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Make a bottom by pushing some sticks into the top side of the dam so they are level and create a platform then put a chunk of sod on top to help bed your trap in. Make your platform about 16'' deep if you don't like the sod idea- make it deeper if you use the sod. Make it just big enough for your trap to set right where it's back feet will be. OR make it about 10'' deep and set it so a beaver moves right between the jaws and add a few poke sticks that are aimed right at it's eyes so it has to try to walk.
I have better luck setting the crossovers and leave the dam alone.
You might look at Black Widow trap stands - Sarah from SheTraps sells them on her website. I bought a couple to try out and can only attest to them holding my MB750 traps solid, but they do list the Bridger #5 as a trap the stand will work with. Works by sandwiching the trap frame between the support rods and pushing the legs of the stand into the dam/bank if using horizontal on a steep drop off situation. I'm planning on fixturing these stands to a pole and using them as under ice platform sets.
Good ideas so far. You could carry a short piece of thin fence board if it’s a common issue for you. Push it into the muck, place trap, and then push mud up all around it, especially under the leading edge. Leaving a void under the leading edge will make the trap prone to tipping. The piece of board/plywood provides increased surface area to keep it from sinking.
The same can be accomplished using sticks from the dam, but bringing in a small piece of fence board or plywood would let you get right to it. $2 worth of fence board would make 10 or so. Just an idea...I usually try packing the soil the best I can, although I have seen soil that needs a different approach.
The gist of Lafforthun's idea is a tray that the beaver footholds sit in. Eliminates bedding in soft bottom. Works very well. His video shows many ways to support and use the trays. I use em at dam breaks, mounds and crawlouts unless I have a sandy firm bottom.
I dont want to post pics because it is his idea...not mine...and he has a detailed video available on the idea.
Amd...they work great. Rarely any fired footholds...unless a beaver in it.
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It may work for some, but I didn't have good success positioning the trap so that the beaver steps over the jaws. I had too many fired and empty traps, or toenails, because the beaver's back foot was on the jaw and the pan at the same time. The jaw then throws the foot up and out, or almost out. That's why I position my traps 90 degrees different than what was shown in the video. The beaver steps between the jaws, and there's less chance of the foot being thrown up and out. Sure, the foot could still be on the jaw and pan, but the foot will turn as it's being pushed up and will still get a decent hold.
For a front foot catch, it should work, but I've had too many traps set for a front foot catch that ended up with a hind foot catch.