Creating a Lake

[3RRL]

That is a great photo Eddie, something I haven't seen yet around my place.
We seem to get the same herd in and out of here as they make their way to the river.
Seen several in the meadow in front of camp, but no fawns.

 

[EddieWalker]

Sunday morning, I was up early to see what I could see. It was a bust at my feeder, where my game cam is getting allot of pics of some nice hogs, so I took a walk down to Lake Marabou. I was still on the road to it when I noticed movement on the dam. I saw hogs, but didn't know how many. I just lifted the camera, zoomed in a bit and took this one picture before they were gone.

I really got lucky on this picture and think it's one of the nicest ones that I've ever taken. I just love the way it's framed, how tranquil the water looks and how the hogs look on my dam. I'm probably 300 yards away, which I think adds to the depth in the picture.

Anyway, I think it's worth sharing.

Eddie

 

[Tororider]

Great picture, what kind of camera do you have? That is definitely frame-able. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tony123]

For a quick lift the camera and shoot, that is a fantastic photo.

 

[philbuilt]

Eddie,
Excellent shot. it is now my back ground on the laptop.
How's the weather?

Phil

 

[patrick_g]

I bet I could have hit 2-3 before they made cover using my new 6.5mm Creedmoor. Low recoil fast followup shots.

What was the range? The 6.5 Creedmoor was developed by Hornady for reaching out to 1000 yds.

Pat

 

[EddieWalker]

Toro,

Thank you. The camera is Steph's. It's a Cannon S2 that has a 12 optical zoom. It's really a nice camera and we both highly recomend it. When we were looking for a good camera, I started a thread on what to buy. Several guys recomened the Cannon, and everything we read about it was what we were looking for.

Last month, we had a party with Steph's Uncle and Dad here with Digital SLR cameras that cost three times as much as hers. They are both very good photographers and they spend allot of time taking all sorts of pics. When they were about to leave, they downloaded their pics, which were very nice and allot of fun to see, but they were not as bright or as clear as what Steph took with her camers. The S2 is not an SLR, but one unit with a very big and POWERFUL zoom lens.

Tony,

Thank you. It really was pure luck on my part that it even turned out.

Phil,

Thank you. It's also the background picture on my screen.

We're getting some light rain right now from the Tropical Storm Edouard, but nothing to brag about. It's just cooled things off and settled the dust.

Patrick,

Off the top of my head, I'd guess that it was over 300 yards. The big one is probably 150 pounds, but the others are in the 60 to 70 pound range with the piglets around ten pounds. I've seen them again, and allot closer yesterday morning.

I've made shots that long, but not off hand and not at animals that small and moving. From the time I saw them, I had enough time for one picture and they were gone. Maybe five seconds.

Eddie

 

[RobS]

Neat shot Eddie, at first I thought the one closest to the camera was a predator but it's just a straggler. Do they have any natural predators? Next time try to get them facing you! Great place you have there. Are wild hog roasts planned for the campground?

 

[bindian]

Eddie,
Your right. It sure looks tranquil.
hugs, Brandi

 

[EddieWalker]

Do they have any natural predators?

A mountain lion will kill them and do when there are no deer or small animals around, but from what I understand, it's not their first choice. I do have allot of coyotes and I'm sure they enjoy a piglet when they can catch one, but momma hog is pretty protective. We usually see half a dozen piglets with a momma group, and only seeing two in that picture and the other times I've seen that group tells me that she probably lost a few to predators. Probably coyotes. Once they get a few months old, they are pretty much top of the food chain. Their hides and especially shoulder/neck area is so thick that nothing is going to hurt them.

Eddie

 

[patrick_g]

Patrick,

Off the top of my head, I'd guess that it was over 300 yards. The big one is probably 150 pounds, but the others are in the 60 to 70 pound range with the piglets around ten pounds. I've seen them again, and allot closer yesterday morning.

I've made shots that long, but not off hand and not at animals that small and moving. From the time I saw them, I had enough time for one picture and they were gone. Maybe five seconds.

Eddie

Well, that may have been a challenge. The 300 yds or better is not a problem for the optics or the rifle but 5 seconds is not much time for multiple targets, even with a semi-auto and firing from a book depository or grassy knoll.

Of course if you fed them with a timer you could later make an "appointment" for them with destiny (and a BBQ pit.)

Pat

 

[Defective]

Dam Eddie!

(Sorry...couldn't resist...)

That's not a dam. It's a naturally occurring part of the landscape. Ya done good.

 

[3RRL]

Eddie,
That is about the prettiest photo I've seen of your place yet excluding those of Steph, you and the kids, of course.

