olddogrib

Got cabin fever bad and my winter project is going to be a beaver hat w/tail attached. Saw a beauty at the K-zoo traditional archery expo but the price convinced me this is a do-it-yourself thing! I've got the beaver (still on the hoof) and while I did some trapping in my younger days, there were no beaver then. What's the quickest way to a pelt? I'd shoot one but they're mostly nocturnal, although certain days seem to bring them out right before dusk, I just don't know which days. I've got some 1-1/2" coilspring leghold traps, which I'm told are too small (My buddy just shot a 38 lb'er). I know the bodygrip connibears are the thing, but I don't have any. Anybody know anything about snaring or live-trapping. I have a live trap that's big enough, but it has a single entance and I'm told they won't go in it unless it is open on both ends. Need advice!

Hiawatha

done give up on shootin them old. They aren't completely noctural animals. Usually towards evening when the sun starts to set they come out. A an idea might be to find a fairly fresh dam where there are freshly peeled sticks on, and kick or chop a hole in the dam with an axe. Then sit near that dam that evening. 9 times out of 10 they will be in there tryin to fix the dam. Haven't ever lived trapped one or snarred one but i know that 330 connibears do a great job if ya don't want to sit and wait for them.

sawbill

In many places trapping or shooting fur bearers require a licence. Nuisance beaver may be the exception however. If this isn't an issue then as far as getting one easily, by all means, open a dam and sit there in the evening. But make your shot a clean kill or you won't get him. He'll dive and you most likely won't see where he comes up--usually in his house. Then the other beaver in the lodge will chew him and your potential hat, to a rats ass.

mez

You can live trap them but it requires a special trap and they run about $350. Snaring would be your best option if you don't want to wait on one to shoot it. You can get a dozen snares for about $15. There should be "slides" areas where the beaver are coming out. They will look like little mud slides, hence the name. Hang a snare over the slide with a 10 inch loop 3 inches off of the ground. A beaver has a larger neck than head so they need to get at least one front leg through to hold them. I prefer washer lock snares for beaver, they will relax and won't hurt the beaver. If you get a small one you can let it go unharmed and dogs will also not be killed with the washer locks if that is a concern.
If you don't see any slides, make your own with a shovel and place a few fresh peeled sticks behind the snare with a little beaver lure on them. Beaver are territorial and they will go right up to check these sets out.