No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers ***NO POLITICS
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting~The Pen and Quill

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum~ Fermenter's Forum


~~~ Dobbins' Products Catalog ~~~


Minnesota Trapline Products
Please support our sponsor for the Trappers Talk Page - Minnesota Trapline Products


Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Brand New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? #6723060
01/10/20 01:47 AM
01/10/20 01:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
OR
P
pyrojake Offline OP
trapper
pyrojake  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
OR
Hi all, first post here. I just started trapping this year and I know next to nothing. Made my first beaver sets last night and checked them to find disappointment this morning. This set was a Bridger #5 set on a drowning cable with a castor mound. I found my trap twisted up in my drowning cable and it had only slid about a foot down the line. I’m guessing once the twist in the cable happened, the beaver was able to slip free. I have a swivel at both ends of the cable and both ends of the trap chain. Staled at the top and attached to a cinder block at the bottom. The castor mound had been torn apart as well. I’m just trying to paint a picture in my head of what happened and what I can do differently.

9F123F5C-E303-4E8F-8AE9-3BEF25080F05.jpeg
Last edited by pyrojake; 01/11/20 04:42 PM.
Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723063
01/10/20 01:51 AM
01/10/20 01:51 AM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Is this on public land and how visible was your set to human eyes? I only ask that as I have some Bridger #5s for beaver and there's no "slipping out" of them once a beaver puts its foot in one. Even if you just got a toe you would have a nail in the trap or something. My first inclination is that someone tripped your trap and stepped on your mound. But I could be wrong and hope I am.

Last edited by Wild_Idaho; 01/10/20 01:53 AM.

Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723101
01/10/20 06:58 AM
01/10/20 06:58 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
T
Trapper Dahlgren Offline
trapper
Trapper Dahlgren  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
did you have your drown wire tight ?

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723111
01/10/20 07:03 AM
01/10/20 07:03 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper Offline
"Chippendale Trapper"
HobbieTrapper  Offline
"Chippendale Trapper"

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
Not offset enough and it grabbed the beaver by the belly hair?

I don’t see a poke stick, beaver came hard and fast, “beached” and kicked trap with back foot rolling it out of the bed, firing the trap and causing it to slide down the cable and then hitting it again when it left giving the twist in the cable?




Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 01/10/20 07:04 AM.

-Goofy-
Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: Trapper Dahlgren] #6723114
01/10/20 07:07 AM
01/10/20 07:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,165
Eau Claire Wi
Trap Setter Offline
trapper
Trap Setter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,165
Eau Claire Wi
Originally Posted by Trapper Dahlgren
did you have your drown wire tight ?



My thought as well sounds like a loose cable. Also I wouldn't worry about swivels on the cable just one at the trap one in the middle of the trap chain and one attaching trap to cable. The cable should be tight so no need to swivel it. Dont het discouraged you were in the right place at the right time with the right set and lure but it was his lucky day. Keep at it.

Last edited by Trap Setter; 01/10/20 07:08 AM.

Life sure is tough when you don't learn from the mistakes of others.
Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723121
01/10/20 07:18 AM
01/10/20 07:18 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879
Central MN, sort of old
MnMan Offline
trapper
MnMan  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,879
Central MN, sort of old
Cinder block may not have been enough weight at the bottom end. Beaver could have pulled sideways at first sliding the block enough to create the slack in the cable which caused most of your problems. Bad luck because you made the proper efforts to do it all correctly. Good luck in the future....don't get discouraged.


I'm just happy to be here! Today I'm as young as I'll ever be and and older than I've ever been before!
Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723126
01/10/20 07:27 AM
01/10/20 07:27 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
E
Eagleye Offline
trapper
Eagleye  Offline
trapper
E

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
Tight slide wire as stated, I always position my #5's with the dog at the 3 o'clock position and offset about 4"-5". I try to target a back foot catch but not opposed to front foot catch in shallow water if the beaver is walking. Try to envision that the beaver's chest will hit the bank or guide stick and then he will drop his back feet, for a back foot target I'm probably elbow deep and offset by that 5". Don't get discouraged- there are a lot of variables

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723133
01/10/20 07:34 AM
01/10/20 07:34 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 882
pennsylvania
R
rick brocious Offline
trapper
rick brocious  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 882
pennsylvania
Are you sure your drowning lock was positioned so it would slide down the cable ? Also possible it got breasted .

Last edited by rick brocious; 01/10/20 07:34 AM.
Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723193
01/10/20 09:08 AM
01/10/20 09:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,452
MN
W
walleye101 Offline
trapper
walleye101  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,452
MN
Cinder blocks are not the best choice for drowner weights. They seem heavy out of the water but because of their bulk are not very dense making them lighter when submerged. Fairly easy for a beaver to move enough to get some slack in the cable.

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: walleye101] #6723235
01/10/20 09:48 AM
01/10/20 09:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,717
Maine
M
Mac Offline
trapper
Mac  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,717
Maine
Lots of pertinent comments. while on the surface beaver trapping seems somewhat simple, there is a lot to it. There is also a lot that can go wrong.
Question that come to mind (may have been mentioned above) are"
*How was the trap positioned, located, and bedded?
Was it off set? Was it running with the jaws running the correct way?
