How to Set a Beaver Trap
Beavers gather wood in order to build dams to stop up the water. This helps them find their food, and protects them from predators. Sometimes, beavers cause problems by stopping a stream's flow, and knocking trees down. If a beaver is ruining your landscape, consider trapping and moving it. Some traps are designed to kill the beaver, while others hold onto the animal's leg. It is most humane to trap the beaver in a steel cage in order to set them free elsewhere.
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Instructions
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Determine the beaver's trail. Watch to see where the beaver goes; the area with the most damage will help determine where the animal goes most often.
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Set the trap in the beaver's trail. If you choose to place the trap near the dam, place the bottom part of the trap underneath the water. The trap will close like a suitcase once the trigger is touched.
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Place logs on each side of a cage trap. You want to make the beaver believe that the cage trap is part of their trail. Place branches and pieces of wood on top of the trap to camouflage it.
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Hide the bottom part of the cage trap by placing leaves and smaller pieces of wood inside the cage. This will only be necessary if the trap is set up on land, rather than in the water.
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Use poplar tree bark to bring the beaver into the trap. Place the carved wood chips onto the trigger of the trap. Be very careful to make sure the trap doesn't close on you. Poplar trees have a certain scent that beavers love.
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Tips & Warnings
Tie the poplar tree chips to the trigger so that they will stay put.
When the beaver is captured, it may be very angry. Be careful when handling the cage with the beaver inside it.
