Received a call today about a nuisance beaver job. More river beaver, flooding a farmers fields. They’ve got two large dams and a ton of water backed up. My issue lies in that the farmer does not own the property the beavers have their dams, the owner of this property will not allow anyone access to deal with the beavers. The farmers property line starts about 20’ away from the beavers lodge on dry ground. The farmer also owns about a 50 yard stretch of the river within 80 yards of the lower dam. There are no deep spots for drowning on this stretch. I'm going to wait a month a go around the first of march to see if I can draw them downstream with castor to farmers stretch of river. My questions are, how long of chain to use? Amount of swivels to be used? I use beaver extremes and bridger#5 DLS normally on drowning sets, are these too heavy for long chaining? Any tips to keep them from wringing out. Thanks guys.

I have used this method and it does work. Attached is a link for a tutorial the fella that taught me how to do it made

Long chain beaver trapping

Hope this helps

Ric McCaslin

Thanks Ric

Since they are river beaver, I wonder how navigable water laws apply to this. I wonder if they are similar to fishing and travel rules. I don’t have any firm answers, but you might find something useful if you called the game warden. The beaver may have turned the stream into navigable water.

I will look into that Limestone, thanks

Rattrapper1234 had an interesting question in an old beaver chaining thread, why doesn’t any trap company make a beaver sized stoploss? I think it would be a pretty handy trap.

If navigational, you still may not be able to touch the ground underneath, but floats may work. If you can lure them to the farmer's stretch of river, why not just use 330s or foot traps?

I’m going to use footholds Brian, no deep water to drown them, figured I’d give the long chain a try. Gonna stick some 330 in as well👍👍

12 foot of chain with two swivels and the tap swivel..

I don’t agree with using the small trap as stated in the video.
I target for the back foot catch.
The bridger Braun is my favorite adc beaver trap…

Ah, I overlooked the "no deep spots".

I've used eight foot to twelve foot. I wouldn't go shorter than eight. A couple swivels will suffice, three better. Beaver aren't bad to twist things up on long chain if no entanglement. Entanglement is not good. Do not set long chains anywhere within reach of a bank den, ask me how I know lol.
Back foot always better than front. Approach slowly and calmly and most of the time it'll be waiting quietly on the bank for you. A rifle is a good thing. If spooked they dive and now you got a waiting game or tug of war.
They aren't bad to pump a stake or lunge so anchoring isn't as vital as it is with coyote but always anchor as if because it happens.