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Post by G3TrapperNC on Dec 28, 2004 18:13:44 GMT -5
Hello all. I am new at trapping (as well as this forum). I set a couple of canine sets last winter in GA, but only caught a possum. This year, I am in NC and I bought some 330's & 160's to try and expand my knowledge, & hopefully put up some fur.
I friend of mine's family has a 900 acre farm. There is a man made pond in the center with a culvert below the dam (it used to supply water to an old mill). They are having trouble keeping the water running, since the beavers keep plugging the culvert.
I can only set at the culvert, since the pond is used for duck hunting until late January (hate to see a lab in a 330). Sunday I set 2 330's on the culvert and blocked the openings between with sticks stuck into the mud, hopefully to guide the beavers through the traps. I also used dive sticks. Yesterday I checked and there was no activity, as the culvert had been re-plugged by floating debris (I guess I did not clear it enough).
This morning I had some activity, but the beaver went around my trap, evidently pushing down the guide sticks. I am guessing that they were not secure enough to keep the beaver from going through. I pounded them in this time 12-18 inches with a sledge hammer hoping this does not happen again.
Does this sound like it might be the problem?
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Post by Deadfall_Paul on Dec 28, 2004 19:34:47 GMT -5
I am not an expert on beaver but it sounds like you are doing the right thing.
Let us know what happens tomorrow.
Paul
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Post by G3TrapperNC on Dec 29, 2004 10:59:31 GMT -5
Missed him again today Same situation. He came in parallel to the bank and knocked down the guide sticks. I moved the 330 there and blocked the other opening. We will see shen I check again on Friday. I'm thinking he is coming from that side because there is more material there for him to use to dam the culvert (it is shallower there). We'll see if I can catch this guy. May be wise to body grips, and I may have to invest in some footholds & drowners.
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Post by Deadfall_Paul on Dec 30, 2004 11:44:52 GMT -5
Hey G3 how did it go today?
Did you get him or any new strategies ?
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Post by G3TrapperNC on Dec 31, 2004 20:23:08 GMT -5
Okay, so now I feel like an idiot.
I was not able to check traps yesterday. I was at a funeral in OH for my gandfather. On the way back today, my father and I checked the set - he had not seen it yet. Again, the beavers apparently broke through and fired the trap, but it missed. The culvert was blocked again.
My father, who has not trapped in 50 years pointed out something that should have been fairly obvious. The beaver is not accessing the culvert from the water. They are coming out of the water near the culvert (due to the guide sticks around he culvert) and walking down the same path I take to set the traps. (all of 20 foot walk).
The darn thing is going around the wall of guide sticks and coming in behind them to re-seal the culvert. Makes perfect sense: 1. There is sign that they are exiting and entering the water @ 8' from the culvert 2. The water inside the guide sticks is shallow enough (@7") for the beaver to get leverage to pull the guide sticks out of the mud to clog the culvert 3. Why go through when it is very simple to go around?
Rookie mistake - lesson learned: Block all possible alternate routes to get them through your 330's.
New strategy - I will set two foothold drowning sets in front of the culvert - one to each side. I will also set a snare over the trail, in case he gets there first. That should do the trick.
I will keep everyone posted.
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Post by Deadfall_Paul on Jan 1, 2005 12:38:03 GMT -5
G3TrapperNC
Sorry to hear about your grandfather. You and your family have my prayers and condolences.
Boy you are sure giving us all a lesson in beaver trapping !
I look forward to getting online and seeing if "we" caught the bugger yet.
Keep us updated will you please.
Paul
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Post by TimWilcox on Jan 1, 2005 15:44:05 GMT -5
Like a good friend told me "Beavers get smart in a hurry" ! Alot of truth to that too.
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Post by Deadfall_Paul on Jan 1, 2005 17:03:42 GMT -5
Tim, from reading your posts on other forums I can see you sure are racking up the beaver.
Your gonna have to give me some pointers for next year 'cause that's one thing I haven't trapped much of.
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Post by TimWilcox on Jan 2, 2005 5:57:19 GMT -5
Paul,
I remember Paul Dobbin's saying "if you can trap muskrats, you can trap Beavers." Well it has been alot of fun this year & I have learned alot too.
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Post by G3TrapperNC on Jan 2, 2005 15:58:50 GMT -5
Deadfall - I am not sure when I will be able to put in the footholds. I pulled the 330's - no point keeping them there when they are not appropriate for the set.
I will let you know when I catch him.
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Post by G3TrapperNC on Jan 9, 2005 9:44:16 GMT -5
Well, I put in one of my new CDR 7.5's yesterday. I checked it this morning, and the trap was fired but empty.
I think I breasted the beaver for a couple of reasons:
1. There was a lot of debris and some hair in the trap. I figure the little bugger was bringing in a load to clog the culvert and fired it with his breast.
2. There was a kink in the drowning wire above the drowning lock. It appears he came in, the trap snapped on his chest, and he lurched forward, kinking the wire and pulling out.
I moved the set back about 6" further out & about 3" deeper in the water. We will see if that helps.
I also moved @ 100' away and put in another CDR 7.5. I made a castor mound and lured it. Put a couple of peeled sticks on the slide for good measure.
No luck yet, but I am learning a lot.
I did see him swimming the lake right at dawn. Tempted to put the .22 to him, but it would not have been safe....I think he was just tormenting me......
I'll keep you posted.
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Post by Deadfall_Paul on Jan 9, 2005 12:16:47 GMT -5
Hey G3 you have a right smart beaver there ! They wise up pretty quick.
I'm thinking putting the scent mound set was a good move.
Let us know tomorrow that you got him.
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Post by TimWilcox on Jan 9, 2005 13:05:21 GMT -5
Here is a tip that was told to me & I will pass it onto you. When your using footholds for beaver, you need to offset the trap. If you think about it, the back side of the beaver is wider then the front. So the trap needs to be offset so when the beaver comes into shore & droppes it's back legs WAMMO.
Set the trap 18 to 20 inches away from the shoreline & then offset about 4 inches. Also make certain your trap is bedded firmly, thats why I like the DBL long springs, they do not move. Good luck & let us know ! I forgot to mention, as far as pan tension, you want your pan fairly firm. My #4's have the old pan design but it takes alot for the Beaver to trip it.
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Post by G3TrapperNC on Jan 9, 2005 19:25:55 GMT -5
Thanks Paul & Tim. I did focus on offsetting, but had a tough time with the water level. Because of the culvert, was not sure where it would level out when I cleared it out. I think I was too shallow. I had the water running through the culvert pretty good when I left (had to - a lot of floating debris in this lake would clog it on its own if I did not do a good clearing job).
One thing I may have made a mistake on....I think I probably should have set the dog perpendicular to the approach route. If you think about it, a beaver's foot is longer than it is wide. A CDR 7.5 is wider than it is long (so to speak)If I set the dog perpendicular, it would line up better with the foot I think.
Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!
John
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Post by TimWilcox on Jan 13, 2005 10:54:11 GMT -5
Updates ?
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