Leroy, one of the things our Illinois Trapping Assoc. did that made a lot of sense to me, was change that dispatch law...we had the same one you have. Picture some young kid trying to dispatch a large beaver(or otter) with a stick in the water....not safe at all. You guys MIGHT want to look into that.
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Yup an accurately placed love tap is surprisingly quick and effective.

Questions for Lt.Grey....what exactly do you mean by "pick the bank"? Also, when you say your trap is suspended in water, do you mean you use the technique that David Lafforthun shows in his videos with the trays? I'm also curious how/why your long-chained beavers are drowning...is there some sort of tangle stake in the water?

Thanks...just trying to learn all I can...beavers have frustrated me a couple of times...

Trapper Dusty,

"Pick the right bank"

Meaning there are spots up and down a bank that are better than others and choosing it may come with time and experience.


You don't want entanglement, if it's there, clear it, or choose another spot.

Same idea as David, but I have simplified it one step further. Better, IMO.
One trap on a single pole. Lure container, trap holder, pole, all integrated into one single unit.
Length of chain ? Most of mine are around 15 or more feet

Normally , 18' , heavily swiveled. No entanglement pole.
Beaver caught by the front foot swims straight out. I normally find the chain out taut

* A beaver feels safer approaching something in the water, because THAT is it's element

Feel free to see more on this subject on my F B page or contact me direct.

Always try to help out another trapper

What traps do you prefer for that method LT?