I’m planning on setting for some beaver, but I’m limited on my traps. I have a couple MB-650’s offsets. While I know it’s not optimal size, especially for a back foot, are they okay being offset? Thanks

If that's what you have go ahead and set them. They will be alright most of the time.

Just buy Beaver Traps...my answer would be NO

My answer is NO also. You are going to lose some and possibly make them trap shy.

Toe caught beaver will be gone. "IF" you get a good High hold on a front foot or a hind foot they will most likely hold them.

Set for front foot only!

25 years into Trapping Beaver....I wS given the Video/DVD teachers of the Night (I believe Clint Locklears) it will show you How many ways Beaver will work a Set. Setting for front foot will work a certain percent of the time...make you wonder what happened at others and Educate more beaver than you Realize. The Reason Beavermen will tell you Buy Beaver Traps

It's a good thing some one gave It to you.
I have yet to see anyone place the bait stick In front of the trap. No one places a 330 in the vertical potion In a steep pull out. I could go on.

If the guy has them you just have to learn to get It done with what you have. But He does need to get some real beaver traps. I would suggest MB750s

I wouldn’t set them. Years ago I had a becoming trapped come to me with questions why he was missing beaver. He had offset beaver traps. He came into some laminated footholds and was amazed how much better he was doing after.

Slide them and drown them

Still won't hold the beaver by the toes.

I understand the best thing to do is to go buy a couple dozen new Belisle 330’s, along with a couple dozen new beaver MB-750’s. I don’t have $500 to drop on my new found weekend hobby that I would like to do more of in the future (instead of all canine trapping). Hense, my question to try and work with what I got. The answer is clear to me, that it’s not the best trap for the job, I may even lose a toe catch, however it can work.

I will add, I have some beaver only traps, just not a lot. I plan on adding some, but this question was asked to see if my 650’s that I have for coyote would be okay to set as well, or if I’m just waisting my time

Same Question every season...at the end of the replies by veteran trappers. The same old reasoning. Have at it.

MB's aren't the only traps out there. A lot cheaper, and better than offset 650's:

https://www.minntrapprod.com/Duke-4-CS-Regular-Jaw-4X4/productinfo/D4R4/

Never said the Mans sets were made well...what I did bring up is- the actions of different beaver and how the intended set was Worked in an unintended way. Most times the Animal will teach us more than the "manual shows"

what 330 said

Do it right, or don’t do it at all. You are working with living creatures. Respect the animals enough to use the best trap set in a manner to result in a quick humane kill. If you don’t have the correct gear, then don’t do it. You would be inviting problems.

You do not need to take any extreme, either using inappropriate traps or spending $500. You could buy one MB750 and one 330. You also need to anchor those traps properly. Or try appropriately sized, constructed, and anchored snares.

Or, look for a trapper in the area with the proper gear and experience who might be willing to sell you some lessons.

Or, trade surplus traps for suitable traps.

Or, sell something to raise the money to buy suitable traps.

Or, just don’t trap the beavers and leave them alone. You are not obligated to trap them.

If you want to trap beavers you need to learn to be resourceful - that is a big part of trapping.

You can catch beaver consistently with 1 1/2 coilsprings, closed jaw. You are just limited in what sets you make. Keep this in mind and I'm sure the 650's will work just fine.

But If a newbe viewed that flick he would be doomed to failure. A little narration as to why would have been beneficial.

I'm a canine trapper. Never messed much with beaver until a few years ago when a friend asked me to trap some for him. We are very limited to the number of body-grippers we can use here in PA and the only foot traps I had that were big enough were Northwoods # 3 offsets. They are about the same jaw spread and offset (1/4") as your MB 650's.

I used them on drowners. I missed a few, two I think, where the trap was fired and pulled partway down the drowning cable. But I caught a bunch more with them.

Like everybody has said, not the ideal beaver trap. But if that's what you have available, use them. If you find you enjoy beaver trapping, gear up with more appropriate traps next season.

So what if you miss a few, it ain't the end of the world.