Need help trapping beaver!

[gsu51]

Hello everyone, it has been a while since my last post. I checked into the trapper mentor program in my area, and had no success. I have recently purchased a couple conibear 330 traps. I am trying to trap beaver on my land with no success. I have done an abundant amount of research on different sets. Right now I have my traps set in a dam break scenario, but I have many questions. First, How far out in front of the break should the trap be set? How deep should it be set? Should the trigger be on the top or the bottom? What should I use as funneling device? Is it better to have the trap set at the top of the dam or the bottom of the dam? Finally, how long usually will it take for the beaver to investigate the break? That is enough for now, please help with what you can. Thank You, GSU trapper 51!

[Big B]

A set that is simple and would work better for you is to find where the Beaver are going over the dam and set the 330 in the water at the bottom of the crossover, even if there isn't a good trail they will be crossing. Just back up and pick the best looking spot and fence just a little, make sure to put a dive stick over you 330 . This set will catch you some Beaver.....B.....

[Bogmaster]

Beaver are my bread and butter,well maybe my bread--with rats being the butter.
 I never make dam break sets,the castor mound using a 330 accounts for hundreds of beaver every season.
 I do not mess with a hole in the dam for several reasons.I do not water levels dropping on my sets,also the beavers interest is focusing on plugging that dam--not on my sets.Give me a phone call(651)436-2539,I will explain my setting procedures,and have you skinning beaver the day after you make your sets.Provided you have them to trap.   Tom

[mntrapper28]

i mix it up a little bit, when there is ice on the lake like there is now, i try to find where there food is located and put a 330 in between the lodge and the food.  other wise i find slides and and runs and use a mix of snares and 330's.  i've tried using a number 14 and have had limited success.  

bogmaster, isn't it illegal to alter or destroy a beaver dam to aide in trapping, in minnesota i'm asking, i thought i read that in the regulations?

[Bogmaster]

Minnesota regulations state:No person may disturb,injure,or destroy,any beaver house,dam,burrow ,or den.
 Tom

[mntrapper28]

thanks bog, i thought i did read that in the regs, although it would be easier than hackin through 10 inches of ice.

[steven49er]

Like B said a crossover set on a beaver dam is far superior to a dam break set.  On a break set the trap will be plugged with debris as much as not if an active colony is in the area.  I like the downstream side of the of the dam for a crossover but the upstream side will work well also.  Usually it is pretty obvious where the beaver are crossing.   One point to note is that if otter are unwanted than I wouldnt recommend this set.  It is an otter getter.  If you want to catch otter as well this set is tough to beat.

But I am in Bogs camp on the castor mound set.  If I had to pick one open water set this would be it.