Held a 56lb beaver this morning. I thought a front foot catch would drown him here but he required a bonk on the noggin.

trapping already?

I used to start this early as well-to scratch the itch but I always found that Oct15th they were much better furred-like noticeably better. Water is pretty low everywhere this fall from what I have seen out there-how about you Jake?

Yea. I can’t wait. A few ponds are pretty low. This one’s trying to make a go of it. The water was 4’ higher early spring. I’m gonna leave it alone.

This ponds still full, looks like they’re building a bank den and abandoning the lodge.

I removed the pic of me putting it down but it was quite the experience for the wife, got to see a big beaver up close sitting nicely on the bank waiting for us…lol

There’s still 3 more ponds a farmer wants me to clean out. I’ll slowly make my way towards them. Plan on taking 2-3 every couple nights, gives me time to board em in the evening. Then there’s 4 more I can hit in winter, but only plan on taking 3-4 out of each one…..they’re inaccessible until freeze up.

What was the problem,water not deep enough,loose wire(didnt get to bottom) or he pulled the deepwater stake?

It was an 8’ fibreglass rod jammed in about 3’ of water. Top end was cabled off to a rebar anchor. I’m guessing he was able to push and wash away the mud that the rod was jammed into. He was just sitting there with the rod out of the water. If I go around to the dam, the waters deep, but I figured a font foot catch would drown it. Ahhh, I took a pic for the way point. Pics worth a thousand words.

Hey Jake-I have not used fiberglass drowning rods yet but I have heard they are great. I use rebar that have 2 washers welded on each side up top-it seems to stop them from pulling it sideways and ending up on the bank. I had it happen when I used a single upper stake and one washer. Just got some of those new beaver extreme traps-anxious to try them out this fall.

You wouldnt drown too many beaver here if your slide is limited to 8 feet.
I often slide a beaver 14 feet or more out to the deepwater stake.
In soft bottom the stakes hold a lot better when perpendicular to the slide.

With that visible white rod anchored next to the trap, I wouldn't catch a single one of these southern beavers at that set.

Are those Canadian beavers dumb or what?

Do you paint them? After I set it, I thought it looked kinda funny. And yea, I believe all the beaver I've trapped have only been educated by me.

I had no problems with a cinder block tossed into the water with a cable anchored somewhere up top. I bet you that's what happened, he went sideways and pulled it loose from the bottom. He was supposed to go straight back to the safety of the water after the trap went off. Dumb beaver...LOL
It worked, but not as planned.

No. I only set where the entire rod or chain is underwater. I use only rebar or welded link chain for drowner slides, both are darker colored. I have had zero success when the drowning rig is that visible and close to trap. If water level drops and exposes it....I pull and reset deeper or remove set.

Our northern beaver hardly hold a candle to your southern beaver when it comes to smarts. Take a trip up here and collect your bounty!

Shakey, I have got to ask...if the trap had offset jaws would it have held the toe?

I don't want to shame ya'll.

I doubt it, the OS being 3/8”. Last spring I tried using my wolf OS 750s so I didn’t have to buy more traps, they could be for wolf & beaver. Dam Beaver said they’ll work but might find more empty traps. I had one set off 4 times before the 750 Beaver arrived in the mail. Haven’t had an empty one since.
When I saw its finger, I don’t know how it didn’t get away.
The 74” female had big nips. Filled the board and still a bit loose. Also got 2 larges so I think I’ll head to the next pond. There’s a nice dam X over there for a leghold…..deep water.

Nice