What are the guidelines you follow when you are collecting meat along with the fur? I have heard some recipes for beaver and some other fur bearers but I’m having a hard time when the animal is dead (drowning or conibear) talking myself into trying it if it is in a lake and I don’t know how long it has been there. Any recommendations or comforting advice lol.

In your case, I'd probably snare or long chain foothold the beaver and only the ones that you have to dispatch if you want to be extra cautious.

What do you mean by not sure how long it's been there? Over night in cold water?
If that's the case, I wouldn't be too concerned.

I don't know if they have cold water in Alabama. Lol

No not typically we don’t and check every 24 hours here too. Cold here is low 40s during day

Here in PA we have every day check law. Have had no problem eating them. In south as long as it has not been laying dead in shallow water in the sun it should be fine. After skinning a sniff test will tell ya everything

Thanks PA.