Beaver/Otter trap checks

Hello all,

Long time reader, first time writer. Just wondering how often you check your beaver and otter traps on your lines? In Michigan, as I understand it, there is no set time for you to check traps that are intended for kills (under ice snares, conibears) Also, have you ever ran into a situation where a beaver you trap in a coni gets torn apart / eaten by an otter? I’m getting worried the more I think about it is if I catch a beaver in my sets I have out I’ll have an otter come and grab a free meal... I’m checking the traps tomorrow after 48 hours of ‘soaking’

Thanks!

I try to take full advantage of our 4 day check when possible. If it's a real hot area I may check sooner. We don't have to check under ice sets, but I still do b/c I think the fur might go bad maybe after a week.

Welcome to tMan.

Have never had an otter work a dead beaver under ice. Muskrat chews at times. And some people may even say crayfish. Beavers will keep well in the cold water but the longer they are there the better chance other beavers see them and get spooked to the spot. Used to run a 6-7 day check but over time have gone to 1-2 on the first check and 3 on the second or third.

Thanks for the replies guys. I have a good feeling about tomorrow check. There was a ton of sign, and easy to find runs around the hut and bank dens. I set traps near one dam, a bank den and a house. There are 4 dams that seem to be active. Lots of otter sign as well, so that’s why I was asking about them. I’ll report back tomorrow after checking!

Good luck. Beaver trapping is exciting (so is otter).

The most beaver I've got at 1 spot was 5. The last was the biggest, as it seemed smarter & took a snare for me to get it.


Add to your excitement, if you get time, by adding some muskrat sets in the area.

Open water 2 days.Under the ice 4 to 5 days.

Well I came out of the marsh with about 100 extra pounds in my sled. Caught these two on a bank den and a run that was leading from the hut to feed pile. Got some more exploring in, but still have more to do. Set more traps near different dams, and a couple of traps that I’m hoping an otter or two will try squeezing by.

Hopefully this image worked

Some nice ones there congrats!!

Nice picture.
Good work.

Fur trapping open water I usually do 3 checks: 1, 2, and 3 days then pull. I want to get the first ones out of there to reduce educating them and full traps can't catch another beaver.

Under ice I find it takes a few days fairly often as they spook from your banging away putting them in. First check is 2 or 3 days and then 3 day checks.

I don't get otters chewing on my beavers in traps; I haven't even seen it. Beavers are the number one ruining pelts in the spring season. They bite the dead beaver on the back and mess it up. (Another reason to do the first check after one day.) The second most common in the upper Midwest is bald eagles. If that beaver back is where they can land they ruin the pelt in a hurry. After that if is wolves, bobcats and occasionally a coyote or fisher.

Pelting out old buck beavers you will see scars on that gristle area of the back from years prior, and usually fresh ones in the spring. This is a fact of beaver life and occurs commonly, not only when dead in a coni. Chances are you have snagged that old scar when fleshing and ripped/cut/tore a hole. I don't think I have ever fleshed a "Super Blanket" without coming across these.

That's awesome! I'm looking forward to it. Nice catches man...