 

[rox]

Eddie, You'll give Steph a run for the money in the photo department and she's pretty good we have seen her pics here. I went back 3 times and clicked on it. It really is a great pic.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you everyone for the kind words.

Looks like I have a little problem with beavers. We've been seeing trails of something coming and going from the creek to the pond, but haven't known what it was. I though beavers because I saw one dead on the side of the road over the winter about a mile away from here, so I know we have beavers in the area. Who ever saw a beaver road kill? hahaha

Then while mowing around Lake Marabou, which I've sort of let go lately due to breakdowns and other priorities, I noticed small trees that have been eaten away by beavers. Those spikes sticking up out of the ground are a dead giveaway that they are here. Now it's getting worse, and they are eating the bark off of some of my bigger trees. One in particular has me really upset, and I'm worried that it will die from the damage.

I didn't take any pictures yet, but will and post them here so that everyone can see them.

Does anybody have any experience with getting rid of beavers?

Eddie

 

[MarkV]

Eddie you want to get to work on those Beaver right away. Besides the damage they will do to your trees they are most likely digging dens into the sides of your pond and dam. I have several places where my shore line was collapsing due to beaver dens. Trapping is the most effective way to get them and in many areas you can find people that will set traps for you to get the pelts. I have dogs that like to explore any hole they can find so a 22 has been my Beaver control method. The problem is that they are mostly nocturnal and can be hard to hunt. Find yourself a place to sit just as the sun is setting for your best chance. You will want to check you state regulations about shooting them. Here in Georgia they are a real problem and we are encouraged to shoot but I understand some states almost protect them.

MarkV

 

[patrick_g]

Does anybody have any experience with getting rid of beavers?

Eddie

Trap and shoot. Regulations? Don't ask, don't tell. Just trap and shoot.

Some places will send a "state guy" to trap them. Some folks will trap for the pelts. Some states regulate the kind of traps and set methods.

Conibear traps set in their runs are effective and humane. Quick kill. Leg hold traps set so the animal gets in the trap while underwater are quick and humane but much more hassle to set and check.

I got a little collateral damage. I got 2 turtles and two armadillos while getting 4-5 beaver. Seems acceptable to me. They present a small target while swimming (part of a head) but if you can get a good down angle on them they are an easy target. A good down angle makes a rifle safe and eliminates ricochet problems off the water. Otherwise I recommend a shotgun. A .22 will get 'er done but given a chance I will try out the 6.5mm Creedmoor.

Those monsters will girdle a tree and it is good as dead. This is not something to put off. I have stumps that are 3 ft in diameter where they cut the tree down. I don't begrudge them a bunch of willow saplings but my big nice trees are too few and far between to let them have their way.

Put a big conibear trap in the beaver path. lay some branches along side to form a funnel to sort of "herd" the animal toward the trap. Works good. I stake the trap to the ground for just in case but have always got a quick kill.

They instinctively react to the sound of rushing water and try to plug the flow. As a result they will plug the drain pipe of ponds and culverts too sometimes. That is NOT a good thing.

Good luck man, those monsters can just ruin your good work if you let them.

Pat

 

[MPrewitt]

Eddie,

I also have a beaver problem, I have a creek that only has water in it during the rainy season, so right now it is bone dry. But in the winter months is flows really well, righ up to the beaver dam(s) they built two in this creek about 20 feet apart and in the winter I have a pond about 2 feet deep thats about 3/4 to an acre in size.

A friend of mine had a couple of traps that he set out (he wanted the pelts)and caught 5 in about a two week period. Then the season ended so he pulled up his traps.

In texas we have a season on trapping beaver if you want the pelts, but if you are neusance (hope its spelled right) trapping and do not take the pelts there is no season you can do it all year long.

When we finally get moved in I will start to work on getting rid of all them I can.

 

[EddieWalker]

Is there a link on how to trap them?

I don't have a clue where to buy a trap, what type of trap to buy and the biggest mystery, what do you bait them with???????

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[MPrewitt]

He bought his at Horaney's in longview, he said there is also one in Tyler.

Toset the taps he had he would tear out a top section of the dam (1 foot wide) to get the water flowing then set the trap in the creek at the mouth of the section he had tore open, they were held in place by sticks and stuff.

When the beavers would arrive to seal off the dam (at night) they would stick there head into the trap and trigger it. Lights out for the beaver. But after a few kills they started packing mud and sticks around the trap sealing it into the dam.

He also placed one in the creek where the beavers had their enty slides to the creek and caught one as well.

He also caught on 3 1/2 foot water moccison. It was in about three pieces when he found it.

He sid you would not want to place one of these traps on land where you could catch a family pet or your neighbors pet.