I'm trying to catch a beaver that is taking down our trees. Before the season they were all over our property and many runs I could have trapped. They have seemed to move out of the area and go down stream. There is am old gate system in the stream that we could put board in to raise the water level (hasn't been used in 30 years) right at the property line. The beaver is coming up on land not on our property and no I can not get permission to trap that property (protected area). They are not going back in the water on our side and it is all rip rap rock. We have size restrictions on traps not in water. Any advice? Also I am new to beaver trapping.

Can you use snares?

Since they aren't on your property anymore maybe your problem has gone away. If they come back, then if you can use snares that would be the way to go.

You could wrap the trees you want to keep in wire mesh. Otherwise, find or make a run up the bank. Put a pile of mud and leaves, about the size of a dinner plate about 18 or so inches up the bank. If you have a castor based lure, put a teaspoon quantity on the top of the pile. Dobbin’s Backbreaker is an excellent choice. Put a snare vertically in the run and stake it into the bank with a long metal stake, 20-inch long cable stake or cross stake it on the bank.

Then make sure you check it every day. Bring a .22 caliber with you. It will be alive.