Will a #4 cs 4x offset hold a beaver by the front leg

Probably but I’d be a little concerned with offset jaws AND front foot.

And I'd be a bit worried about having a wring off with that big of a trap.

Which #4 ?

Swivel, swivel, swivel and drown

Don't forget pan tension.... I have got a lot of beaver with #3 bridger and #4 Montgomery, with offset jaws. I like more tension, grabs them a bit higher. Works great for downers or the long chain method.

Duke's #4 offset 4x4s

I guess It can be done. But your going to need to have that beaver actually walking to get a good high catch. I have caught a lot of beaver by a front foot but not In any offset jawed trap. I either laid a decent sized stick for them to step over or built a mud berm to get them walking. I never did see where the those breasting sticks were worth the effort.

Growing up all I had to use for beaver besides a 330 was Victor #3 or #4 jump trap. I caught a bunch in them. But had snap traps also. U will never know until u try it. But I wouldn't use a offset jaws. But that's me. I went to brigder #5 coil and dls.

Before we had beaver traps we used what ever we had we just welded In a bunch of fence staples for teeth. Worked great but just don't get your hand In one.

Have caught plenty of beaver over the years with #4 offset dukes. That’s all the bigger we are aloud here in PA no problems with them. I target the front foot mainly, takes less water to drown them with a drowner. Also number 3 dukes with better chain worked really well holding beaver. Easier to set over the leg too with no center swivel to dig into leg with.

If I have enough water for front foot drowning, I will set for whichever is best in the situation. If I get a front foot, they are DOA. If I get a rear foot it doesn’t matter what they do, they aren’t going anywhere. They might be DOA, they might be swimming, they might be hung up on shore, it just doesn’t matter, if it’s a back foot they are waiting. All of that said, I use CDR’s so I can’t say if that’s true for smaller traps.

Paul taught me to NEVER use offsets for beaver
the ONE time you'd a had one caught by 1 or 2 toes, you'll have an empty trap.
Go with regular jaws.

Yes, IF you can get a good grip on them. Dale Billingsley catches hundreds of them a year in similar traps, (Bridger 3 and high lever #3 Montgomerys) with long chains. Look up his beaver video it'll change the way you have always thought you were supposed to trap beaver.

I agree ADC.... Dale is the one that taught me that many years ago. I've had great success that way.

If you can use close jawed traps they are far superior for beaver, save the offset jaws for land critters. Every beaver I've ever caught in a foothold was in a #3 or #4, mostly longsprings but coils or jumps will work, just remember a jump is somewhat directional. Like Beav I used to weld or brase fence staples on them, but only do that if teethed traps are legal in your area.

I've front footed hundreds of beaver, as long as you drown them you won't have a problem, and you need a lot less water than you would with a hind foot catch.

Definitely maybe, if all the stars are aligned.

For beaver the bigger the trap the better the higher you can catch them on the leg the less likely they will wring off same applies to muskrat trapping