How to Find & Catch a Beaver

Tracking and catching beavers can be challenging since these animals frequently are in and out of water. Once you figure out how to track them, setting up a trap is simple. Whether you are hunting them for survival or pelts, the best time to look for beavers is in the fall as they are preparing for winter, either in the early morning or at night.

Things You'll Need

• Beaver trap
• Sturdy string or wire
• Logs
• Willow branches
• Poplar oil
• Gloves, if desired
• Rock or tree branch

Instructions

1. Look for beavers around bodies of water. Once you are near a body of water, keep an eye out for fallen trees. The shape of the trees will be different than a regular fallen tree, as the beaver trims it to an hourglass shape. Next, look for beaver tracks around these fallen trees. The tracks will appear as small feet with five toes, with much larger back feet not far behind. There should be minimal claw marks, and the tracks may show webbing.

2. Follow the beaver tracks once you find them, whether it is to or from the edge of the water. Tracks are usually 7 to 10 inches in between the foot prints. If there are several tracks back and forth, this is an ideal place to set up a beaver trap. Search for areas with multiple tracks that shows the beaver going to and from his home for supplies or food.

3. Decide where you want to set up the trap. The ideal place is in an open area in a very shallow part of the water where the beaver is entering and exiting. Set down the beaver trap here (these usually look like suitcases that can be up to 40 inches long). Position the trigger 5 inches under water so that smaller animals that swim above it won't trigger it.

4. Find some willow tree branches that are a 1/2-inch thick and about 12 inches long. Set a couple of these branches along the shoreline in front of the trap, and drop some poplar oil on the branches. This oil attracts beavers.

5. Find some small logs that are a couple of feet long and position them around the entrance to the trap. Block the entrance to the water around the trap, so that the beaver must walk to the water where the trap is.

6. Tie some sturdy string or wire to either side of the trap, and anchor it under a rock or to a tree branch so it won't float away. Wait to catch a beaver, and check the trap daily.

References

• How to Make Beaver Traps