Fun with beaver floats
#6497722
03/22/19 08:11 AM
03/22/19 08:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623 Wisconsin
Muskrat
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OP
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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.
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6497802
03/22/19 09:29 AM
03/22/19 09:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,942 central arkansas
the Blak Spot
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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
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6497874
03/22/19 11:30 AM
03/22/19 11:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,226 rogers city mi.
jeff karsten
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rogers city mi.
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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
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6497885
03/22/19 11:54 AM
03/22/19 11:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178 Wisconsin
The Beav
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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
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: The Beav]
#6497930
03/22/19 01:05 PM
03/22/19 01:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623 Wisconsin
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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.
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6498650
03/23/19 08:55 AM
03/23/19 08:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178 Wisconsin
The Beav
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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
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6501278
03/25/19 10:37 PM
03/25/19 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 82 Buffalo, SD
Wanbli
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Buffalo, SD
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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
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6501753
03/26/19 12:28 PM
03/26/19 12:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178 Wisconsin
The Beav
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Wisconsin
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Incorporate a H stand on your float and your good to go.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6501755
03/26/19 12:34 PM
03/26/19 12:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 46,889 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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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.
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6501758
03/26/19 12:38 PM
03/26/19 12:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,178 Wisconsin
The Beav
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Wisconsin
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Or they could just cut a slot In each 2x4 and slide the springs In.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Boco]
#6501795
03/26/19 01:32 PM
03/26/19 01:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623 Wisconsin
Muskrat
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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 . . . . .
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: Muskrat]
#6505370
03/30/19 09:22 AM
03/30/19 09:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,223 Rochester, MN
Teacher
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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
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Re: Fun with beaver floats
[Re: 10bands]
#6507273
04/01/19 06:48 AM
04/01/19 06:48 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,623 Wisconsin
Muskrat
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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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