Beaver Advice

So I was asked to remove the beavers from a shallow creek (<3ft deep) and because one side is bounded by a housing addition I figured I’d better learn to snare ‘em.

I’ve walked about half of the creek I have access to. This creek is bounded by a road (that it crosses) on one side and the housing addition on the other. Not a lot of sign but I did find one track and could smell castor in the same area.

I only made two sets last night, a lured, leaning pole set and submerged a snare and put a dive stick where they can access a slough(?) made during high water/heavy rains.

I need to walk the rest of the creek but this place is a mess, it’s easier to walk in the creek than on the banks. They’re either thick with underbrush or Johnson grass 6-7 ft high.

Here’s the two sets I made last night. Do they look alright?

Here you’re looking towards the main part of the creek with that little slough behind you. There seems to be a hard packed run between the two and my snare is on the slough side right where it drops off.



Here is the lured leaning pole set. It’s in the deepest part of the creek that I’ve found so far. I’m pretty short and this area is over my hip waders. I’ve felt around with a cultivator (potato rake) and there’s a run or channel right in the center. This spot is only 30 yds or so upstream from the crossover.


Any advice on these two sets would be appreciated.

Top picture: Good set location. Can’t see the snare, but as long as it’s setup correctly, it should work.


Second picture: Looks good. I would make sure there aren’t any sticks or roots in the way that would prevent the snare from closing, and then I would put a dab of lure above/near my loop so that they are sure to hit the snare while trying to locate the scent.


Overall, I’d say they look good

Thanks Aix, and funny you should answer. I built both snare supports to your specs in the vertical drowning rod post. I did add a drowning lock to one of them and used a short (36") snare. I figured if the lock doesn't work and the snares too long the cross piece will work.

I put some castor lure right where the leaning stick meets the tree but so far nothing in either set.

I've been watching the "Beaver Sites and Sets" DVD and am a little worried these may be "educated" beaver.

When I suspect educated beavers, the first step is to put away the castor and don’t bring it back on site. Without a doubt, blind sets are my preferred method for beavers, especially educated beavers, but there are other options when it comes to lure/bait that don’t involve castor. Honey is something I tend to reach for as a change up.

The good news is that you’re not dealing with much water, and that means blind sets are going to be easier to find. You can use these same snare setups without lure, just be a little more selective where you make your sets, and you’ll be fine.

I would have never thought of honey. We have some of those little packets that should be just the right amount and easy to carry. I have some kind of food lire (woodchipper?) made by that Dobbins guy ( ) I thought I might try.

I walked further downstream this morning and finally found some clear sign of beaver.




It’s not much but it’s definitive and fresh. From here to the bridge where my trapping privileges end the water is too deep to wade which means drowning rods/wire/cable will work but I can’t get to this area along the bank.,

This is looking upstream (West). The peeled sticks were 75-100 yds past the tree line. I think I better break out the kayak…

I like a smear of Paul's Beaver Plus up above sets where I am trying to get the beaver to swim into a snare. Have had good success with it on leaning pole sets or snares hung off a partially submerged log.

I second QuietButDeadly’s recommendation of Beaver Plus. It is a rock solid lure choice for beaver work.



I use raw honey. It seems as though just about everything has at least some interest in honey, from beavers to coons to people....what doesn’t like honey? Coyotes probably even like the stuff.

Get some sac oil and give it a try.

Beaver plus and a cage trap
Sure thing

Sounds like I need to get some Beaver Plus. I probably can't get it here before I go back out so I might put it one lured set with a dab of honey and some peeled sticks.