Spring beaver trapping is around the corner (wisconsin). I'm planning on checking Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. With the rivers opening up the water is still chilly. How many days would the meat still be good, if it was submersed in deep cold water? If it was caught Sunday night and pulled Wednesday mid-day, would you still eat it? Provided no off smell.

Now, I'm an hour from the line. Should I dress it after retrieval, put it on ice, etc. Or since the outside temperature will still be cold, (below 40), I'd be fine leaving it whole and processing it at home?

Last year was my first serious attempt at Spring beaver. I'd set Friday, check Saturday and Sunday I would pull. So all of them (8), were only caught overnight. All the meat was used. This year my goal is 25 over a two week period, with the sets in place the entire time. So curious about Beavers caught on the Wed check after checking on Sunday and the Friday check.

Should be no problem.

I've let them sit that long with no issues. Being submerged will get rid of body heat quickly. If you're concerned, I'd say use best judgement when it comes to the meat. You're nose and eyes will tell you what you need to know.

It seems to be spring beaver trapping time now----at least here in my part of Pa......jk

I agree with the others. Organ meat I would not let set for that long but muscle meat will be fine.

Thanx. That's what I was figuring.

People used to eat a lot of things we wouldn't eat now. They either died or got a stronger immune system. To me it seems no different between being in cold water vs the fridge. Had beaver last night but it was a 24hr check per our regs here. I think you will be fine.

I lost a beaver in a #330 this past fall (open water on this little river but starting to freeze up). I found the beaver about 2 weeks later on the bottom. I figured it wouldn't be salvageable. I was wrong: The fur was fine and I fed the meat to my dogs. The meat had zero weird smell to it. Honestly I would have eaten it but my dogs get most of the beaver meat.

As long as the water is cold they will last quite a while.
In warm water they spoil quickly.