How to stretch my traps and time?

[T-Bar]

OK not literally...but what do you guys suggest I do to maximize my catch with not alot of traps?

Right now I only have 6 330's...mostly because its only my 5th year trapping and also because the government doesn't pay you worth a crap when you're just starting out!!!

One thing I do have and can get plenty more of are snares. I have actually had equal success with snares and 330's with my castor mound sets so I'm thinking the snares are probably the way to go for me at this point.

I've got 4 spots to trap beaver this spring and I can't wait till ice-out. So what do you guys recommend as far as how long and how hard to trap each place?

[Bogmaster]

 I always hit it as hard as possible, also the places I trap, want the beaver gone--not half gone.
 I find 330s are way faster for me to set up than snares, comes from years of practice  lol.
 And I hate having to set up drowning paraphenalia for the snares.
 Keith, you may find that 1 beaver buys you a couple 330s this year.
 Keep is posted on what you are doing .
 Tom

[RdFx]

Yeppers Keith, when you catch a bvr or two   and you have a fur buyer near hopefully , you can either sell in round or  skin and sell green and get some  $$ to buy a few more  330s if  they are  available close by... good luck...

[Bogmaster]

 LOL, they are as close as the phone lee,(651) 436-2539 . And I also make snares.
 Rumor has it, we may get near 50 degrees ,late next week.
 Tom

[T-Bar]

Unfortunately I don't think I have anyone that close to sell fur too. Somewhere up near Willmar is the closest I've seen and with $3.10 gas its not worth the trip for the few beaver I catch.

Pertaining to the beaver buying me more traps...I just got my check from the one watershed I trap here. I got $60 bounty on the 2 beaver I caught through the ice this winter. I am chomping at the bit to get out there this spring in some open water because I know there are more around...hopefully the castor mounds make short work of them!!! Say $20 for the hide and $30 for the bounty and we're I might be able to get a decent arsenal of traps yet!!!

I would like to do some business with you Tom on a few more 330's. I've got $107.00 in my trapping account right now so what does that get me for 330's and stands? Like 3 of each?

I'm hoping to buy a small chest freezer for my hides. I brought back a beaver trough that I made at home last weekend so I finally have a nice setup to do my skinning. Tom how far are you from Glencoe? I'd definitely consider running my fur up to you if its feasible.

-Keith

[Bogmaster]

 Keith, you can get 4 330's and 4 20 inch stabilizers,mailed to your door and still have money left.
 If you took 94  to wi, you were within 2 miles of me.
 My fur buyer is 20 miles from me.
 Tom

[jim-NE]

Only thoughts I had were to set only on best locations, and then if you have a trap that doesn't connect after a few checks move it to a better location.
I also find a nice spot, gang set it and hit it hard for a few days. When the catch drops off then pull it all up and move to next location.
I have also used just two sets per good location and spread my own limited traps among several good spots like that. More traps and more locations is always best to put odds in your favor.
Can also see if you can get some decent used equipment. If snares are allowed, I've been able to snare beaver in many locations that I didn't want to risk losing a higher-priced #330 and did OK with the snares. Can also make these inexpensively with materials from a local hardware store and can carry a bunch of these in a large coat pocket. I don't usually make my snare sets to drown, just to hold them then I dispatch the catches when I check them. I get a lot of my beaver in bank trail sets or at castor mound sets with a narrow approach or trench cut for an approach that is guarded with a snare. Sometimes they are waiting for me on land, sometimes are swimming when I get there.
Jim

[MacinMaine]

"OK not literally...but what do you guys suggest I do to maximize my catch with not alot of traps?

Right now I only have 6 330's...mostly because its only my 5th year trapping and also because the government doesn't pay you worth a crap when you're just starting out!!!

One thing I do have and can get plenty more of are snares. I have actually had equal success with snares and 330's with my castor mound sets so I'm thinking the snares are probably the way to go for me at this point.

I've got 4 spots to trap beaver this spring and I can't wait till ice-out. So what do you guys recommend as far as how long and how hard to trap each place?"


Scout, and scout some more.  If you set six beaver traps you should be setting six trap sets that will net you about six beaver and fast.  Make the very best sets you can, do not make a set that "might" catch a beaver, but one that will catch a beaver.  Who in their right mind would want more than six to skin, flesh and board at one time? LOL
 
How long to stay in a spot?  It is different than fall trapping.  In the fall you probably should have what you need done in about two checks, maybe three.  In the spring, say you are setting a big river that is a travel way, you are  no doubt exposing any trap set to "traveling" beaver verse setting a back woods flowage.  Most guys I know that run many traps in the spring, find moving water and set it up.  The beavs are a moving.  Just my thoughts.

If you want info on maximizing your catch with a small amount of traps in the fall, ask away.

Mac