Snow Equipment Owning/Operating beavers have cut down 4 trees this year

[N80]

It frustrates me that people tend to romanticize 'nature' and suppose that just because it is an animal or just because it is natural that it is somehow good. Beavers are one of the best examples of how this is simply not the case. Beavers are destructive and not just from a human perspective. They destroy far beyond their need for food and habitat. Yes, its natural, but no, it isn't good. There's no warm fuzzy about it.

I've had beavers on my place for 10 years now. We've trapped and shot them but have not ever really slowed them down. They are cutting and eating hundreds of my smaller planted pines. I can live with that. But they have also ringed nearly a hundred good sized to huge hardwoods in one of my valleys. They have all died. They did not use them for a dam or for a lodge, just for the 4-6 inch ring around the base of the tree.

I've given up on trying to get rid of them. But I'll still shoot everyone of them I see.

 

[merrickvilleguy]

can anyone say connibear =)

 

[flyingcow]

That is funny.

We were trying to shoot them wiht the 17 but could not find them swimming when we were ready. however in broad daylight, one swam right in the pond in front of the house, while company was there. could not shoot htem then. It would have been an easy shot I think.

Best to shoot 'em at dusk, or after dark on a clear night. Very smart creatures, make your shots count. Not easy to shoot and kill one. Takes alot of time and patience. At first, you'll get a couple of good shots, than they will be more cautious.(this may take many nights) Best to find a trapper, even if you got to give 'em a few dollars per head, well worth it. If you use a live trap, kick it over into the water, or shoot 'em. Should not relocate, not a very nice thing to do. They've ruined hundreds of thousands of acres up here. Caused some serious road erosion.

 

[N80]

can anyone say connibear =)

We used Connibear traps. Effective at first but then harder and harder to catch them. Also, they are dangerous. They will break your arm. They will also catch snapping turtles, otters and dogs. We finally gave up on the traps.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Yeah, I used to trap as a kid. Fur trade got me a couple of bucks a week; but even setting them right I'd get by-catch which is wasteful as ****. I don't tolerate it with fisheries, so why should I tolerate it with trapping? (Skunks don't pay enough for the misery of removing them from traps!) At least with hunting I know exactly what I'm shooting and why I'm shooting them.

And depending on your state, you may have to keep an eye out for the game wardens. They can get really persnickety about "harvesting" nuisance animals that are fur bearers or game animals; up to fines, jail time, and seizure of your hunting equipment. Even just dealing with a JP and court fees is a royal pain in the butt.

 

[riptides]

I have had better luck and less time wasted with the Connibear traps than shooting. And I am a most excellent shooter.

As noted earlier though, the traps need to be set properly and one should be extra carefull in deployment of them.

Trapping to me is set and forget. While shooting is more of a hunting investment.

Either way, unfortunate they have become a pest.

 

[merrickvilleguy]

Ya with traps you really have to watch yourself, they can hurt something fierce if you don't watch yourself or you dont know how to set them properly.

As for the randomness factor, it is part of the game, and be prepared to process anything that isn't a beaver ... I use the not so nice stuff for bait for yotes circle of life style

 

[lduren]

The way to kill a beaver is using a ground blind. You will be able to find one on sale as hunting season will come to close shortly. Cut some shooting lanes set the blind up and leave it for a week or so. Get in it early with a red spotlight and an acurate rifle. .22mag .223 22.250 .17 hmr you get the idea. Shoot the beaver when it's on the mound, ground or in shallow water. Head shot is critical. got to stop him in his track or it gets hard. Remember... killin a beaver with a rifle is a no-no. So don't go posting any pictures or you'll meet the game warden.
Might seem like a lot of trouble but it taste's better than duck and easier to prepare. Some people will spend all weekend tryin to kill a song dog and you can't eat a song dog... or at least I won't. Take some and leave some and the beavers will move on and be none the worse for it.

That is a good idea. I have to find their hideout where the water flows into it. I can take the chain saw to cut the lanes after finding their home.

 

[lduren]

It frustrates me that people tend to romanticize 'nature' and suppose that just because it is an animal or just because it is natural that it is somehow good. Beavers are one of the best examples of how this is simply not the case. Beavers are destructive and not just from a human perspective. They destroy far beyond their need for food and habitat. Yes, its natural, but no, it isn't good. There's no warm fuzzy about it.

I've had beavers on my place for 10 years now. We've trapped and shot them but have not ever really slowed them down. They are cutting and eating hundreds of my smaller planted pines. I can live with that. But they have also ringed nearly a hundred good sized to huge hardwoods in one of my valleys. They have all died. They did not use them for a dam or for a lodge, just for the 4-6 inch ring around the base of the tree.

I've given up on trying to get rid of them. But I'll still shoot everyone of them I see.

Our land is planted with pine trees, but they have not cut any down. There are bigger ones on one side, about 12 - 15" diameter and smaller ones on the oter side, about 6 " or so.

 

[lduren]

Best to shoot 'em at dusk, or after dark on a clear night. Very smart creatures, make your shots count. Not easy to shoot and kill one. Takes alot of time and patience. At first, you'll get a couple of good shots, than they will be more cautious.(this may take many nights) Best to find a trapper, even if you got to give 'em a few dollars per head, well worth it. If you use a live trap, kick it over into the water, or shoot 'em. Should not relocate, not a very nice thing to do. They've ruined hundreds of thousands of acres up here. Caused some serious road erosion.

Dad talked to a trapper who charged $2500 per year to take them out. We were advised not to do this, because a trapper could catch one, and show it to all of his clients.