I'm getting more and more land to trap every year from farmers since less and less people are trapping in my area and some of the creeks are a ways in and I'm trying to reduce the amount of iron I carry in for beaver trapping so I'm trying to get better at snaring I'm just having a hard time thinking of open water snare sets was wondering what you snaremen would recommend? In Illinois we are to have half of the snare loop under water at all times so that is part of my issue can't make trail sets

If its too far to carry traps back there, then its too far to carry beaver out.

I played around with snares on drowners for a while to eliminate weight. The catches still need to be carried out though

Some on here say they attach snares to a floating log, but I'm not sure how they make that work.

A castor pole or tree set. Find a good tree hang a snare on each side. Half out of water. Put castor above. Beavers will swim around looking for other beaver get caught in snare.

What bobcat said. Just smear castor on the side of the tree. I don't worry about how high. I am trying to get them to swim around until they finally go through the snare. I find a place where there are 2 trees with just enough room for a beaver to swim between and set the snare there. I then smear the castor on either one of those trees or one very nearby.
I do this with 330s as well. The benefit of this method is that the beaver's focus in on the castor which it cannot find, and not the equipment.

I have had good success using the Bossman's Beaver Plus as the lure on the tree in those type sets.

chains attached to log, snares on drowner locks

I have some 5/8 5ft kill poles rigged up with 2 snares. No trees in water. This will be my first attempt at it with rebar.

So that is how it works, brisket...I've been trying to figure out how to do the floating log set, more about it, & how effective it is

Use snares the same sets you use 330s. I want them swimming, so if it’s shallow, I scoop some mud out to make sure they’ll be swimming.


Set them in runs, places they’re leaving water, guarding castor, etc etc. Anchor it well, and anchor it so that it can’t be defeated by chewing.

Aix has good write ups on making his floating torpedo set on here. Do a search for torpedo.

Lots of good suggestions given. Beaver are easy to snare as they have no problem going through tight spots. After having a bunch of MB750’s and 330’s stolen I went to snares. I put a lot on sliders when conditions are right

As far haveing to carry a beaver out. Simply carry a knife in and bank skin them. Only takes a few minutes and will save your arms and back if you have a long hike.

This it’s only limited by your imagination