy!

Posting for cole...thought we were leading but congrats to MB Coonguy

Got a dandy today!

MB Coonguy that's one heck of a beaver. You should win a prize just for lifting that thing for a picture.
Ack that is a dandy.

not a winner but I'm in lol

4" in lol almost cut it off before I remembered to take a picture.
12/31/17 Wiscosnin

Got another dandy!

I was finally able to catch a few beavers. The first was 53 lbs, second was 57lbs, and the little guy weighed in at 19 lbs. Not big tails, but I'm in.

47 pounds I can't get the picture of me holding it to load so I'll work on that later

Southeast Illinois 44 lb beaver. Just started trapping beaver this year. My second one.

Anyone willing to post a pic for me cannot get it to upload

My only chance to win was to cheat...So here is my 10.375" Beaver Tail!




2 big adults out of one house. Remembered to take a picture after I already skun the other one.

Lol Mike...coincidentally I snagged a medium beaver in a #1 1/2 coil yesterday set for mink....yep it had one of your Wild River pans on it. Thanks for a quality product.

No way to dig a pocket without attracting the local beaver. That fresh smell of mud and any disturbance has their curiosity peaked.

The winner should freeze the beaver for next years contest.

Back stateside finally. Updated standings!

Another one 4"

Not going to take first place but my biggest this year. 5.125"

here we go, my first one for this year, 38 lbs.

HOW N WHERE DO i SUBMIT A PHOTO

THANKS BUT i VIEWED THE CURRENT PHOTOS N MINE DONT MEASURE UP YET

Grizz, there's 2 random drawings as well.

Another

40+ pounder. About 45

Figured I'd get in 45.57 lbs

5 5/8"

New personnel best 662x fewlbs. Tail is 6.5in.
I'm trying to post but it says the file is to big does anyone know how to fix this. I tried cropping the image smaller

I'm in. Didn't weigh the beaver, but the one on the left is bigger. Neither is small by any stretch.

Harder than I thought it would be to take a picture where you can read the measurements. 7 1/16"

Posting for PineDoggin:

Updated standings. Good work all. Quick note - instead of ending 3/31 I'm going to end the contest 2/28.

I guess I understand but some of us have more open water til the end of March.

Yeah, All Of The Bigtailed Supertoads Go On The Prowl During MARCH Spring Breakup Here In Northern New York So Now I'll Never Be Able To Trap A Contender.

w

Sissy! Get the chainsaw, chisel or ax out and go get those beaver!

Pictures have no expiration date either...if you need any ideas.

walleyed Does Not Do The Cold Anymore.

Plavix Blood Thinner Have Made My Through The Ice Beaver Adventures A Thing Of The Past !!

w

Use of a chainsaw???
At the 1/9 FHA sale Eastern beaver avg. $12.05. Deduct commission nets about $10.80 for put up.
Use of a chainsaw???
I’m cutting and selling firewood.

LOL- not quite the same thing-beaver trapping isn't for money unless you are nuicanse trapping.It is definitely fun to get out in the outdoors-no money to be made fur trapping beavers

MB Agree on the fun but more fun with open water.

Bring them to MN on the carcass and I will save you the commission! You don't even have to skin or put them up for that!

Decided I would get in on the fun. This beaver wavers between 79 and 81 lbs. Weighing myself and then myself and beaver. LOL Didn't even have to carry it far. Still wearing the Rally Hess necklace!! 7.5" tail.

Wow!! Congrats! Thats a Toad!!!

Not monsters but they're my first Beaver ever

Ratbrain that's a toad!
Congrats on the first beavers Josh.

Thanks all, I caught this one on a small water cress drainage ditch you can usually step across.
Way to go Josh, you're in for a lifetime of sore backs!!!! LOL

Look at this big ugly one. And the beaver too. My biggest so far, at 62 Lbs. Felt like 162 tryin to climb with him up the creek bank and back to the truck.

OK,
Finally had a nice day out today so we got the fur out of the freezer and sold everything to Groeny. The boys and I would like to submit three entries to this contest.

Beaver #1, Noah caught it late December.
Here is pic in the field of this beaver...


Here is same beaver #1 now in back of truck brushed up and ready for sale. Those are all XXL and larger, December caught coons behind it.


Beaver #1 tail and tape...thing had a lot of notches in it. Hey, holding the tape with one hand and taking picture with the other isn't very easy. Sorry for the shadows!


Here is beaver #2 and beaver #3, let's call them. Both were whoppers.


Took them out of freezer and they are wet from when we washed them down and hadn't dried yet. smaller one on left is still North of 50 pounds.


Beaver #2 with tail tape, this is the smaller one of two...



Beaver #3 with tail tape, the larger one of these two...



Thanks for letting us participate! FYI, we received $12 each for these three today, carcass prices.
Jim, Noah, and Gunner

Good job!! $12 isn't bad on carcass.

Caught the first one of the year today. Not a big beaver but a whopper tail for his size

My best this year

5.25"

Updated Standings. Less than a month to go! Trapperalex - I can't see the pics you posted for your entry?

