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Day 5...no beaver
#8258344
11/09/24 10:12 PM
11/09/24 10:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69 PA
Trapper_Dusty
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69
PA
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I've been trapping since the early 80's...yet the critter I have the least experience with is the beaver. I'm trying to catch a beaver in a large swamp where they have caused some flooding of a lane. Another gentleman apparently trapped some out of there a few months ago and won't come back due to a stolen trap. They hired me and I am trying to be very discrete with my sets so as not to have the same happen to me. I have 4 330's, 2 snares, and 1 foot trap in a span of about 100 yards with varying food lures and castor lures. There are no amazing slides or anything right where I am allowed to trap so I have made some of my own. I have the snares near trees with food lure on the tree as I've seen others do in hopes the critter swims through looking for the source of the scent. Today was day 5 and nothing. I am trying to determine what a reasonable amount of time would be to leave the sets in there. The experience I do have with beavers is such that I would have thought I'd have something by now. Not sure what the matter is...these types of sets have worked for me in the past. I feel bad if I can't solve the guys problem. I know a number of things can happen...could the beavers have just moved on? Not sure if my customer will buy that. I hate to look like a bad trapper. Do I just offer a deep discount on setup fee and daily trap service fee if unable to make a catch? What would the seasoned experts do in a case like this? How often are you skunked and how do you handle it?
"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" -- Kuyper
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Re: Day 5...no beaver
[Re: Trapper_Dusty]
#8258887
11/10/24 05:11 PM
11/10/24 05:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69 PA
Trapper_Dusty
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69
PA
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I've been a NWCO for just over a year now. Not sure how long a wise trapper would leave the traps before pulling out. My hope is to see some activity within another 5 days or so. At that point I may have to declare the mission failed and move on. I wonder if it is common practice to alter the amount we charge when the critters are uncooperative and lack the decency to get caught in our traps? I charge a setup and daily check fee and then charge per animal caught. I know some guys just charge by the hour regardless. I'm wrestling with this one. I have worked very hard and spent time and fuel, yet I may not be able to solve the problem. Even if it's not my fault I feel funny sticking to my contracted fees. I charge $100 to setup and $40 per day to check since I am coming from a distance to do this work. If I trap 10 days and do not have a catch, that's $500 even if no beaver. Not sure what I should do.
"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" -- Kuyper
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Re: Day 5...no beaver
[Re: Trapper_Dusty]
#8259101
11/10/24 08:50 PM
11/10/24 08:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69 PA
Trapper_Dusty
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69
PA
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That's helpful. I appreciate your perspective. Happy trapping!
"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" -- Kuyper
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Re: Day 5...no beaver
[Re: Trapper_Dusty]
#8259462
11/11/24 09:43 AM
11/11/24 09:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 24,998 New Hampshire
Nessmuck
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 24,998
New Hampshire
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Take some fresh poplar...peel it a little and shove a few bait sticks along the waters edge.
They can not refuse a piece of candy
If the poplar goes missing...you have work to do .
Just slide a foothold under 4 inches of water...with a fresh piece of poplar behind it
It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
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Re: Day 5...no beaver
[Re: Trapper_Dusty]
#8259687
11/11/24 02:49 PM
11/11/24 02:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,134 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,134
NWWA/AZ
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Sometimes beaver are very smart. I started my adc business cleaning up after government trappers….. stay off land No conversational sets No lure except what you catch in location Never a dam break,,,,, first induction to the beaver that something is there. Huts or back den,,,,, even if you have to manufacture a 15 foot stabilizer. A boat is your friend for wise beaver
Ant Man/ Marty 2028 Vinke/ Coonman for press Secretary��..
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