The Ultimate Tractor Implement!!

[BobG_in_VA]

I have battled many a beaver in my day. They don't go down without a fight.

Got any Pictures??? (LOL) Bobg in Va

 

[ovrszd]

Naw! We're talking a "river" here not a "crik"! Besides, I take serious offense to you calling my pals "rodents"! I'll try to calm their nerves and explain you just had your species a bit confused.

I wish I had a picture with me to back up this claim, but, I once photographed a beaver dam that was 175 feet long and four feet high, damming a constantly flowing river. I often wondered how many there were on that crew!!!!

 

[Thomas]

Morning Ken.
Those beavers are smart little buggers that's for sure,and I agree about the moose (over here in NH we call them swamp donkeys) one power animal more so this time of year...yikes...another animal would be a great helper would be groundhog digging fence pole holes.

 

[jinman]

Morning Ken.
...another animal would be a great helper would be groundhog digging fence pole holes.

And moles to till your garden, then leave and go somewhere else.

 

[K7147]

Morning Ken.
Those beavers are smart little buggers that's for sure,and I agree about the moose (over here in NH we call them swamp donkeys) one power animal more so this time of year...yikes...another animal would be a great helper would be groundhog digging fence pole holes.

Good Morning to you Thomas!

I sure am glad someone gave my furry pals some credit for intelligence. Some people forget that at one time the entire economy of North America depended on those little guys. Over generations the beavers on our river have probably learned that between the swift river current and spring flooding that creating cross-river dams is a futile task. They tend to keep to the river bank…and thus their local name.

I guess my thoughts are that if we did away with the beavers because they build dams, the river otters that occasionally feed in my trout pond, the deer that nip a shrub or two, the moose that tramples my grass, and the squirrels that raid the bird feeders…….We’d lose all our entertainment and a prime reason for living here. Given the choice of watching a bald eagle catching his meal or witnessing highway commuter “road rage”…I’d opt for the feathered guy every time!

Well, off to see how much work my furred pals did during the night. Got to teach them to flatten out those “pointy” log ends so as they are awkward in the splitter…

 

[N80]

I have a different view regarding the beaver. I have a biology degree, I've been a bird watcher for years, consider myself an amatuer naturalist and a conservationist, so please don't mistake me for an animal hater. I was told by a wildlife biologist to nip the probelm in the bud and trap them right away. Well, I wanted to be a do-gooder too and I didn't do anything. Well, now I am currently in all out combat with the beavers on my place....and for those who don't like that, don't worry, I'm losing.

I don't mind the occasional dam on the creek. It usually doesn't back up enough to kill and trees but it does stagnate my pond a little. No big deal. I don't get worked up about the hundreds of little (planted) pines they cut down and strip. They were planted for timber, but I'm willing to share. I'm not too concerned that every larger pine around the pond (10 acres) has been cut down into the water. I don't like any of that, but I can live with it.

But for all you folks that think the beaver is just another animal with its own little niche in the ecosystem, you are deluding yourself. The thing that finally pushed my benevolence over the edge was that they are ringing trees in my creek bottom and valleys. I'm not talking about 10 inch diameter trees. I'm talking about trees two men can barely get their arms around. The beavers eat the bark from the ground to about 18 inches up, completely ringing the tree. The entire rest of the tree is left to die. Man is about the only other species you can accuse of that sort of wanton waste of living resources. In one valley alone they have rung over 30 humongous trees. All dead or dying now. And before you ecologists suggest that these trees will make good habitat for wood ducks, woodpeckers, blue birds etc. Nope. Most of them are gums. And while the gum isn't the most desirable tree in the world these trees were major canopy trees, probably 75 years old. When they die, they crumble and fall apart. No good for nesting. Just complete and utter waste.

We've trapped some. I've shot a few. (I'm a good rifle shot but have a heck of a time hitting a swimming beaver). But the damage goes on and they are now working up the creek bottom. If they start ringing my wonderful 75 year old white oaks I will hire someone to take care of them.

But I'm not sure that a prfessional trapper would have any better luck. As soon as you get rid of them, more come back. They have a make-shift lodge but I don't know how to destroy it. I doubt unlicensed folks can get hold of dynamite anymore.

I'm trying to put a good spin on all this. Maybe opening up the canopy by getting rid of gums (that's all they've hit so far, maybe my white oaks, sycamores and hickorys will fill the gap.

 

[jmc]

The thing that finally pushed my benevolence over the edge was that they are ringing trees in my creek bottom and valleys.

Good point. I had a creek whose path was stabilized by the trees along it. The beaver moved in, girdled those trees, and now the creek is free to wander all over that bottom.

 

[K7147]

I have a different view regarding the beaver. I have a biology degree, I've been a bird watcher for years, consider myself an amatuer naturalist and a conservationist, so please don't mistake me for an animal hater. I was told by a wildlife biologist to nip the probelm in the bud and trap them right away. Well, I wanted to be a do-gooder too and I didn't do anything. Well, now I am currently in all out combat with the beavers on my place....and for those who don't like that, don't worry, I'm losing.

