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Fun with beaver floats #6497722
03/22/19 08:11 AM
03/22/19 08:11 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Wisconsin
With the river way up I had an opportunity to do some experimenting with beaver floats recently. With most lodges mostly submerged and bank dens completely submerged the beaver were scattered about and resting where they could.

I cabled this float off to a tree back in a marsh and every time I paddled out to check on it there was a beaver resting on top of a 'rat hut watching me, not further than 15 yards from the tree I attached the float onto. As I approached he'd slink off the 'rat hut and disappear into the brush. And every time I checked the float I had a muskrat in the #330.

After four checks, and a muskrat each check, I was greeted with a castor mound adjacent to the float. Apparently the beaver was tiring of me playing games with changeups of lure and decided to let me know it was time to go away. That castor mound must've taken some work to build up, as there was at least three feet of water on top the island this tree was growing from.

You can see this new castor mound in the shadow of the tree between the canoe and the tree.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]



Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6497802
03/22/19 09:29 AM
03/22/19 09:29 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,942
central arkansas
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the Blak Spot Offline
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central arkansas
So the floats worked fairly well on the beaver? (judging by the ones in the canoe)


the just shall live by faith

member FTA, ATA, EAFT
1776 - the year we told a tyrant we weren't to be under a dictator
Caveat ater macula
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6497806
03/22/19 09:39 AM
03/22/19 09:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Wisconsin
They were about the only set that is working right now, unless you're working the very shoreline. It's WaterWorld.

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6497874
03/22/19 11:30 AM
03/22/19 11:30 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,226
rogers city mi.
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jeff karsten Offline
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jeff karsten  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,226
rogers city mi.
I like them water level not an issue sure gotta carry them stable water i'd just carry a 330 and lure not going to be this year


olden tyred
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6497885
03/22/19 11:54 AM
03/22/19 11:54 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178
Wisconsin
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The Beav Offline
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The Beav  Offline
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Wisconsin
Place some castor on the side of the tree and hang a snare tight to the tree. Beaver circles tree walaa beaver caught.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: The Beav] #6497930
03/22/19 01:05 PM
03/22/19 01:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Wisconsin
Originally Posted by The Beav
Place some castor on the side of the tree and hang a snare tight to the tree. Beaver circles tree walaa beaver caught.


Yea, that works, but not enough water to drown the beaver and it's dropping fast. If I can't drown 'em, I don't set 'em.

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6498457
03/22/19 10:01 PM
03/22/19 10:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
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traprjohn Offline
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Central NC
Your sposd to sometimes throw them a curve by putting mud pie on the float with castor lure. The floating castor mound set!


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Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6498554
03/23/19 05:30 AM
03/23/19 05:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
I've got both castor and poplar bud oil with the scraped willow chunks. Doggone 'rat kept getting in there.

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6498650
03/23/19 08:55 AM
03/23/19 08:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
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The Beav  Offline
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Wisconsin
Poplar bud oil Is a great rat lure. It's even better then Lennons rat all call.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6501278
03/25/19 10:37 PM
03/25/19 10:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 82
Buffalo, SD
Wanbli Offline
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Wanbli  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 82
Buffalo, SD
I remember seeing an article in FFG on how to make these floats. Does anyone remember which issue? I'll have to search for my back copy and get to work on making a few. I hadn't thought about how useful they would be in the flooded streams and rivers we have this spring.


"There is value in any experience that reminds us of our dependency on the soil-plant-animal-man food chain" Aldo Leopold
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6501440
03/26/19 07:37 AM
03/26/19 07:37 AM
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 248
Nova Scotia, Canada
scotiantrapper Offline
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Nova Scotia, Canada
What’s your dimensions on those Muskrat? I have a few places I’d like to try these at

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6501669
03/26/19 11:17 AM
03/26/19 11:17 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Wisconsin
Those are 2"x4"s, though they don't measure 2" by 4" exactly, not sure if this is a standard up there in Nova Scotia or not. They measure 1 1/2" by 3 1/2", and we call 'em 2x4s.

Anyway, for the Canadians, these 2x4s (3.8 cm x 8.9 cm) are 76 cm long and the outside measurement from outside tip to tip of the 2x4s is 56.5 cm. That outside measure is what I get by spreading the 2x4s apart and snugging that Belisle #330 in there. Might differ on other breeds of traps.

I believe the archives also contain info on beaver floats.

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6501753
03/26/19 12:28 PM
03/26/19 12:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178
Wisconsin
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The Beav Offline
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The Beav  Offline
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Wisconsin
Incorporate a H stand on your float and your good to go.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6501755
03/26/19 12:34 PM
03/26/19 12:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 46,889
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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james bay frontierOnt.
I have seen a set where a bodygrip trap was set on poles to rise and fall with the water by using a couple of 1ltr plastic pop bottles tied to the spring eyes.A swim thru set.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6501758
03/26/19 12:38 PM
03/26/19 12:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178
Wisconsin
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The Beav Offline
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Wisconsin
Or they could just cut a slot In each 2x4 and slide the springs In.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Boco] #6501795
03/26/19 01:32 PM
03/26/19 01:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Boco
I have seen a set where a bodygrip trap was set on poles to rise and fall with the water by using a couple of 1ltr plastic pop bottles tied to the spring eyes.A swim thru set.


Hmmmmm . . . . .

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6503625
03/28/19 02:03 PM
03/28/19 02:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 481
Northern MN
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MN4Life Offline
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Northern MN


2020-2021 Goals
57/75 Beaver
15/100 Muskrats
3/1 Fox
0/4 Otter
0/1 Bobcat
5/1 Coyote
0/1 Marten
1/3Mink




Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6505370
03/30/19 09:22 AM
03/30/19 09:22 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,223
Rochester, MN
Teacher Offline
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Rochester, MN
To avoid rats, try forming a “T” with the trigger wires and put trigger on bottom. Submerge trap so only 2-3 inches are above water.


Never too old to learn
Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: Muskrat] #6507194
03/31/19 11:45 PM
03/31/19 11:45 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,692
Meridian, Idaho
10bands Offline
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10bands  Offline
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Posts: 2,692
Meridian, Idaho
I had lots of rat catches on my beaver float too. I pointed both trigger wires straight up and slid a reed over them to make them obvious to a muskrat and moved them way over to one side. Then I started catching beaver instead of muskrats.

For dimensions just lay your 330 on the ground and build a triangle of wood to fit.

The most productive method I've found for using mine is when I have beaver activity in an area with lots of reeds/cattails but no decent bank to make a traditional set. In that case I make a castor mound on the back of the float and then shove it into the reeds until the trap is about flush with reed wall. Usually anchor it with a cinder block.

I've also had success using it in open water but shoving it back in the reeds works great.

Re: Fun with beaver floats [Re: 10bands] #6507273
04/01/19 06:48 AM
04/01/19 06:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline OP
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Muskrat  Offline OP
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Wisconsin
Originally Posted by 10bands
I had lots of rat catches on my beaver float too. I pointed both trigger wires straight up and slid a reed over them to make them obvious to a muskrat and moved them way over to one side. Then I started catching beaver instead of muskrats. . . .


And hmmmmm . . . . again.

And THAT was worth the price of admission.



Last edited by Muskrat; 04/01/19 06:49 AM.
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