I know it's been discussed before and the general consensus is to use 330s for beaver. This will be my 1st year targeting beaver, and need some advice.

Where I live, no open otter season. The DEC rules state that a 330 must have the triggers wired together, cut to 6" long maximum, and moved to one side so there is at least an 8" gap between the trap and trigger on one side.

If you use a 280, those rules dont apply. If triggers are moved, you are making a 280 sized gap, so is it more logical to use a 280?

I've asked for a ruling on the MB 1216, since trigger in the middle gives you 8" on either side, but no response yet.

Thanks!

I trap an area where I can't keep otters but they want the beaver gone. I have used every trigger configuration imaginable with 330s and if there are a lot of otter around you will end up catching some no matter what. With a 280 with the trigger in a normal configuration you are going to catch a bunch of otter if they are around. I have even caught muskrats and mink in 330s with the triggers wired and pushed to the side. Doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Where you set will have more bearing on missing otter than anything else. For beaver trapping only I prefer the 330 as it is a bigger hole for the beaver to go through. A 280 will catch them, but I only set them for beaver if it is a really tight spot. I own a bunch of both, but the 280s get set where an otter is the target 90% of the time.

Thanks for your thoughts, Anthony !

Anthony has it perfectly summed up. 280’s kill beaver just as well as 330’s and they also catch way more mink and rats too. But the 280 is set in a tight spot to catch whatever comes through that tight spot

330 a bigger opening for the big adult beaver.

Found a great deal on some Duke 330's at a local farm store. Guess my choice is made! Thanks for the insight!