Author Topic: new guy with questions. (Read 670 times)

dcl · « **on:** February 18, 2006, 11:08:26 AM »

Hi guys. I just found this site. Wow what a cool place. I hope you don't mind answering a few questions for me. I live in N. Illinois and just found out we can trap beavers till the end of march. Well I am always looking for an excuse to get out in the woods so I am going to give it a try. I have no beaver trapping experience so please bear with me. Are beaver hides worth anything this late in the season? Are water sets like slides and den sets my best bet? I can't trap on land due to the land owners roaming dogs. Are 330 traps my best bet for beavers? What should I use for trap stakes? What books do I need to read to learn how to trap beavers? Thanks for any help you can offer me. dcl

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2006, 12:37:07 PM »

Welcome,Beaver are indeed real nice right now.I am north of you in Minnesote,our northern beaver are in good shape ,sometimes till early may.
I use all 330s in my beaver taking.Castor mounds of my making are my main set.
If you look down a bit,you will see a photo of one of my castor mound sets.The posting has over 2500 hits.
I use cable attached to my 330s,I stake with a 24 inch x 1/2 inch rertod stake.
I did 3 demos in illinois last fall,but I cannot remember if your 330s must be totally subnerged or only 1/2.To many demos---to many states---to many different regulations.So please check your laws regarding 330s.
As you have more questions,just ask.
Tom

330-Trapper · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2006, 06:20:46 PM »

Welcome dcl, Beaver trapping in the spring is Very fun because the Beav's are on the move being all territorial and all that. They make Castor mounds which you can learn to identify and guard with traps, or you can do like Bogmasters photo and recreate your own mud pattie and add some Castor lure to it and guard it with a 330 or other trap like a MB750 or CDR ... If you can use the 330's there they will be your main trap to learn with...

There are lots of good video's on Beaver for sale at this site.

Or Books like you said also... If you can Identify beaver runs or bank dens...these locations are prime spots...set the runs and make Castor mound sets nearby...

On my 330's I have a 5' cable with snaps on each end with one end fastened to a cable loop on the 330 ... these extension cables make it Fast and easy to hook my trap to a tree root or stump or whatever is near to hold the Beaver and trap in the general area... Don't hook your trap to green wood for an anchor ...years ago I had one beaver chew the green brush which held the trap wire, and it allowed the beaver which was caught (dead) to float into a deep pool which was very hard to find then...

Any questions just ask, we'll do our best to help, but buy a video if you can!

330-Trapper

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2006, 10:21:45 AM »

Welcome dcl

The beaver experts have already answered your questions so I won't add anything there. Ace

gc_trapper · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2006, 12:02:37 PM »

Welcome and they pretty much covered everything. I have caught one beaver this year and it was all thanks to Tom's (bogmaster's) castor mound set. Hope you have a fun time trapping and I hope you get a lot of beaver.

-Cody Craig

dcl · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2006, 01:10:01 PM »

thanks for the quick replies to the questions guys. I hope to get out and give this a try soon as I get some supplies. which leads me to the next question. Which brand of traps/330 size should I buy? It sure seems like there is alot of different opinions out there. Plus I will have to have some leg hold traps too.Any suggestions on which are best for beavers? I sure wish I had kept my trapping gear from before. Got alot to buy I guess. I am going to start small and see how it goes. Thanks again for the suggestions. take care. dave

Bogmaster · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2006, 01:14:56 PM »

Dave,do you get the Trapper and Predator caller magazine?The march issue just came out,and I have an article on just the trap use questions you have asked.
Also sending you a private message.
Tom

gc_trapper · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2006, 03:45:57 PM »

I always buy Duke 330s if they have them, because they are cheaper and are defineitly strong enough to catch beaver, but normally my fur dealer only carries Sleepy Creek 330s and I get them. Personally I would rather buy the Dukes though. As for footholds I normally use number 4 victor longsprings, but I also know people who buy Bridger number 5s.

illbzbeaver · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2006, 04:54:10 PM »

dcl welcom and i too am in illinois i am just out side of peoria if you need some help let me know i may be able to help ya

dcl · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2006, 04:04:33 PM »

thanks alot for the offer illbzbeaver. I haven't even been out yet. I borrowed a few traps. got to get an order in with bogmaster soon. work went crazy and now i am swamped. guess I'll get out when I can. take care. dcl

fishadict · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2006, 02:07:51 PM »

I use Bridger 330's in front of castor mounds. Works like a charm. I add an extension cable to the chain and stake in the current with a 30" T bar stake. That way I hope the beaver ends up on the bottom. Doesn't always work, but does help reduce bites.

fa