getting rid of beavers

[barber]

  In my state we are not allowed to use leg hold or coniber traps,only box traps.  I s there any way to attract beavers so they can be shot?  Or any way to get them into a wire mesh box trap?  I have a real problem and there will be high water soon, and it is going to damage my land. HELP!!!

[corbanzo]

  In my state we are not allowed to use leg hold or coniber traps,only box traps.  I s there any way to attract beavers so they can be shot?  Or any way to get them into a wire mesh box trap?  I have a real problem and there will be high water soon, and it is going to damage my land. HELP!!!

Can you shoot them in your state?  I know most states cannot, only trapping.


Box traps are a tough one on beavers....  a slide on a damn maybe, with double ended box trap that springs closed on both sides?  Or make a V-channel out of sticks, with the same double ended idea as above.   If you made a cutback into a bank so the back of the box trap could be filled with dirt so it looked like the bank, open side out, disguised with some roots and bush, baited inside with some fresh sticks?


If you can shoot them, all you would really have to do is find a good spot a little bit away from a den and wait, you will definitely see them.  They are very mobile critters.  If you have a spot with their "favorite" trees they are getting into, you will see where they are coming in and out of the water, try a double open end box trap their with sticks poked in the dirt on either side to guide them in.  If you cut down a couple "tasty" trees for them as bait - they will come for them, especially if you cut up some sticks for them.




Once again... if it is legal!   I would find a couple of young guys, tell them you'll let them take the pelts and give them some money for ammo, and let them shoot them.  Low cost, no work, etc.   If anyone spends time looking, beavers are very easy to shoot.  I know in my state it is illegal though.

[mechanic]

Explosives work well....if you can get them.
 
Ben

[hillbill]

i have seen a live trap specific for beavers. it is like a wire mesh clamshell, you open the clamshell out flat to set it, then yu put it under water and somewhat disguise it with water weeds and such.when the beaver triggers it, it snaps shut holding the beaver in the wire mesh clamshell.since it is set in shallow water, the beaver will stay alive till you come get it.
 
i dont know who makes them but if i remember correctly they are expensive.you mite contact your local conservation dept as i know these traps are used by goverment trappers.

[barber]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know squat about beavers,Is the den by the dam ? I f not, how do I fine the den.  The dam is in an inacessable spot, so I can't do anything with it  Is there any way to bait them?  If so,what would I use?
 

[corbanzo]

Is flooding what you are worried about?  If it is - then explosives are the way to go.  Usually you can get your county to either approve you for it, or they will actually do it themselves if it is deemed the water will do damage.


The houses are made of sticks and mud, they look like a big pile of sticks that go down into the water, the entrance is actually underwater.


The houses are not usually next to the dams, they are usually in a spot that has low water flow, and good amounts of shore line on either side away from rivers coming in and out so seasonal fluctuations don't affect the house.  Do a google search on beaver houses - they are very easy to spot - like I said, big ass pile of sticks that goes down into the water on the shore, a round top to the mound, then gently sloping down from there.


The dam is what you have to worry about, it has to be destroyed.  It gives the beavers more habitat, and if they have built it up to decent size, chances are the water is going to get even higher than it is now without any more work.  Explosives work great for this.  If you can get explosives on it, getting a rope and a winch, loop the rope through a few feet of the damn, winch it open.  Repeat repeat repeat.  It is important you do this ASAP.  Brand new beaver dams are easy to take out, but old ones, once they are full of mud and leaves binds it all up like clay, then you HAVE to use explosives. 

[Bogmaster]

 Beaver will go readily into a large enough cage trap.Have taken several beaver that needed to be taken out live.
 I do prefer the Ez set beaver live trap,though a big cage will work. I make a castor mound in the back and lure it with a castor based lure.
 They aren't hard to catch.
 Tom