Note that, in states that have a season for beaver trapping, the season usually extends from about November or December to, at latest, about March or April. Beaver pelts are at their best during the winter months.
Additionally, though beaver were nearly hunted to extinction in Europe, they can now be found in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and several other Eastern European countries.
Another sign of beaver presence is felled trees. Trees that have been felled by beaver leave stumps with a cone-like point, rather than the flat cross-section a chainsaw would leave or the sideways jagged cut from an axe. If you spot a beaver lodge or dam, look for a well-worn beaver path. Beavers can repeatedly take the exact same route to and from their structures, leaving a defined trail on the structure itself or in the surrounding area. These paths are an ideal spot to lay your trap.
When you lay the trap down, look for two springs - one on each side of the central “square”. If the two wing-like springs are pointing to the inside of the trap, turn the springs to the outside of the trap so that the rounded end of each points away from the central “square” jaws.
When the spring is compressed, set the safety catch. This is usually a small hook attached to the spring itself, which keeps the spring compressed while you complete the rest of the steps necessary to set the trap. Warning - once one spring is compressed, you should consider the trap “live”, as its jaws can now snap together with force if it’s sprung. Whether you’re using setting tongs or not, use caution when handling the trap from this point forward.
The dog is a toothed or notched piece that secures the trap’s jaws together when it’s set. Essentially, it holds the trap open until it’s sprung. The trigger is a thin, whisker-like piece that’s used to spring the trap. The whisker hangs down between the jaws. When a beaver walks through the trap, it pushes on the trigger, releasing the dog and causing the jaws to swing shut.
Set a foothold trap in the shallow water at the edge of a lake or stream at a spot where a beaver path meets the water (called a “slide”). Though it should be in shallow water so that the beaver steps on the trap rather than swims over it, the water must be deep enough to drown the animal - usually about 8–10 inches (20. 3–25. 4 cm) of water will do. Additionally, because you want the beaver to trigger the trap by stepping on it, set your trap off-center (about 6 inches) in the slide. If you set it in the center, the beaver may simply walk over the trap without stepping on it.
For beaver, use a stake to drive the chain into the earth as far away from the trap itself as the length of the chain will allow. Stake the chain in the water, not on land. Use a deep, strong, sturdy stake. You don’t want to give the beaver any slack in the chain that will allow it to move towards land once the trap is sprung. Bad stake placement can allow the beaver to reach a spot where it can breathe once the trap is sprung, prolonging its suffering.
For some models of foothold trap, you may find it easier and safer to set the trap on the ground, compress the springs by stepping on them, and then bend over and do the rest of the steps, keeping the springs compressed with your feet.
Ideally, your pan should sit level in the trap, not slanted up. If you need to make an adjustment to the pan, be sure to work under the loose jaw of the trap. Never, ever reach between the jaws to make an adjustment. Note also that some types of foothold traps allow you to adjust the tension in the pan so that it only triggers under a certain amount of weight. For beaver, 4-5 pounds is ideal, as this keeps the trap sensitive while allowing you to avoid smaller animals.
Note that live traps come in several varieties. Many of the most common are metal, box-like traps with doors at either end, but other types of live traps, including traps that resemble suitcases, are used. The steps in this section refer to the common box variety.
In terms of baits, many trappers use castor scent, a commercially-available fluid naturally produced by beavers to mark their territory.
Additionally, on the off chance that a killing trap does not instantly kill its intended target, you’ll want to be able to release the animal or put it out of its misery as soon as you can.
In rural areas, people sometimes let their dogs wander within a few miles of their home. Be very conservative when setting your traps - most cautious trappers won’t use traps within several miles of any residence.
Obviously, don’t attempt to do this when the trap is armed. Instead, do it as you’re arming the trap.
One common law in virtually all jurisdictions is that you may not trap beavers (or, for that matter, any animal) on someone else’s private property without their express permission.
