Snaring beaver

So I'm pretty efficient when it comes to catching beaver In body grips and foot holds but I have no experience with snares so I need help.

I don't plan on trying to drown them but I have to start out In the water to stay legal In WI. Half In half out according to the rules.

So loop size Is my biggest concern. There are some trails leading through some shallow water and the beaver are avoiding the 330s so I thought about hanging some snares since they won't be so noticeable. Should I leaver the 330s In place and hang the snare where they are going around the 330? It's just about all marsh with no banks so castor mounds are out. Except In one area where there Is high bank but the water Is over the top of my waders. So that's not an option either.

I think these beaver have been educated.

So enlighten the beav. LOL

If they are spooky I'd try to keep the loop 10-12" just so your keeping the top of the loop out of sight helps a lot though I don't necessarily like my snares that big but with the 50/50 rule you don't have much option.

I think I would not set the snares where the 330s were and go up and down the run just so your not risking spot avoidance.

Smeared castor on a stick works anywhere, no banks needed.

Your not getting a lot of responses because- we normally ask you these questions lol. I think I would leave the 330's in as a decoy and also to limit introducing new variables… adding the snares in those detour lanes sounds like a good plan. I often struggle in shallow water conditions- I mentioned in Paul's post on the beavers pulling my snares (CR's) tight every night. I finally took them out in that location by utilizing a platform set (similar to your adjustable muskrat platform) but scaled for beaver, I cantilevered the platform on a pole with a #5 Bridger attached and pressed it in just enough to be below the silt line on the bottom, it served as a blind set.

Any trees you can hang a snare on? A snare on the side of a tree with a small pole against the tree putting the snare in the triangle that is created is very effective with a little Beaver Plus or other lure above the snare on the tree or the leaning pole. Beaver will swim around and through the triangle trying to locate the lure.

No trees, get a couple of poles to make the set. Just make sure you anchor it well as the beaver will likely be alive and not happy to see you.

Beav, I aint no pro, but here is what has worked for me in similar situations. I am taking for granted the water is only a foot or less deep. I have had to take a CDR or similar trap and place it about 3-4 feet back from the 330's. Seems they always stop a bit when they come to something they are not wanting to go through. I use long chains on the CDR's to. Many times they will get caught in the FH and then the 330.

If I was going to snares, I would probably leave the 330's set, back off several feet on both sides and set the snares.

Good luck which whatever way ya decide to change it up.

Thanks guys keep the advice coming.

In my opinion 10-12inches is too large of a loop. I like to run mine at out 9 inches diameter. Also if you have to narrow the run down us subtle guiding. Small branches smaller then a pencil doesn't take much.
Think about it like using cable restraints on coyotes.

You may not be interested in watching Youtube, but Meat Trapper does a lot of beaver snaring and has several videos on sets and how to. Just saying..

Where you set is your choice. Mud is just a visual attractor. If you get them to smell castor, they will come.

The set QuietButDeadly mentions is a great one. I make the same set at times, and it’s an old standby in certain situations. You can make the same set using a KP. Live or lethal is your choice, there are a number of ways to achieve the same results.

1/2 submerged is about all I use. Actually it’s more like 1/3 submerged, but I try to always stay in the water. Seems to help on the non targets that way too. I scoop out the mud underneath the snare and on the approach to keep them swimming.

I use bigger loops here. With no neck beaver it seems to help me to at least get the head and one front leg through.
I made lengths of stiff #9 wire that I tie off to a long rebar stake. The wire is a great snare support, and slipping the snare end loop through the stake first then driving in the stake is a one-piece support and stake all in one for me.
Snare about 95% of my beaver this way.
Jim

I've done that with 330s and It works. Thanks for the reminder.

A floating log snare set like newt shows is a killer set if you want to go that route. If ya don’t want to have to haul in logs, a torpedo does the same thing.


Many options. Rebar is one of my favorites though. Convenient and lethal.

This^^^

One of the reasons why I’ve tried to get away from anchoring snares to trees has been the beaver’s teeth and habits. After a setting a few and giving nature time to be brutal, there’s a more sunlight on the water’s surface. Another reason is that I need to have one where I plan to make the set.


Those teeth don’t do so well on rebar, and I can bring them anywhere I need em. Packing them aren’t usually a problem for me, but it could be at times.

Rebar is so versatile when it comes to beaver trapping that I don’t want to have to stop using it. I use it for everything from snare supports, tangle sticks, slider anchors, and... well thats about it

How exactly are you using the rebar? What diameter, how long is the piece? A picture would help , if you don’t mind sharing one.

He's probably using re bar as a stabilizer and a kill pole all rolled Into one system.
WE got froze out so the beaver are still there. I hate to fail but there Is always spring to finish It.

A lot will depend on how shy the beaver is. I've had beavers that would avoid a snare if I put in a post to attach a snare support to. If they are super educated, they will avoid anything new that is introduced to their environment. I found that a 9 or 11 gauge wire run from a stake, which has the top submerged will work as a snare support. Very little is shown to be added to their environment. Position the snare where you expect the beaver to pass, with half submerged in your state, and you should have a good set.

Freeze up really limits beaver travel and they are easy to wipe out with snare sets between the house and the feedbed,or 330's set at the main entrance.Even the educated ones are stupid under ice.

When I was beaver snaring, I used smaller loops them most, unless using loaded snares. I bet my loops were about 8 inches. Too big and I just had them going through.

It's a 100 mile round trip not worth my time. And right know the Ice Is not safe to travel on.
But If we get some snow and we can start catching those $99.00 coyotes we would be In the area. In freezing weather you don't want to be catching coyotes In foot holds and releasing them.