In ponds, it can be tough. You can monitor crossovers, look for freshly chewed trees, chewed sticks around the edges, tracks, and any other ways you can think of. If you find tracks, wipe then clean so you can tell if they’re new. There’s a pond I’m currently dealing with that I reluctantly setup after finding numerous Coon traps set around it. I caught an adult female on the first night. The farmers Coon traps caught the male the next night but it escaped. He also lost several insufficiently staked footholds, in addition to another neighbor shooting nutes with thermals plus shooting nuisance blackbirds roosting in this pond. Did a beaver leave with those traps? Was it something else?


The dam hasn’t been repaired in weeks. I feel as though the male has died or moved on, but without an animal, sometimes questions can’t be answered. I’d rather be sure than wrong, but, at times, it’s not a clear line. I’m currently catching nuisance animals for said farmer, so I’m able to monitor the situation painlessly, but I’m telling you now that beaver, if he’s still alive isn’t a current issue.


It’s also a good example of how things can go sideways in a hurry with beaver control.

Thank Aix, I tore a small hole in the dam and I will check it in a week or two.

dam break is best way , no trap just let water go down ,

True, lotta variables.

26, wow. The most I've got at 1 spot is 12. Other times 2 solves the problem. It keeps things interesting.

I have been surprised before on the population of beaver in a pond/stream. Trapped a gravel pit ditch for the pit pump runoff 2 years ago. 10 feet wide, 60 yards long. Snared an adult day 1 and I thought it would be a pair. WRONG!! I caught 12 beaver and 1 day I found a dead one floating.
Other places have had multiple huge dams and yielded a pair.