Had a Comstock and a Hancock trap set at a dam under a bridge on state land. Nuisance permit. Some scumbag walked off with my Comstock. Camouflaged as much as possible, but still visible. Encon Officer took a statement etc, but not expecting much. Rural, very low traffic spot. Probably a local. Will order a couple cell cams asap.....and another Comstock trap. Someone tampered with it a few days ago, but left it there (possibly released a beaver). I should have called Encon then.

Dang, that sucks. Having footholds and bodygrips stolen is bad enough, but losing a Comstock is down right painful.

Use the trap as bait and set one of those bear traps with teeth in the approach

That is a giant p.i.a.
You work hared making money to purchase good equipment and some no good slug swipes it.

Mac

run a magnet around the deep water

often if they are just mad at your trapping because they are anti , they don't want it they just don't want you to have it.

^^^Great advice.

I had a set near the river , catch released one day , I foolishly reset not having had it happen before I figure I caught again that night , next day trap pulled , 2 stakes laying in the water in about 6 inches of water I expect the trap took a deeper swim than that.

it was a shame too because that spot caught almost every night

Had the same thought. Water is murky, and I was discussing that possibility with the encon cop. There's actually something in the water that looks like a cage, but it was there beforehand. I have a fishing magnet, I'll bring it tomorrow.

Just after reporting the theft, a mink ran across the road less than 10 yards from me, and since I needed some bait for a turtle job a few miles away, I wet a line and caught 24 bullheads, 3 for the turtle and 21 for supper. Must be a lot of hungry bullheads there, they were aggressively taking the bait within seconds, at noon time. No bluegills, 2 dace, and a 4" LM bass. The theft put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day.

I feel your pain buddy. Nothing worse than a low down trap thief.

I would check the water. Comstock traps are approx. 25 pounds, a lot for someone to haul out.

Thieves & liars are the worst, they will both do you wrong behind your back.

nothing worse than someone steeling traps,

Whenever I see the need for using a cage trap,, I now use a heavy chain and padlock to help prevent theft.
I believe fines and penalties should be enforced and extremely stiff when expensive equipment gets stolen.

I will be using chains and locks in the future, but also need something to lock it to. Not all sets provide a good anchor.
Agree on the penalties, but have to catch the scumbag first.

Traps weren't tampered with this morning, except by the adult male that found his way into the Hancock. Adult pair, a two year old and a yearling so far. I'll see if any yearlings are left over next couple of days. I believe one was released on first night, so there may be a very educated one to catch. The state is chomping at the bit to pull the dam and get it back to the creek it was before.

Its warm out. Sit in the tall grass with a couple packs of cigarettes and a baseball bat. Let it work itself out.

Traps were good this morning. Had two more beaver. Any ideas why 2 yr olds are still with the colony? 2nd two year old I've caught (by weight) and another yearling. Seems a little late in the spring for them to be still hanging around.

an old 330 is better after all you are beaver trapping

How much do they cost ?

How much are they weighing?

Big colony & lodge? Lots of water & food? Heavy rains? Maybe they're just travellers. I’ve seen big colonies with older family members sticking around or moving a dam over. If there’s enough feed and room, why not let the kids live rent free eh?