beaver help please???

[itrap]

hi,
would like to do some spring beaver trapping, and if the comp is going to be up likesome are saying here, i would like to know some ways about trapping them.

for one - if ya trap on a river or stream chanel and want to setup on a cross over or a dam,  and someone has beaten ya to it, or if someone hasn't beaten to it, but is trapping the same area.

What would be the best way to set up?
  i will be using 330s mostly. don't plan on using to many snares or leg holds unless i half to.

would there be a way that i could set up farther down the stream, or set on the cross over or dam, and have my set sink with the beaver and all so noone could see my catch?

a drag line perhaps? with a drowner attached to it?  
  if so how would i do this with a 330?  
any suggestions anyone?
 
    don't have much lure on hand, so i plan on using as many natural means that i can to make my sets with.

also plan on making my own lure.

thanks for any replys and for the help you may have
...........

[Bogmaster]

If you have competition,bring the beaver to you.Make castor mounds and draw them to your sets.But you do need good lure for this.
 As far as hiding them,you can run a good length of cable on your 330.But this does not always work,some beaver never move an inch when caught in a 330,so they do not sink.
 One way to hide them,make your castor mounds in log jams,or other spots that are hidden.
 I have done this many times,people dont even know I am trapping there.
 But again,it is your lure that brings them where you want them.
 Tom

[mallarddrake85]

if ya are going to be trapping there, ya would have a good chance of losing one or more of your conis.  

for settin up on a dam, by bro and i kick a hole in the dam big enough for a 330 to fit in.  the beaver cant stand to lose that water and will try to fix the breach. we have caught many beaver like this.  

also for a dam, ya might set a 220 on top of the dam (if there is a indentation from traveling beaver)   your other critter seasons are prolly out now, so ya might not want to do this. (keep in in mind for next season)

look for slides along the banks where the beaver enter and exit the water, center set a 330, 220, or snare there (if using a foothold, go off center bout 2", i suggest a #4 or #5 dls).

also look for a bank den.  these are usually bout 3-4 feet under water, but if ya find one, do not hesitate to put a 330 (on a slide wire) there. this will produce many beaver. use a slide wire because, if there are more than one beaver there and they see a dead sibling, they are likely to move on and avoid that area.

look for beaver chewing close to the bank. if ya find one of these, take some fresh cutting and wire them to the triggers of you coni. we have taken several this way.

hope this helps.

mallarddrake85

[Bogmaster]

Opening the dam is illegal in many states,it is in Minnesota.Some state do not even allow you to set a trap on a dam.
 Be sure to check your regulations.
 Tom