Just like Mr Dobbins taught me.

But just like anyone who uses drags and doesn't want to trail anything anywhere, I PRE-HOOKED the drag.

Also, have 2 swivels in the first 2 foot of chain AND a shock spring,,,the SS is required by law if chain exceeds 8".

I was trapping a shallow creek for coon one year and came across some beaver sign were they were coming out on shore and eating branches. Not having a beaver trap with me I set a 1.5 coil and fenced it down to guide him into the trap. I used about 12 ft of wire and wired the trap off to a 3" limb of a big tree about head high. This acted like a fishing pole and as it was up high the beaver couldn't tangle up on anything. I ended up catching three beavers and an otter on my swing set. It wasn't a pretty set, but it worked slick, and iv'e used it on occasion when I couldn't drown them do to shallow water. I should add there wasn't much for brush for entanglement and that would be an important factor. If I recall one was caught by two toes on a back foot. Check em early

You hit that one on the nail.It is too easy for that to happened if the right trap is not set up right.Or use of the wrong trap.

Agreed, was thinking of smooth laminations or softcatch.

I'd avoid a softie in case that lil front foot goes in.......that flexibility and "give" may not hold well, especially if ya only gat a couple toes.

Lams could help.

I used my normal beaver traps, 4 coil Bridger 5's or 20 yr old CDR's.

I have caught four beaver in small footholds over the years. Two were in a 1.5 vic coil, one in a vic #11 long, the other in a vic #00 long. No escapes, no damage. My son caught one in a #1 NW coil.

I have had a lot of beaver surprise catches at coon sets near creeks over the years. Most were in #2 or #11 longs but some in 1.5 coils too.
These were in dirthole sets, or blind trail sets near creeks or ponds.
Some front foot catches, some rear foot catches, one by tail.
I short chain all of my traps and use lots of swivels. None were targets all surprise catches but was always pleased to see them still held at the set. I never thought to try this on purpose for beaver I usially made beaver specific sets if that was the case.
I can't rember how many beaver used to show up at my coon and mink pocket sets. Set for a mouse, stake for an elephant was what my uncle always taught me. Held a lot of beaver at coon and mink pockets by front foot in 1.5 coils and #11s or #2s. Some were really big beaver too.
Jim

The swiveling would have to be flawless. In the few I caught in coyote sets, the swiveling was plenty for a canine but ended poorly with beaver.