Like many others on this forum I never trapped beaver even though I am closing in on retirement age. Soooo, I decided after ending coyote season I'd give it a try. Illinois season, like others goes until March 31st. Also at the same time is otter and an extended mink and muskrat season with some separate regulations on state land, where I would mostly be trapping. Only 10" body grippers on state land for beaver. I set my 4 330's in the local canal that has a decent amount of beaver and otter sign. Drawback is no vehicle access, only on foot. All four sets were at cross overs from one side to the other where animals entered or exited the water. Second day check I had my first otter. Perfect suitcase catch going from the outside drainage ditch down the bank into the canal. Yes I was excited. Two days later, same set,a beaver of about 35 lbs. Then things went cold.
I managed to get permission from a local farmer to trap a drainage ditch (about 2 feet wide) running from the canal to the river to the north, maybe a half mile as the crow flies, one mile with all the twists and turns. First day a muskrat. Two days later a mink. Two more mink in the next several days, and then before a heavy rain my second otter. All these were caught in 220's (private land). I kept looking for a more promising beaver area and a few miles away found a beaver pond next to the canal. I moved some traps, first day at a mound set a big female, maybe 55-60 lbs. There would be 7 more beaver, all smaller from one kit to the rest about 30-40 lbs. 5 in the canal at cross overs or bait sets using peeled sticks and castor sacks as lure. The last day produced beaver number 10 and a snapping turtle in a 330. I made sure he was NOT alive when I took him out of the trap.
Now, for all you dedicated beaver trappers, my hat is off to you. This is a lot more work than canine trapping in my opinion. I'll be contacting Grony about bringing my fur to the main office (about 1-1/2hrs from where I live). They can flesh them. I'll be curious what the otters will bring.
Boco, and the rest of the people that post pics and give great advice on this website, thanks for keeping all of us waiting for the next post.
