Beaver pros. ???

I just got another beaver contract and this location is very different from any others I have done It does not have any dams, and no wood lodge. It is a six acre pond that has a stream coming in on the east end with a man made dam on the west end. All mature woods on the south shore with at least 8 old caved in bank dens. The north bank is bare of any vegetation as it has been excavated recently

It is a Lilly pad pond. Eight feet deep. The owner "thinks there is only two beavers". I told him not likely. He has only owned it for two years so he had no idea on history of the besvers there.

There is still excavation happening at location including tomorrow the contractor is removing the east side culvert and building a bridge that will span 12 feet across the stream

There are three slides on the West Bank that are obvious. To west is brush an swamp that is going down a earthen dam that goes to the outlet creek that had no dams.

My thoughts are drowning rigs at the slides. Drowning rigs in front of a couple "càstor mounds". And some 330 in any channels I can locate in streams.

Setting it tomorrow late afternoon. Any suggestions welcome

First I would put a piece of fresh poplar ..but peel it a bit at the top for eye appeal and odor...and shove it into the waters edge...if it's gone the next day....you have beaver to catch. And set some 330's at the waters edge...1/2 submerged or whatever you state says with a dive pole over the top of the trap ...then a stink stick with some of Bob Wilsons Green Beaver Lure on it about 8 inches behind the trap . quick and simple....I'll draw yah a picture if yah need one . Good luck on those flat tails

I trap a lot of ponds like this. Any way to find where they are living? Easiest way is to find the bank hole. Two traps, two checks. Maybe set a coni in a few of those old houses that look like they are dead.

I would be careful with using too much Bob wilsons right off the bat. I have found that on open water, it attracts beaver like a magnet, but in a pond with already established territories, it can scare beaver super fast.

I would right away put a conibear in that stream. Chances are they will be traveling down it at some point. Just dont put any lure beyond the trap. I have had a job shut off fast when a beaver is caught, and there is scent beyongd the trap. I figure the remaining beaver now associates the lure with a dead beaver, and you will shoot yourself in the foot.

If you get the first beaver, and only think there is one other, wait a few days, then use the castor from the first beaver to lure in the second. Dont be shy with the castor either if you use it from the first one.

Why don't you use some suitcase style traps or a square beaver cage traps.... sounds like you are getting a lot of headaches from all these footholds and 330's....

What Hutchy said. I have never had a problem on ponds like you describe. Don't overthink it. Two Conlbears, two beaver, collect check,

but don't forget to ask if you should come back next year and check for new ones. Some beavers like to live in pre-owned dens.

If all goes well and there is a pair you can often do the job in 12 hours. I go in at dark, set two swim through cages side by side, (a few inches apart) in just over a foot of water so they are just under. Either narrow a spot or find one a spot about 4 feet wide. Put castor on the bank and a little at the waters edge. That's it. Very often you will have both in the morning. You can also put 660 or 330 conibears on top half in and half out. Of course snares will do it, just need to make sure they don't tangle up. Cages are faster, not dangerous.

never had a problem with Bob Wilsons anywhere......there is no such thing as a smart beaver...it's a rodent !! But there are dumb trappers.

Its more like a Dumb trapper will make an EDUCATED beaver

Sorry go to all of your guys advise after I set. (Ended up stating at 10:00am yesterday). So I had to go with what has worked in the past for me. Put 4 conies in front of den holes and 5 droning rigs Put beaver oil in front of one drowner (oil from beaver I took last winter) and commercial beaver lure in front of the other four on castor mounds

Below is what awaited me this morning

The 43lbs was in drowner that had oil

The 27lbs and 17lbs were on drowners with castor mounds

No other traps tripped

The picture of the foot is the big ones , it was only held on by a little skin as the toe was complete broke off and webbing ripped

Thx

See, I told you those ponds are fun! I've had a few of those toe-holds myself, which is why I use two footholds on every drowning rig.

Another insightful thread!

Thanks,
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