Help me figure this out trappers. I'm trying to lure in beavers from an adjacent property to trap them. Can't trap on the other property where their lodge is.



Two months ago, I caught one in a snare downstream of dam 2.
A week ago, I caught one on a dam-break set at dam 2 after unplugging both dam 1 and 2. If I remember correctly, they repaired dam 1 the first night, and the second check, I had a beaver in my trap and a partially repaired dam 2.


So, some options are:

-Unplug only dam 2 with a dam-break set and wait for them to repair. I tried this, they seem content in their beaver pond upstream of dam 1 and didn't come downstream for several weeks.

-Unplug both dams and make dam-break set at dam 2, wait for repair (this is how I caught beaver #2). I tried this again, but beavers just rebuilt dam 1 and left dam 2 alone.


Now, in WI, the landowners upstream are liable for any damages occurring downstream - this post is not about taking legal action. I'm trying to figure out some crafty trapping tactics to take care of the problem without involving government. I am legally allowed to unplug dam 1, but not set traps there.

What would you try next? There's no time limit on this. I'm just trying to learn here and having fun while doing it (and pulling my hair out).

Easiest thing to do, if possible is to just block up the creek with 330s. Fencing can help this process. I've trapped places like this before and its a waiting game.

I’d make some good castor mound sets on drowners if possible, right next to and slightly downstream of dam 2, as well as snares in any runs or slides in that area. After catching 2-4 beaver there, and/or if I saw no more fresh sign in that area after a week, I’d move those sets up to just upstream of dam 2 to about halfway to the property line, and repeat as I did with the first group of sets, lastly moving the sets right up to the property line.

The older, wiser beavers are usually comfortable venturing farther from the house, where the younger they are the closer to home they stay. So you start farthest away from the house and work your way in. The goal is to catch the oldest beavers first, because if they see the younger beavers get caught they can become educated and avoid your sets, making them more difficult to catch later.

That’s just what I’d do, I’m no beaver ADC expert though.

Waiting game is right. The creek is easy enough to block with 330s in some spots - especially when I drain the beaver pond between the two dams. Then the creek is just a little meandering thing.

The problem though, is that dam 2 is really so close to the property border in reality, that it seems pointless. If they’re coming that far downstream, they’ll be right by dam 2 anyways.

I actually did have some 330s in the creek way downstream earlier, but the beaver never seemed to venture downstream. They’re content in their pond by the lodge. I do wonder if I hadn’t unplugged dam 1, would the beaver have even come to dam 2 for me to catch him?


Bob, both beaver I caught so far were quite large and far from the lodge as you predicted.

Make a fake trail set w/bait or any castor mound set will work

Rip the bottom dam out in the morning and go back in the evening with some buckshot and a 12 ga.
Just got 2 a couple hours ago just like that.

Not sure how you can legally open the dam upstream of your permission property without permission from the landowner to remove the beaver. I would open the lower dam and block down the channel and place sets between dam 1 and 2.

WI legislature 88.90(3)


“ Whenever any natural watercourse becomes obstructed through natural causes, the owner or occupant of any lands damaged by the effect which the obstruction has upon the flow of the water may go upon the land where the obstruction is located and remove it at that person's own expense. Such person is not guilty of trespass for entry upon the land but is liable for damage caused to crops or structures. The rights and privileges conferred by this subsection also extend to the agents or employees of the person causing the obstruction to be removed.”

Leave the top dam alone, Crack a hole in the second one. Do they cross over the second dam. It looks like a good setup. How wide is the creek? Set dive sets before your dam or baited sets.