Exactly what I was thinking. #330s on dams is a real otter catcher. Fine in the fall, not so fine in the spring.

And brush those #330s in. Around here, if you can see any metal looking remotely like a square (even just the top bar), you'll only catch kits. The big ones been swimming around #330s their entire lives, here.

calvin i got the big ones last fall, i think by the looks of the small amount they are getting done on the dam break,that im dealing with 2 year olds that got kicked outa somewhere else. yesterday because of the low water levels,i crawled on the bank lodges and found their runs,they were above the water line,well i looked up in them and asked if anybody was home and no one answered,lol.i did have my side arm in hand just in case one wanted to come out and shake hands.

well a little update,checked traps yesterday and had a nice 40 lber ,that was nice,BUT also had a snapped 330 over by the dam break,sooo either i got the one that snapped the trap or i educated one,we'll see what i got going on after work.hopefully got the other one.i was quite surprised at the size of the one i got,it was a male,being that big i would guess he's got a mate in there with him.only took me about 2 hours to clean skin(which is the best job of that,that i have done)take the back straps, hind qaurters,castors,and oil sacs.i'm terribly slow at beavers,but getting a little better,at least no holes.LOL

Good job.If you are persistent,you will catch the last one.
I actually enjoy figuring out how to outsmart the smart ones.
Pay close attention and the beaver will tell you how to catch him.
Sometimes you need to dig down deep in the trick bag.

thanks boco,i imagine if its now coni shy i'll have to go footholds,which i kinda find more fun,we'll see how tonights check goes.i'm thinking because this is right along a river,that until i get the dam removed that this is going to be an ongoing problem.

HT,
I hope you are a member of the Mn Trappers Association. If not, we have an excellent program called the tanned fur project. If you get a incidental catch, usually an out of season catch, you contact the CO which will give you a permit and then it is turned in to the MTA tanned fur project. The MTA pays for tanning and then that fur is used for exhibits in state parks, for teachers programs etc. We cover our costs by selling other fur that is donated by members. It needs to be stretched and dry and we have volunteers that will put up the fur if needed. There is a group of guys, I think around Princeton, Mn, that makes a party in the spring putting up fur for the tanned fur project.
Gary J

gary im embarraced to say that i am not but will make a point of joining,probably tomorrow.i would really like to watch somebody that is good at beaver,im sure i would learn alot.as with anything the more you do the better you get,now give me a coon and i could have it skun fleshed and on a stretcher in about half hour,if that.

If you set traps in the water your chance of catching a incidental otter is always there. No matter if it is at the dam or even runs going into the timber. They travel every where.

well bisquits,no activity what so ever when i checked traps.so either there was only one(which i doubt)or now ive got a shy beava on my hands.now the game begins

gary im trying to get joined up but the site must have a problem,when i go to the page to join up,all im getting is a little circle spinning around,will keep trying

HT, I just tried this. There have been issues with the website due to some changes, but I just tried it.
https://mntrappers.org/

Another update,got the female today in the same set I got the male, actually weighed this one 57 lb was guessing on the males weight so ,I’m pretty sure those are the only 2,anyhow didn’t have to set up the footholds today.I guess those 330s do work.funny thing the 330 I had by the dam break the beava went around it and used my guide sticks to plug the dam.LOL