Beaver questions

I've never really trapped beaver...but now I live in an area where there are good opprotunities.


Was mostly wondering about how long it takes to catch them in good set locations?


Would it be worthwhile to set for just a night or 2??


I have a few locations in mind but they are a bit of a drive and then a hike into. Trapping during my work week is probably a little much to handle.


Not looking to get rich or catch a ton. Mostly just for fun, meat and castor and oil for bait, and I'd like to have a big blanket tanned and make a hoop for a wall hanger.


The areas I have in mind probably aren't trapped....there's much easier locations to trap and access.... I figured they'd be my best shot at "easy to catch" and bigger sizes.


Just never did it so I don't know if setting for a couple days each week is worthwhile or if the sets take some time to soak before they connect?



Thanx!

Find yourself a good beaver channel, set a 330 in it, and you're good to go.
Don't overthink it.

Thanx Hal.

The season is in now and runs through March. Gives me a good bit of trial and error. Just wanted to make sure it was feasible to only let them out a couple days each week.

"The first hundred are the hardest" -- Charles Dobbins.

If the sets are in active runs or on castor mounds 1-3 days should be plenty to pull the beaver out of there you want to. I like to set heavy catch the dumb easy ones in a check or two and pull out, this prevents over harvest and you don't waste time trapping the smart educated ones.

I get paid to over harvest.

Thanx guys!


I'm pretty excited about the new experience.



Any preference on 330 brand? I don't own any...I'm sure some are better than others. I don't really wanna invest a fortune into them. Will play around with snares and footholds too I'm sure just to learn. I'm sure all 330s aren't created equal. Can be 10" high and 12" wide here.

I think you will find even the most inexpensive 330's functional for your purposes.

Perfect! Not looking for serious beaver work. Just kinda dabbling to learn and have some fun. Didn't wanna find the cheaper ones are more frustration than they are useful.

Way too much emphasis is placed on high dollar equipment. High-dollar equipment won't make the trapper. That's putting the cart ahead of the horse.

You will most likely connect the first night on a well used channel. Just find the narrowest pinch point and put you a 330 in like Hal said. It is a labor of love lol

To answer your questions:


Was mostly wondering about how long it takes to catch them in good set locations? - one night
Would it be worthwhile to set for just a night or 2?? - absolutely
The areas I have in mind probably aren't trapped....there's much easier locations to trap and access.... I figured they'd be my best shot at "easy to catch" and bigger sizes. - just remember you gotta haul em the same way you came in!
Just never did it so I don't know if setting for a couple days each week is worthwhile or if the sets take some time to soak before they connect? its worth it

You're not nuisance trapping so hammer away. Don't forget to post your successes on the contest thread. Good luck!

Thanx!



I realize they gotta come out somehow lol...if we ever get a winter, I have a sled....if is dry, I have a cart...if it's rough ground, I have a frame pack for hauling meat...


Who knows...maybe others do hike into these places...but with beaver prices the last year's, you'd have to wanna trap beaver badly to get into the more remote swamps and ponds I have in mind.

A lot of it'll be dual purpose...scouting for deer, turkey and furbearers and such as well as running some beaver traps and running some trail cams and such.

Will be learning to trap smaller beaver ponds and smaller creeks as well as a pretty big wetland marsh/swamp. I deer hunt the big marsh/swamp and noticed they are chewing some very big trees.

Set them Saturday.....and have Fur on Sunday