How do you guys like to set your beaver traps front leg of rear leg? Some info I was taught by the best beaver trapper I know 400 - 600 beaver per year: He says 4" deep of water for front foot at trap and 4' deep to drown. I will use MB 750. To me it seems easier to have a front foot land on pan versus back foot. beavers vary so much in length.

I like to front foot catch,just my preference.

front foot.

Sets I make have a chance at front or back foot.

Take a look at this.
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/48033/page/1#Post48033

Can i also asku you guys to explain why you set for one or the other

Front foot catches can drown in shallower water than hind foot.Alot of my catches are in the river with the water fluxuation you may have 4 or 5 feet of water today an 2 foot deep tomorrow.

I set for the rear foot most of the time, but some situations make a front foot set the only one possible. Main reason I prefer the rear foot is.... twist offs on the fronts.

I use MB 750 laminated as my main foot trap. In some areas I cannot drown the beaver I catch, so they have to be held. Rear foot catch will always be there in the morning. Front foot...not always.I use snares quite often in these situations as well.
Both work good, but given a choice I'll a take rear foot catch.

It really doesn't matter what foot if you are sending them down a drowner cable that they can't pull to shore.

TasteLikeChicken

I will be using drowning rods, would a front foot set result in better odds, than rear foot. Like I said earlier they vary so much in length.

I prefer to catch them by the rear foot. However, I catch at least half of mine by the front foot.


Two places I use front foot is real steep banks, and shallow water.

If I have a good bank, and deep water, 3' is plenty, I set for rear foot.

I set for front foot this yr cause I only had #2 victor coils and had to clean out a colony for a fellow who's trees were being desimated. I got 6 front foot catches with 3ft of water on a slide cable with short chains. Did the trick. RD

The problem with front foot beaver catches, is the weakness of their "wrist" joints. While every one may not have seen wring-outs they happen with front foot catches, and almost never happen with rear foot catches.

Also, the heavier the trap used for front foot trap placement, the more likely that wring-outs will happen.

Waugh!
45/70,

I set for the back foot.

I set for back foot on dam breaks and front on most every thing else.

45-70's summed it up accurately IMO. I've never had a problem on rear foot catches....but I've had a few front foot "issues" in some 30+ years of beaver trapping.

I set for both front and hind foot. The location/situation will dictate which is appropriate.

Front foot twist outs are possible but I personally haven't had that problem. I feel with the proper pan tension and a little bit higher catch eliminates pinching them in the "weak spot!" Catch'em in the meaty part of the front leg and send'em down to deep water and no worries 98% of the time! Works for me.

Here's a pic of what I am speaking of.

I try to go for the front foot.

Possum Skinner

What depth do you try to set under water, and how far from the bank

330's. Fives are in the shed.

fa

Anywhere from a couple inches to five or six works for me. Kind of depends on how deep the water is on the approach and the grade.