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Post by bartiks on Mar 6, 2018 5:39:00 GMT -5
So the other day I went out to the lake me and dad own just looking to see how close the river was to getting in it. Walked down the levee looking around and such, was on my way back to my car when off to my right I hear a loud splash. Couldn't see what made the splash however thinking it may of been a beaver I crouched down and waited. Then I seen him, one of the largest ones yet in the lake. He was probably 3.5 feet long or so. So he goes ahead and slaps his tail at me and kind of mocks me a little I guess.
While he is swimming around he starts making a noise like he is calling to his cubs or something but there isn't a lodge anywhere around. I wait a little while longer and then I hear some leaves rustling off to my right I creep that way and look thru some weeds and see him sitting there on the bank. I take my 10-22 off safety stand up and plug him 3 times, he flops off into the water and he tries coming up to breathe so I give him one more as a parting gift.
After I compose myself I start walking back and then low and behold I hear another tail smack, which I guess is what the calling was for maybe he was trying to find his partner or something. It has been a long running battle with these things, we take about on average 3 or so out a year. The past calendar year has been the most productive. We've taken out 5 confirmed a possibility of 7. I would really like to let them do what they do, however there isn't 1 tree within 40 feet of the waters edge so it makes it kind of hard to live in harmony with them. I would like to find a balance they eat some trees keep them in check and all but they have been running wild out there.
So with that being said Dad and I have established that if we see them we are going to get rid of them. We'll let them stay if they start paying some of the property tax, however I've yet to receive anything in mail. |
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Mar 6, 2018 8:02:29 GMT -5
They can do damage in a hurry. Had some in my lake before.
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Post by esshup on Mar 6, 2018 11:09:09 GMT -5
That's a good plan. They will tunnel into the bank like a muskrat, and their tunnels can be 40 feet long and 18" in diameter. If they do that in the dam/levee, it can compromise it, and you could lose your lake if it fails.
Snares, Conibear 330's and shooting them are all on the table to get rid of them.
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Post by bartiks on Mar 6, 2018 19:51:06 GMT -5
Seriously??? they tunnel into banks?? I had no idea, oh it's definitely a go now. I've used snares some last year with mediocre results, caught 1 by the foot. My friend "scared him off" according to my 4 year old who heard the shots and then the next one we caught he actually choked himself to death. Hell that is no good at all. I guess we will really have to get out and check both sides of the levee then.
Just a quick question, do they prefer to come at it from the water side or is it best to check both sides of the levee and secondly do they prefer an area where the water is shallow to tunnel in or some place where the bank falls off rather fast?
Where can I get a conibear? Do places still sell them? I don't want to lose a 25 acre lake because some beaver thinks he needs to bore a hole into the levee.
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Post by esshup on Mar 6, 2018 22:19:37 GMT -5
Yes, seriously. They come from the water side and have their den opening under water to protect the den from predators. If they are living there, and you don't see any beaver houses, then they are "bank beavers". Think of a muskrat run, only a LOT bigger. I've trapped them in deep water where the bank was steep. Deep enough so if I were to step in the run the water would have been deeper than my chest waders. I placed the conibear with a long stick with a hook on one end. Couldn't see, so had to do it by braille. Any trapping supply house should have the 330's, get yourself a setting tool too. I can't compress the springs without one. Word of caution. Buy a conibear 120 and get familiar with how to set them. Be DANG sure your hands and fingers are out of harms way when you set them. They might break bones..... Check. In some states this size trap has to be covered with water at all times. The traps are STRONG. I caught a beaver that was probably over 60 pounds once. I held the base of it's tail at my belt and it's nose was barely off the ground. But, my legs are short, I have a 30" inseam in my pants. The Conibear caught it right behind the ears and it never moved the trap from the run. DRT. I have a feeling the tunnels are longer at ponds/lakes that have water level fluctuations so they can stay "high and dry" in their den if the water levels rise. wadphotos.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/beavers-digging-in-banks.pdf |
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Post by bartiks on Mar 7, 2018 4:50:09 GMT -5
Well with that being said are there any tell tale signs that I need to be on the look out for? Will there be a groove cut into the soil where they enter and exit and further more can I just cram a crock or something up in the hole to seal him in there? I am really starting to dislike these critters the more I learn about them. I absolutely had no idea they bore into the bank. Thanks for the enlightening posts.
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Post by freedomhunter on Mar 7, 2018 9:49:01 GMT -5
I would get with Hoosier Trapper Supply and order what they recommend, they probably have an instructional video, also. I used to help a buddy trap them using drowning sets and the big ones can pull up your stuff and that gets spendy if you don't double/cross stake and use correct equipment.
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Post by esshup on Mar 7, 2018 11:20:46 GMT -5
Think of a muskrat on steroids. They make a half tunnel in the bottom of the pond to get deeper water to go into the bank most times. Yes on Hoosier Trapper Supply.
Rocks won't do anything except get you tired.
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Post by onebentarrow on Mar 7, 2018 12:19:15 GMT -5
Go to trapperman.com and search bever trapping. There is more info there on trapping then you can believe. They have tips and tricks,will tell you how to skin the castor glands out (this year they were selling for $40 +a pound) when and where to use bait sticks and what kind,how to use food bait sticks. When where and how to place traps and why. There are even guys from Indiana you could probbly pm and talk to that trap bever in Indians that would give you information.
Best place for trapping information on the net. Check it out.
Onebentarrow
PS. There is even some recipes for cooking bever if you are game. Bever is GREAT tasting meat. A lot like beef. Even vedios on YouTube about cooking it. Some good stuff I tell you.
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Post by oldhoyt on Mar 7, 2018 16:41:24 GMT -5
If you do go on youtube, don't use "eating beaver" as your search phrase, just saying.
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Post by bartiks on Mar 7, 2018 19:51:34 GMT -5
Thank you for all the replies, as for what phrases I use, I have to really think being I'm on a work computer. Thank you once again.
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Post by duff on Mar 8, 2018 5:39:18 GMT -5
I didn't read everything but my advice is if the bank den is not obvious to you just watch the lake a few days and narrow down the highest activity. They will show you where the entries are. Then go look for well worn trails. The evidence will depend on the characteristics of the lake. If heavy silt or weedy look for a well worn trail. If deep water maybe set castor mound or other bait sets.
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