Does it take to put 10'-16' x 4" poles into a dam? I'm hoping to find out in the morning.
Trying to catch a nuisance beaver, there was no sign of it being active for two weeks of trapping. No green sticks anywhere. Had a sprung 330, but couldn't tell if the beaver did it.
I decided to put a big break in dam, which was the whole reason I took the job. Huge dam inside a box culvert. I was pulling out long poles. Water level dropped a foot, no repair. A few days later, took out some more and dropped level another foot. Finally saw some repair. And I swear he's taking the poles I tossed downstream and brought them back, no fresh chewed sticks. My permit ran out, so had to wait a couple days to continue. Went back today with traps and it looks like he's working overtime now, new and old sticks, with a couple more 10 footers amongst the debris. I'm anticipating a very large beaver in the morning. So, been wondering how big a beaver has to be to move that kind of wood.

I can’t wait to see what happens! Keep us updated

It's surprising what a beaver can do.
It doesn't take a big beaver to do that.

Can you trap up stream? That pig may not live there yet and still lives in a pond upstream. If it does, there will be a well worn crossover on that dam and it will be easy pickins, and he won't have 16' pole in his mouth to set off your traps.

A question that I have, which I KNOW has been answered countless times, is does castor or sac oil work at any time of year, or is it seasonal? I personally like castor mounds or scented blind sets, but may not work with what you're doing.

x2

It's a small pond connected to a large pond. The culvert is about 250' long, 10 ' wide. The dam is about 50' inside culvert. Water too deep on both sides to wade, so use a kayak.
CT DOT can't get equipment to it, so it has to be removed by hand, rake and water. Our DEP wants the dam removed to allow fish to swim through. I'm thinking the fish were better off with the deeper water above the dam.

I didn't have any luck with castor sets at this job, maybe poor location on my part. I didn't think there was even an active beaver there, until water level was 2' down.

Just noticed you mentioned, no new chew sticks anywhere, round here they don't normally cut trees till later in the fall. Mostly eating on corn or bean crops here. Find their food source, and act accordingly.

Oh yeah, plenty of green stuff now. Got to the pond and saw a few ripples coming from under culvert. Paddled up to the KORO trap and it was closed with brush piled on top. Took a sec to see fur, she was hiding the best she could. So, she has a mate, maybe some yearlings too.. At least I got the female first, she's usually last. Was a bit disappointed in her weight, only 39.5 lbs. Was expecting a 50 or so. She was lactating, I expect the kits to be tiny still.

One down, good deal!

Here's the culvert, lodge and dam. The left side of dam (mud pile) was all that was remaining above water three days ago. I had cleared out the entire right side. Now I'll have to do it all again, plus the muddy side.

And last stop a couple towns away, connected on a double in Comstock's. Set up yesterday. Yearlings, 20 and 21 lbs.

Yearling tend to want to create their own are to play......
I added additional locks to all my Koro after seeing a beaver work the trap in shallow water,,,,,,, I realized why I would sometime encounter a sprung trap that was empty.
Hancocks baskets come with two locks for a reason.

Picked up the mate at the box culvert today. Should've had him yesterday, pan was down, dog flipped, but latch didn't release. I guess he was big enough to move 16' logs, at 46.5 lbs.

Nice beaver.

They are extremely industrious and can out perform what you think they’re capable of. Even one beaver can get more done in a night than you think possible. A floating log isn’t too hard for them to move. Good job on getting it done!