*Did you force the beaver to step down when you wanted it to?
*Were you targeting front or back foot?
*Was your drowner positioned to function properly?
*Did you guide the beaver over the trap?

The list could go on.
It would probably be of benefit to get some education. Lots of decent books and DVDs available on trapping beaver.
Educations costs you. You will pay one way or the other. Learning from others is less costly and less painful as a general rule.



Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723245
01/10/20 09:59 AM
01/10/20 09:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
Sometimes beaver just refuse to go down the wire or rod. I've had two beaver refuse this year on drowning rods.

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723255
01/10/20 10:06 AM
01/10/20 10:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
Try again....don't give up.

Make sure your deep end weight is heavy enough...I quit using cinder blocks in 87' . Cable had to be tight or the slid can bind easily. Also as mentioned above ^, the slide lovk could have been put on backwards- it happens.

The trap bed should be made so as the beaver motors up to the trap It's chest makes contact with the front bed wall, or poke sticks. The beaver plants its feet down over the pan then and bam....when it dives that trip down needs to be smooth and clear of tangle so it goes down quick.

I used cable for a while when I was new into trapping...but it gets kinked and ruined. Chain worked better for me as did feed sack filled at location with sand or better yet rocks if Available. Toss out the sac and tighten line, stake next to the bed position trap, set trap ...push in poinyt chew sticks in front of front jaw. Add lure....next time with that beaver you could just make mud mound and pit a couple white chew sticks on top for attraction...no lure.

Last edited by 330-Trapper; 01/10/20 10:18 AM.

NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: 330-Trapper] #6723362
01/10/20 11:40 AM
01/10/20 11:40 AM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
OR
P
pyrojake Offline OP
trapper
pyrojake  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
OR
Thanks for all the advice guys, heck of a learning curve for all this. I’ve got a couple books coming in the mail. The trap was offset a little, maybe 2-3” with the dog at 3 o’clock. Sounds like maybe more offset was needed, add some poke sticks and tighten up the cable. I double checked the slider direction and it was on correctly.

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723406
01/10/20 12:24 PM
01/10/20 12:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
Originally Posted by pyrojake
Thanks for all the advice guys, heck of a learning curve for all this. I’ve got a couple books coming in the mail. The trap was offset a little, maybe 2-3” with the dog at 3 o’clock. Sounds like maybe more offset was needed, add some poke sticks and tighten up the cable. I double checked the slider direction and it was on correctly.

Well once you get it down...youll start naili g them regular!

At least you are taking the advive to heart. If uour cable kinks...change it out and keep that lint smooth and tight.

I use chain Now If Im using a drowning weight. The 10' fiberglass slide rods are what I grab first though. Light and easy to carry in.

Pick up the floating white peeled sticks you find , keep a few of them in your wader pocket or packbasket/ sled etc...where the new floating sticks appear in the next few days show you good trap locations.


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723815
01/10/20 07:14 PM
01/10/20 07:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,004
Oregon
beaverpeeler Online content
trapper
beaverpeeler  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,004
Oregon
Don't worry man, I've been beaver trapping for over 40 years and I still get sprung traps with nothing in them sometimes.

Lot's of darn good advice already given, but chief among them is you gotta make that beaver step on the pan. When they come into a set swimming their front feet are often tucked up on the belly. It needs to hit something with its chest and make it take a step. Also make sure that trap is firmed into the mud as much as possible.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6723926
01/10/20 08:35 PM
01/10/20 08:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,493
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Paul Dobbins Offline
"Trapperman custodian"
Paul Dobbins  Offline
"Trapperman custodian"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,493
Goldsboro, North Carolina
I don't believe the beaver breasted the trap. I don't believe a beaver caught by it's chest hairs is going to tangle up the cable that way. I'm figuring the cable had slack in it. If the beaver had been caught by the tail, it could have pulled out when the trap got tangled in the cable. Just a guess, but that's the way I'd figure it.



Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6724206
01/11/20 12:46 AM
01/11/20 12:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7,631
Virginia
5
52Carl Offline
trapper
52Carl  Offline
trapper
5

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7,631
Virginia
I hate beavers.
Hope that helps. smile

Re: Breaks New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: 52Carl] #6724222
01/11/20 01:08 AM
01/11/20 01:08 AM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6,635
Wabash, IN USA
Flipper 56 Offline
trapper
Flipper 56  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6,635
Wabash, IN USA
Originally Posted by 52Carl
I hate beavers.
Hope that helps. smile

grin


"Where Can A Man Find Bear Beaver And Other Critters Worth Cash Money When Skinned?"

Re: Brand New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6724906
01/11/20 04:46 PM
01/11/20 04:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
OR
P
pyrojake Offline OP
trapper
pyrojake  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
OR
Not the set in question but I found some success this morning. First beaver!! Thanks for all the help guys.

7BB02DBC-7BCD-485D-B667-301CB1AD0FA6.jpeg
Re: Brand New Beaver Trapper- What did I do wrong? [Re: pyrojake] #6724968
01/11/20 06:07 PM
01/11/20 06:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
H
Hutchy Offline
trapper
Hutchy  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
What did you do wrong?

You started beaver trapping!

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread