Hello All,

This is a first for me. A wet pasture is a swamp that was drained with a series of ditches. The ditches are in a grid. They used it for their cattle. (back in early 1920's)??

Now, it is a beaver haven.

The area I am trapping is about 4 acres but, it is dangerous as heck.

The water in the ditch may be a foot deep then the next step it is over your head. The ditches are not very wide but, the beavers have cut channels linking one drainage ditch to the next. The weeds are over my head. You can't see the beaver channels because the weeds are so thick.

I had 10 traps out and caught two beavers today. One was at the dam the other was on the backside of the four acres (close to the lodge.)

I want to set it heavy but, I don't want to break a leg or worse trying to find places to set traps.

Should I just focus on the dam?

Thanks

the beaver will periodically patrol the dam. . Be safe however you do it .

Do not go to the beaver, Make them come to you!!
Rule # 1
A few well placed productive sets are worth more than 100 worthless ones!!
Rule # 2
NEVER break RULE # 1 !!!

Dave

Dave, I am certain that your beaver trapping rules are First-Rate. Fortunately for me, they don't pertain and I will be happy to explain why.

All of our beaver came up the Fox river from Illinois. ( This part is true ) These are referred to everywhere as Obama beaver. ( Well, maybe not everywhere ) These animals are so easy to catch that we are hoping that they eventually go extinct. ( We can always hope, right? )

One of our favorite sets is the ever popular "Muslim on a stick."

Set it from a canoe or kayak if possible. When you say weeds are over your head what do you mean? If you know there are runs use a retractable fiberglass pole and feel for the pinch points and set them with 330s or snares with dive sticks. I have always had good luck with footholds at the corners of the dam with lots of eye appeal and a curiosity lure on one side and only eye appeal on the other.

Paul,
You got me, I was referring to walking blind in to a unknown over grown pasture.
You are right, some times you have to go knock on there door.

In his case, He may never reach the door with out a broken leg or falling on a beaver pungy stick. If the ditches are to small or not enough water for a canoe or kayak, Fall back on rule #1.

Thanks
Dave

I would suggest a 12 ft sportspal plus a good wading stick when walking blind