I've got some Duke number 4 I want to use for beaver this year ...just wanted to mess around an put some new pans on them pretty much same cost what would you guys go with the expand a pan or the pit pan system

I'd prefer a smaller pan vs larger in this situation to insure a little more of the big feet in the smaller trap before it closes.

X2 on smaller. The pit would be my choice.

OK good info what would you put the pan tension at

Also would love to use a bigger trap just state regs

4lbs

The key is fully committed for a high catch. To light and the trap fires when a toe hits it leading to toe catches.

I agree 4-5 lbs pan tension.

I see no advantage to switching pans, if you're just going to use them on beaver.

Not really looking for a advantage just want to tinker a bit starting to get the itch

What would be the negative effects of a smaller pan?

I don't think there are any for beaver trapping,,, unless MAYBE a miss or two if you are targeting front foot catches. I've seen big beaver traps with the pans cut down to the size of a 50 cent piece or cut into a 2x1" strip, by old timers who caught a lot of beaver. I'm not saying cut your pans down, but some do.

Agree for the most part. I do like the pit system that you can set it then lift the pan high and slide the loose jaw under to hold it up. They can be set at the truck and safely carried and handled only pulling the pan down at the last little bit.

The CDR is like that.

If I had to switch anything I would look first at the dog before the pan. I hate straightening bent dogs.

I like light pan tension on beaver footholds.
I use them primarily for nuisance trapping and dont want to miss any small ones.
Never had a problem getting good catches on the big ones with the light pan tension.

Too many non targets in public areas around to play with light tension.

What nontargets are you getting in beaver footholds? Only "nontargets" I ever catch in them are otter and the occasional muskrat. I did catch a coyote in a dam crossover set once when I was a teenager.

Geese are always a possibility.

Blue herons are a common non target possibility around here as well

Raccoons mainly here.

That, too.

Many coon are bigger than juvenile beaver-you must leave behind a lot of beaver.
The only way is live trap and release all your bycatch.

Never had a problem with bycatch trapping beaver here.