Worked way too hard to get a few beaver sets in today, but I got them set nonetheless. Sorry about the snout in the picture, my puppy is almost 5 months old, so he thinks he's involved in everything. I wish I took more pictures, but I never remember to until it's too late, I will try to remember when I go check in a few days. I made 2 snare poles as pictured next to the lodge on either side. I made 3 "dam patrol" sets with 330's also. I might set the next couple ponds when I go check if I can find the motivation to make more holes in the ice.

I don't think I've ever stopped to figure that out. But let's see....I think last season I caught 300 beaver from six counties. I was on five different rivers and three lakes. Maybe 140-200 water miles? Not all of that is good beaver habitat, some of it just traveling through.

Very impressive, thanks.

Got a couple snares in to hopefully take care of this educated female. One blind set and one of these angled stick sets with some sac oil from the male I caught on the sticks above the snare.

Snares are on 6 foot long kill poles with horizontal cross piece welded entanglements

Did all that work with the snares just for the female to get caught in the castor mound she has been avoiding for the past 5 days.....

Time to tear out the dams and let this pond drain

Better to have and not need...good job!

That's right YJ. This is what I ended up with yesterday overall. We had super warm weather last week and a big cold front this week. I put in a handful of otter sets before the weather and a couple of them connected yesterday. One on a nice male otter and one on a big blanket female beaver

Great pics!

Good job coondagger! Love them pics! Would like to hear more about the last pic.

The last pic is the set that caught the big beaver in the 3rd pic. Hard to see because the water is moving fast but it is a fully submerged 330, I guess you could call it a "bottom edge" set. It's what most of my otter sets look like but that beaver found it first

It is just a place that looked good to set a trap on the bottom to catch things traveling up and down the creek. There is a natural little run there with the way the water flows and it swings up against a hard stump under the water. The trap is set right beside that stump.

I prefer all my otter sets to be fully submerged because I have avoidance issues with half submerged sets and going full submerged allows me a 72 hr check. Personal preference I guess

I agree with fully submerged whenever possible for otters. Thanks for the summary.

I am out of commission for a little while. Unfortunately I have traps under that mess

Time for SCUBA gear!

Coon, I one time had the river come up over my traps about 8 feet for three weeks. When it came down to where I could find where a trap was cabled off to a high branch I pulled one up and had a brand new bright eyed otter. Caught under 8 feet of water just cruising along the bottom looking for stuff to eat I guess.

Well here’s to hoping BP! I should be able to get to some of them tomorrow and give them a look. I’ll reset what I can, I’m sure things will be on the move as the water settles back out

The beaver will be moving around remarking their territory. All the sign you see you will know is smoking hot fresh. You should do well.

Fighting the flu I’m afraid. Tripled on otter yesterday along with a trio of beavs. And one example of why I love sauvageau traps and their holding ability. DOA in an old bank hole that’s given up 3 beaver and 2 rats already.

Good deal mud, that is a good haul.

Unfortunately we had more rain yesterday and thunderstorms this morning. Still haven’t been able to get to some of my traps.

Supposed to snow here Wednesday and really cool off. Otter should be on the move

Mud, nice catches. I’m fighting the flu too. Real drag. Might have to get that flu shot next year.

I better stay off this thread for awhile. Don't wanna catch it!