So, first year trapping, and got asked to catch a couple of beaver who dammed up a creek running through an older gentleman's deer hunting woods. Tons of fox and coyote tracks in the fields, so hoping to set myself up for predator trapping next year with a bit of success this year. I only have a # 3 4 coil Bridger (offset) and a # 4 DLS Victor that are even close to beaver traps.

Our weather has been up and down all winter. Had good ice for a week, tried to set a feed pole under the ice - no takers. The lodge is right at the shoreline, with what I assume to be a feed pile right in front of it. NY law is traps have to be 15' away from the lodge, and 15' from a dam. Cannot mess with the dam unless property owner gets special blessings from the state.

I had the #3 set at the edge of the water with some scraped sticks right on shore and something snapped it and pulled it 3 or 4 feet into deeper water, but nothing kept. Was thinking of trying that again in another location with the # 4 and putting the #3 on a pole through the ice (if I can get out past the feed pile). Here are a couple of pics of the area.

Lodge and the creek flow. Feed pile is in front of the 3 trees.


Downstream toward the dam.


Any help would be appreciated. Only have 2 more weeks to trap.

Couple snarepoles around the feedpile should nail them.If the ice is sketchy you can use an aluminum ladder to walk on to distribute your weight.
If its mild and there is no ice,look for spots where the beaver are hauling out looking for fresh feed and make sets there.

Thanks Boco. Cant use snares here, but I'm thinking of a pole near the feed pile with fresh sticks and a trap on a platform right below it; and another set on the land like before with the DLS, except not in the same spot.

Wow look at all those channels and runs to block off with 330's

Probably be next year before I can buy any 330s. With 2 weeks left, my Top Secret Slush fund is empty and pretty sure it will be a hard sell to the Minister of Beauty and Finance for a few of them.

Be careful. I have gone swimming when walking on ice like a couple times. Not fun

Amen. I plan on seeing if I can fight my way through the ice rather than walking on top if possible. I'm too old to start a new Polar Bear Club!!!

Lol. Minister of Beauty and Finance. I like that. I have one of those too. She is just apart of my cabinet though as I am the President
Lolllllll

This is my Minister of Beauty and Finance
I’m a blessed President.

Otterdog I hate to be the one to tell you this but um well she is only humoring you with that president routine, lol .

A puppet presidency??

Golf ball and fireplug y’all may be right. Lol

They say, Happy wife = happy life. I personally believe a more true statement is, " If momma's not happy, NOBODY'S happy."

Next time say "no!" I used to rope myself into these "doing people a favor deals". They always were a money loser and disaster of some sort..

I rarely offer to help people I don't know. First year trapping, learning as I go thanks to the guys here on TM.

Besides, there are a ton of fox and coyote on his place, hope to get an invite to take those in the fall.

Made no promises, told him I was new.