How to Make a Beaver Trap

If you have a pesky beaver trying to set up a new home in your river or stream, trap it. Once you have caught the intruder your local animal control can assist you with relocation. Follow these steps to make a beaver trap.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• heavy gauge wire fencing
• 1-by-1 inch lumber
• Heavy gauge wire
• Hinges
• Old suitcase (for shape only)

1. Mold wire fencing over the suitcase so that all sides have an equal amount of fencing. To secure the molded shape you can weld the corners to make the shape of the suitcase.
2. Trim off excess fencing with heavy gauge wire cutters. After the excess is removed you should be able set the molded frame on the floor and it will look like a box turned upside down. This will be the top of your trap.
3. Measure the opening of your top frame. You will need to make a "lid" that measures the same size as the opening. To do this simply measure the fencing to match the same size and cut to fit.
4. Attach 1-by-1 inch lumber to frame the opening of the box and frame the perimeter of the lid. Use heavy gauge wire to wrap around the boards and through the holes in the fencing to secure properly.
5. Screw the hinges to the boards to resemble a suitcase. When this is completed you will have a beaver trap that looks like a shallow box shape.
6. Place the beaver trap on a beaver mound or the shoreline with the lid on the ground and the "box" propped up with sticks. Use debarked sticks that have been soaked in poplar oil.

Tips & Warnings

• When propping the trap up with sticks, be sure to arrange the sticks so when the beaver grabs them the box will close on the beaver trapping him.