Can't figure out how to get the full picture uploaded. Hopefully this is good enough 6.5" 66lbs personal best

Well it wont put me on top of the list but will get me on it and let the contenders know that I am out here and working it every morning. Had to take a selfie and was hard to do with this big gal. That is a 4ft cutting board.

71 Pound Flat Tail





The Tail is about an 1/8 inch off 8 inches

Awesome beaver young man-well done!!!

Nice one! Those dog-gone Illinois beaver!!!

MB and the other Monster killers, Would you mind describing the sets you took them in?? I'm sure they seen plenty of 330 sets.Thanks

Castor mound set guarded with a Rally Hess snare.

I've caught all of mine in 330s, my largest one was caught out in front of the dam cross over with a dive stick

Nothing like last year, but I'll play





I gotta add this. I was fortunate enough last year to come away from this contest with the RTS setters. My 11 year old can set a 330 with them no problem, nice product. Thanks to Trapset for the donation and the quality product.

All three of ours were caster mounds guarded with snares. Rebar stakes with #9 wire supports and coil whammys.
We just used loaded 1/19 5/64" fast snares.
Jim

Caught mine way way out in the middle of a marsh-bullrush lodge-no wood anywhere.330 Belisle with some of the Boss man's "Backbreaker" behind it.

Hey Thanks everyone, Guess it's just luck of the draw between snares and 330's.And yeah the boss man's special sauce defiantly does magic to a set. Great Beaver guy's and thanks for sharing.

this is one of my favorite threads every year! congrats every one it's nice seeing all those big beavers

How about the longest tail contest? I got a 70 pounder with a 7.5 wide by 15.5 long. Not bad for a southern beav. Sarge

Nice job Sarge! After seeing several pics of Southern beaver...I agree they have longer tails compared to most Northern beaver. Doug from Georgia has posted a lot of quality pics and it became clear...different genetics possibly?

Last year I had a lot of fun with this, and was looking at new entries and generally enjoying it. Mostly because I was actually catching beaver during the contest. I don't do much under the ice since ice has not been very reliable the last decade or so, but it is looking like hard water could last into March this year so I am just shut down until open water. If you are about to call me a wimp, or say I just don't want to gear up and start sawing ice, you would be right about that, so take my comments lightheartedly.

Don't get me wrong, I am still looking at the results once in a while, and I appreciate the effort and certainly don't lose any sleep over it, but I would humbly add my voice to any who might suggest that the contest last until the northern states' spring seasons end. Just gives more opportunities for us all to join in and have some fun and promote beaver trapping in general.

With all of that said, thanks for doing it! Im just selfish and was hoping I might have a chance to join the contest this year.

Caught this one this weekend. Not a winner but he had a big water slapper. 7.5"

Nice job all! Sure are some big tails out there. Must be all in the genetics.

I've not seen a tail that made it 7.5 inches here, and that's including multiple 65 lb. plus beavers.

Maybe it’s true everything is bigger in Texas .

Updated Standings, very strong entries fellas. Keep slogging it out, 16 days left. In the spirit of the Olympics - come on boys - a Canadian has us beat by 1/4 inch.




Trapperalex - send me a pm, would like to get you entered but can't see your pics

SGT. C - nice work! can you post a picture for the entry please?

I thought about longest but it's that much harder to get a pic w/ only 2 hands and the whole thing in the frame. Then there's the finicky hair line issue, just easiest and simplest for everyone going width. I didn't want it to turn into a - he measured from the wrong spot thread.

Definitely not the biggest out there, but had to share my personal best. It's my first year trapping so I'm pretty stoked! Measured 7 3/8"

Well between 7 3/8 and 7 1/4 not a winner but a personal best, came off a 36 pound male that you can tell ust to be a monster but had Olmost no body fat, emaciated for shore, not shore why tho

Got my first beaver this morning! I'm guessing it was about 40lbs. Tail measures 4 1/8" wide, not really a contender for the tail but I'll enter it anyway!

I finished up with two more muskrats and a Beaver this morning. The beaver catch was kind of interesting. I caught it at a muskrat toilet in a number 1 long spring with a window sash weight in the middle of the Stream as a drowner. When I arrived on site this morning and saw that the whole works was gone I raked the bottom of the stream under the overhanging brush for about 20 yards in each direction with my garden rake thinking that maybe the rat had gotten caught in some heavy current and had washed slightly downstream, or maybe a big mink stepped in and tangled up close by . I spent about 20 minutes in the five degree weather this morning raking the stream bed before expanding my search and locating the beaver hidden under some brush about 50 yards downstream. A quick dispatch with the 22 pistol was required to get a closer look at this unusual catch. Upon closer inspection the old number one Victor long spring was attached just above one rear toenail. Why the Trap or the nail never came off I don't know, but here is my 4-7/8"

entry to the beaver tail contest.