I don't mind the occasional dam on the creek. It usually doesn't back up enough to kill and trees but it does stagnate my pond a little. No big deal. I don't get worked up about the hundreds of little (planted) pines they cut down and strip. They were planted for timber, but I'm willing to share. I'm not too concerned that every larger pine around the pond (10 acres) has been cut down into the water. I don't like any of that, but I can live with it.

But for all you folks that think the beaver is just another animal with its own little niche in the ecosystem, you are deluding yourself. The thing that finally pushed my benevolence over the edge was that they are ringing trees in my creek bottom and valleys. I'm not talking about 10 inch diameter trees. I'm talking about trees two men can barely get their arms around. The beavers eat the bark from the ground to about 18 inches up, completely ringing the tree. The entire rest of the tree is left to die. Man is about the only other species you can accuse of that sort of wanton waste of living resources. In one valley alone they have rung over 30 humongous trees. All dead or dying now. And before you ecologists suggest that these trees will make good habitat for wood ducks, woodpeckers, blue birds etc. Nope. Most of them are gums. And while the gum isn't the most desirable tree in the world these trees were major canopy trees, probably 75 years old. When they die, they crumble and fall apart. No good for nesting. Just complete and utter waste.

We've trapped some. I've shot a few. (I'm a good rifle shot but have a heck of a time hitting a swimming beaver). But the damage goes on and they are now working up the creek bottom. If they start ringing my wonderful 75 year old white oaks I will hire someone to take care of them.

But I'm not sure that a prfessional trapper would have any better luck. As soon as you get rid of them, more come back. They have a make-shift lodge but I don't know how to destroy it. I doubt unlicensed folks can get hold of dynamite anymore.

I'm trying to put a good spin on all this. Maybe opening up the canopy by getting rid of gums (that's all they've hit so far, maybe my white oaks, sycamores and hickorys will fill the gap.

Hello George!

I appreciate your erudite response and sympathize with the particular problem you have with respect to beavers on your own property. There is no doubt that the little devils sometimes cause wanton destruction and do indeed “girdle” a tree such that it eventually dies. It also appears that you’ve displayed a good deal of latitude with respect to your attitude towards them.

That said, it is our species that is supposed to have superior cognitive abilities. George, you simply have to “out think” them little critters! The beaver is simply following his natural instincts by attempting to obtain food and shelter in a comfortable habitat. Wild animals are very adaptive and respond to natural or unnatural (bullets) loss of their numbers by having larger litters. If removed from a “perfect” habitat they will indeed return. I’ve even seen a large beaver lodge completely destroyed using grappling hooks and cable hooked to a dozer…..only to have the lodge rebuilt in less than a week!

You have my sympathies and I suggest one of four courses of action: 1. Somehow modify their habitat such that it isn’t so “perfect” for them. 2. Learn to live with the problem. 3. Move. 4. See if you can locate a very small and quiet “nuke” that won’t spread radiation a great distance!

Again, thank you for the response and I sincerely hope that harmony eventually returns to your property.

Ken

 

[N80]

That said, it is our species that is supposed to have superior cognitive abilities.

You'e giving me far too much credit.

You have my sympathies and I suggest one of four courses of action: 1. Somehow modify their habitat such that it isn’t so “perfect” for them.

I think they will eventually accomplish that themselves. I hear the Great Sahara Forest is a prime example. But, its a 1/4 mile of creekbottom with a 10 acre pond on 250 acres. Not much I can do to modifiy it outside of clear cutting. Boy,_that_ would show them! Do we have a smiley of Yosemite Sam?

2. Learn to live with the problem.

I can live with it. It reallty isn't costing me anything. But it is quite painful to look across the lake and see what looks like a whole valley that has been poisoned. I'm conservative by nature and the waste in this situation is appalling. and even though beavers are 'natural', there is no real way to look at that sort of waste as good by any standard that I can think of.

3. Move.

I could make a financial killing by selling this place right now. But there's more to it than money and tree eating rodents. Home is where the heart is.

4. See if you can locate a very small and quiet “nuke” that won’t spread radiation a great distance!

Kim Jung Il and I are currently in talks about that but ***** Bin Laden keeps out bidding me.


In all seriousness though, the state wildlife biologist down the road says that you can get rid of them with a diligent trapping program. He actually does this on several state lakes as part of his job. I've got the traps, I've just got to do it right and be willing to put the work into it.....or hire him.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

...
I can live with it. It reallty isn't costing me anything. But it is quite painful to look across the lake and see what looks like a whole valley that has been poisoned. I'm conservative by nature and the waste in this situation is appalling. and even though beavers are 'natural', there is no real way to look at that sort of waste as good by any standard that I can think of.
...

Now, George, are you trying to tell us that those "natural" critters aren't "living in harmony with nature"? I thought is was only the **** sapiens natural critters that didn't live harmoniously with nature.