from my observation those crop fed beavers tend to over populate

Jealous, my season is a month away. Post sum set pic when u connect with the fur.

Same Here

Tomorrow is my 1st check. I'll try to get more pics. They've made that creek so deep in some spots it's crazy. I only got 5 sets out the other day.

Yeah. I really have no idea how many to expect. I'm hoping to do well right away and catch 'em b4 they get spooky. Also, I'm hoping muskrats don't sneak through my 330s before the beavers. I think I may hang some snares from shore in the spots that are too deep to walk. You all think I should leave the top of the loop slighly above water so they dive through the snare?

I would leave 1/3 of the loop out of the water jus my .02

That's what I was thinking Mississippi.

The rain here has been relentless, & continues in the forecast. It's adding another element to this task.
Here's my 1st check results. I only had 5 traps out. The muskrat was in a 280.

In my neck of the woods the beaver love to harvest corn. Mainly for quick dam construction but I have seen some many,many feed beds with corn stalks. Ours are mostly bank den beaver. And for snares I usually hang them 1/3 out of water too.

So with the WI season opening in a couple weeks how does the fur look on those?

Nice start

Actually, I was pleasantly surprised.

Picture from yesterday. Check out the ~20' long 'dike' they've constructed along the farmers field road, to keep the water ponded up in the corn. It doesn't help that it keeps raining buckets here, & much more is in the forecast. Combine the rain with beaver activity, & the township had to remove the dam at this culvert today. There's still a dam ~40 yards downstream. I don't know what to expect this weekend. The h20 got so hi that the town is also worried about muskrats burrowing under the road.

Lol, I think you're right. The farmer called me this afternoon, said he can see a beaver in the same trap I got the 1st 1 in. He's excited. Me too I guess. I'll be back at it this weekend checking the other 4 traps. He poked a hole in the lower dam. I'll know if they're still active. This has turned into a very interesting call. Now their town guy called, wants me to get some muskrats that might be burrowing under the road. I was hoping this would lead to bigger things.

Well I've gotten 4 beavers there so far. None have been real big though. I reset again today. The farmer was happy as they don't seem to be rebuilding either dam now, and the farmer was able to pick his corn today.

Well done! Congrats.

We had a huge rainstorm last night and it must have put the beaver on the move. I snared this 53 pounder 5' from where I got the other 4. The farmer was as excited as me. There had been no sign for over 2 weeks but I figured I hadn't gottem them all. This hog was a corn eater I think.

Nice, good job!

Awesome

My experience with beaver and cornstalks is similar. They use it in dams and feed piles. Yet, after it’s been in the water for 2-3 weeks it loses its food value according to our DNR wildlife specialists. I’ve taken beaver thru the ice in January that we’re full of cornstalk yet had no fat on their bodies.

I use 280s and 330s in the wet trails where they enter/ exit the fields. Dry set snares work closer to the farm field entrance. The owner of Ztrap makes a beaver cage trap that works and it’s super affordable compared to Hancock traps.

The muskrats REALLY seem to like this ag spot too.