Should I be building snares for beaver and planning to catch riverbank bobcats and beaver?

Hope so, with the decline of the Yellowstone tv audience and its popularity...it makes a beaver trapper wonder??

Should hold for this season. I'd sell early and often as opportunities present themselves. Not sure if it will hold for the '24/'25 season

Im curious.

What kind of average do you have to get on your beaver in order to feel like its worth your while to trap them?

Do you trap for beaver every season but go for them harder when the markets up or do you only set for them when the markets high?

I talked to a guy yesterday who's planning on buying 2 or 3 dozen connis.. and i wondered if he'd catch enough fur to pay for the trapa.

I dont think it's gonna last. Likely will be weaker by this coming spring. But, it has been good enough that Boco and I were able to maintain a lengthy beaver marketing discussion recently...lol.

The industry reports for felt project solid growth for the next five years. It's not just western hats driving the market, felt fedoras are also doing well on a worldwide level. The question is how much of a premium will the hatters continue to pay for beaver felt? There are other felt sources

Last year was the first year in a long time that I didn't set a single beaver set. Usually do local beaver control as needed. Unfortunately for me I had hit it pretty hard for the three seasons prior and didn't have any beaver to trap on the places I have permission. Well now I have acquired a boat with access to two rivers, one with a ramp about a 1/4 mile away and the other with a ramp about 3 miles away. Lots of river that could be worked with minimum fuel usage. Already have the goods(cable,locks,swivels,etc.) to build 100 snares, own a couple dozen 330's, and about the same in footholds. I would be happy with a $10 green beaver average added to the $15 bounty.
As for cats, I can catch some running the river banks but would do much better in the pine plantations which is not exactly beaver country. The cat trapping would cost more in fuel but would likely average better than beaver. Of course a flood stage river would kill the beaver line or lazy kitties lack of movement, during the time off I have to trap, would make for a disappointing plantation run.

J, I haven't asked permission to trap anything for many many decades. Public access rivers and lakes is where it's at...especially for beaver.

Yes, that is a big benefit. I've seen your catches of otter and beaver. High water would be my only obstacle. Having access to two rivers so close by would helpful for me too.

High water accounts for some of my bigger catches. Just as it starts to recede all the beaver are out refreshing their mudpies and I can set on real hot sign.

I spring trapped a little for the first time this year and it was a blast. I am certainly looking forward to doing that again!

I would not worry about the beaver market this season, the demand is there for now.

Castor market on the other hand will probably drip some more with the increase in production.

Take advantage of the increase beaver prices while they last.

If you have the opportunity sell your beaver as quickly as you can sell them, the little bit more that I guy can get shipping is easily offset by catching more.

One nice thing about Castor is it is easy to store in the freezer.

I always recommend selling early and often if you have that option.

If interested you I'd make some snares and have some fun..especially since you're relatively close to the animal.population.

Here we have to drive 5 hrs one way to really get into any beaver.

My history with beaver was if i got a 21.00 average it was during a year i was trying to avoid 2.00 beaver, then the next year id go gang busters and get my usual 6.00 average for put up beaver then go back to trying to avoid the muddy beast. So with that in mind, id sit out the beaver season, lol.

Already waiting on the post from those jumping into beaver trapping hard and heavy in the south claiming groney ripped them off, only got 5 dollars for their 30 dollar beavers, lol.

That's my luck. About 2 years ago I sold several for $3 green. After that they became 'nuisance' animals. So last year having none to catch for the locals I thought it was a blessing. Boy was I wrong. Lol.

Sure won't be me. ALL of my beaver trapping is nuisance-related. It will continue to be so. It is nice to get good prices on these flat pelts, but even with $20 + avgs for these beavers...that ain't enough for me to start beaver fur trapping. Plus, if I was to do that, I'd hurt myself financially because landowners would start expecting "free" beaver trapping and there would be less nuisance issues.

Be nice if prices stay up, but either way about all I do is damage control on beaver so them prices are set.
When they cause trouble not many people complain on prices, and if I'm to high I tell them thank you for calling.

Well your land owner's may not need ya anymore if tom dick and harry come around asking if they can trap beaver, lol. I know during the otter craze my work load got alot lighter, nuts running around chasing 100 dollar otter in every ditch they came too took out ALOT of beaver in the process.

Very true, let them have at it .

It's my fun job lol, just better keep the better job that pays well.

No other trappers in my area....especially fur trappers.....and no knowledgeable nuisance beaver trappers.