How long ago was this picture of you squating in front of 2 beaver on the white fur bag? You sure look younger (good) - what is your secret? .......................... the mike

For me, it’s usually about 10” but I’ll use 12” loops if I can set them 1/3 submerged. My loops get smaller if I have to set a tight trail or deeper in the water.


As you know, beaver range anywhere from very small to huge, so I like to keep the loop a little smaller if I’m setting a snare deeper because I don’t want the smaller ones swimming through.


Some people like setting 8”. I like loops a little larger as long as the cable is loaded.

Excellent thread Aix! Lots of great info on the mechanics of successful beaver snaring in the water or on dry land.

I will 2nd the approx. 10" loop as a starting point. On land I like the bottom of the loop about 2" above the ground and the loop blended in as much as possible.

One of my favorite sets is a leaning tree set on a creek or pond bank with a partially submerged loop that is basically in a triangle with a dab of Beaver Plus above the loop so the beaver tries to swim swim through the triangle created by the leaning tree and a stick pushed into the bottom on the other side of the loop. Wish I had a picture of a set but have not found one. Maybe someone else will post a picture of this set.

I have also seen them caught by the tail, a front foot only and with the loop closed around the nose just behind the upper front teeth. Amazing to see the various ways to put beaver on a leash. Here is one caught by the tail:



This thread is archive material!

Wife, that was about 25 ish years ago and that was only one giant beaver and was an honest 70 pounder. Yes a much younger Jim in that pic, ha ha.

QuietButDeadly, the set you described with a branch leaning over is one of my all time favorites.




It’s worth noting for someone that hasn’t yet made that set that it is important that if the snare is secured to the tree, it needs to be at the very bottom of the tree if it’s on land and below the water level if it’s in the water, because the beaver will usually chew, and you don’t want them felling the tree the snare is anchored to and leaving with it.


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These pictures have been shared in the past.

Aix , thank you for your response to my question and for starting this thread!!

Is the torpedo lured?

Yes. Castor lure or other attractant on the end

Thanks Aix

Using torpedos to catch those Louisiana beaver Aix? I want to see your drone lasso one and drag it to the truck,,,, then I'm interested! LOL. ................the mike

I don’t know how many of those things I’ve made, but I’ve given away every one that I’ve ever made. Started making them out of fence posts, and gave them all away. If I don’t stop giving everything away I’m not going to have anything left. Floating snares work for beavers. They shine in fluctuating water levels, featureless water, and times that you need something completely new. It doesn’t matter what your platform is as long as it remains upright through balance to hold the snare in position.


I haven’t used a floating snare in months, because I haven’t needed it. Haven’t been doing much trapping since Spring. Just now getting back into the swing of things. Heavy flooding recently would have been a good time for em.

The people that I’ve trapped for use drones extensively, but I don’t use a drone for trapping. It sure would be helpful though.

These are bread and butter sets of beaver snaring. Hanging a snare off of a tree then putting a branch over the loop with lure on it. Worth noting is the location of the first snare. It’s on the corner of the primary drainage. It’s not just in some random place, it’s up front and center where they’re going to swim past.







Finally, I know this is a thread for snare sets, but I couldn’t pass this one up. I noticed a footprint where beavers are stepping on an underwater hump. I bedded a long spring there with a few sticks around it for foot placement. They told me where they step and I accommodated them.

Nice pictures of the leaning pole or tee pee sets. One of my favorite snare sets and a very reliable set.

Yessir. I saw this set years ago on Tman, I’m not sure who posted it first. Possibly JTrapper?

It’s a go-to for sure.





I may have already mentioned this, but for anyone new to snares is that while my snares may appear set very shallow, they are at least several inches deep. Nothing wrong with a half submerged snare if the loop isn’t too big. If the water were dropping at a faster rate, I’d set them a little deeper. If the water were dropping very rapidly, I might even set the snare completely submerged trying to compensate for water levels I’m expecting. I’d do the same thing for 330s.

Thanks again fellas. As you may have seen in my previous posts most of my beaver trapping is confined to small creeks, feeder streams and ponds. I really need to make 2 or 3 of those torpedos, lots of eye appeal for the ponds and can stay functional with the fluctuating water levels in small creeks.

First beaver I ever caught was with the leaning pole set. Saw it on Charlie Dobbins "Open Water Beaver Trapping" video.

Ttt