[quote=DaYooper14]Updated Standings, very strong entries fellas. Keep slogging it out, 16 days left. In the spirit of the Olympics - come on boys - a Canadian has us beat by 1/4 inch.

Are you sure that's not 8.125 centimeters?

Here's another: 52# female, I see 6 and 9/16" (maybe 5/8...). Solid middle of the pack beaver tail. Still looking for one over 8". Maybe on the next check...

Just getting to my beaver properties and first ones in the water Monday morn. Nothing quite like pulling up that drowning rod and hoping for a fat tail for the contest!
Way to stick it out arrowsmith - them cheeks look like it was 5deg! I was checking this morning and one trap had disappeared from its choke point on a fast moving creek and my heart sank. I always stake for otter. Always. Suddenly it became clear why I had an extra trap stake yesterday morning Perfect behind the neck catch waitin on me at the first turn of the creek.

ITS A FULL 1/2"" LOL

how do u post a pic on here

Here was one from weeks ago, was going to wait for some open water, but I don't think we are going to get rid of the ice soon.

Not the biggest but I get to play. Right at 6"

Got me another decent beaver. About 48 lbs.

I've been kinda disappointed in the beaver I've been catching. I've never paid too much attention to the tail size of the beaver in my area, but everything I've been catching have long skinny tails. Nothing to compete with yall's monster.

Heres my biggest so far.

9 more morning checks to go!

Well caught my first ever beaver this morning tail right at 6" weighed 55lbs not the biggest but fun for sure this is my first season beaver trapping put sets out yesterday

Thomas and his beaver!!

Thanks for help sis!!,
Hey y'all not a winner, I know but at least I made it in this season lol

Giant tails! Can't compete,but mighty glad to see this one floating- 5 1/4"

Here's one from a few days ago.

RICK!!!!! USA USA USA USA.
Anyway you can post a closeup? Whats that measurement?

Posting for Bluejay

i would say about 5 5/32 one on the map from eastern maine

Good luck to all tomorrow morning on the last check before the contest closes!

If anyone knows Rick Tischaefer - can you please get in touch, I need a measurement on that bad boy he quietly threw down w/ a picture. I can't zoom in on the picture without it becoming unreadable.

Yeah Looks like it's pushing 8.5

We finally got some open water, so I get to play!

just read the rules of play.I just looked at a coupple houeses today still under 3 ft. snow will be 2 weeks befor i ut ahole in the ice.

DaYooper,

Sorry to have been away and the quality of the photo. I don't have the recovery tools to do anything with the picture. The beaver was used for a fur handling demonstration at our Winter Meet last weekend, so I don't even know where the tail went. Probably somebody's lunch bucket. It was up against 8 1/4 when that picture was taken, probably would have been a solid 8 1/4 if the tape was straight across the tail. No big deal on this end. Good thread with all the great pictures!

Rick

I'll second the 8 1/4. When you zoom in you can see that it is approximately 1/4 of the distance between the two numbers, which can be seen to be 8 and 9. Maybe just shy...but darn close. For whatever that is worth..

Looks like 8 and a quarter to me too. Nice tail!
Jim

I'm gonna say 8 1/4 as well. Dern nice tail!!!

5 1/2 from SE OH

I know its not a winner but caught a second one so i figured id share. Bigger than the first one.

And I cant figure out how to turn the picture sorry y'all

Another great year in the books - thanks to all! I would like to let everyone know that I received multiple pm's from folks that really enjoy following this thread and your participation is greatly appreciated. Thank you to trapset and 1 anonymous donor for beefing up our prize pool this year!

Winners please check your inboxes.

Without further adieu:

• Fattest Tail Winner - Rick Tischaefer clocking in at 8.25" hailing from ND
  $50 F&T Gift card & your selection of any two 4oz bottles of Dobbins products
• Random Prize Winner # 1 - JOCO1995 w/ a 5.5" tail out of WI
  $50 F&T Gift card & your selection of any two 4oz bottles of Dobbins products.
• Random Prize Winner # 2 - Korey w/ a 6.0" tail from NC
  RTS Setter (rtssetter.com)

**** Rick wanted to donate his winnings back to the pool, what a guy! I split the prize to spread the love and hit the random number generator again. Congrats to Possumcatcher & Hubler13f

• Possumcatcher throwing down a 7" tail in NB
  $50 F&T Gift Card
• Hubler13f with a 4.125" from PA
  Choice of any two 4oz bottles of dobbins products

Until next year boys - stay safe out there

Hot dang I don't think I've ever won anything before, I need some backbreaker inbound lol

Congrats!!!

**** Rick is donating his winnings back to the pool, what a guy! I split the prize to spread the love and hit the random number generator again. Congrats to Possumcatcher & Hubler13f!

• Possumcatcher - $50 F&T Gift Card
• Hubler13f - Choice of any two 4oz bottles of dobbins products

bumping in case anyone knows Korey or Hubler13f - PM's unanswered and would like to get these shipped.

Congrats everyone who won and thanks for putting on another good contest this season!