First Beaver

[alder]

I finally got back to trying for that beaver that eluded me last month, and some of you may remember I learned in the process about how/where not to set a snare. I felt pretty lousy about that, but I got back at it. I could not find a house, and figured the house must be on an adjacent piece of land where I have no access or they are denning up in the bank of the slough and I just couldn't tell where. Maybe some of you can tell me about bank dens. Anyways, I set a hanging 330 underwater with some poplar in the jaws on what I thought was an area of activity, right under the ice where a beaver had popped up and chewed on a tree it had felled earlier in the season. It was only 2-3 feet deep. I also put some Hawbaker's beaver lure in the set. Maybe that was overkill, you can tell me if you think it was, but this am 3 days later, low and behold it felt like Christmas...

54lbs.

[Tfng]

That's a nice beaver! I'm glad you decided to go after him again and shared it with us! Have you got it put up yet? I know my first one took what seemed like forever to finish.

[Torkdiesel]

Good work sir ! Congrats

[Hydro1]

Very nice first beaver alder, congrats.

[bill9044]

Make sure you pull those castors they'd be worth something.

Nice beaver!

Last time I said that I got slapped.

[alder]

I got him up. It took me a long time and it's not perfect. I put a couple of cuts on the hide that I had to sew up but I'm happy with him anyways. Thanks guys. I like the smell of beaver. Is that strange?

[bill9044]

That just means trapping is in your blood. My old man hates the smell of beaver. He isn't a trapper. Since beavers aren't worth much he figures why bother. I'd rather smell a beaver than stinky coyotes.

[Tfng]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes the smell lol. Way better than coyotes.

[wallydog]

for your first beaver you did a good job putting it up

[Whitetail200]

Fellas , agree nice beaver alder & good job putting it up but as far as smells & odours a trapper is exposed to a lot , just part of the business .

[H380]

Nice catch and good job of putting him up . Lots of work for little pay but at least theres no fleas ..lol . Yes there's lots of smells in the trapping world worse than beaver .

[waterninja]

Congrats on your first beaver. Hope you reset trap for #2.

[alder]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Hope you reset trap for #2.

I did! Here he is.

[alder]

52 lbs.

[HunterDave]

Good job, alder!

[bill9044]

Good deal one would assume you snabed the breeding pair. Did you reset a 3rd. Also can you weight the castors. I think they were approx 4$ an ounce. Please correct me someone if my numbers are off. I sent in castors for this up coming auction.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by bill9044

I think they were approx 4$ an ounce. Please correct me someone if my numbers are off. I sent in castors for this up coming auction.

I got $4.22/ounce for #1 CLN castoreum at the last auction.

[alder]

Originally Posted by bill9044

Good deal one would assume you snabed the breeding pair. Did you reset a 3rd. Also can you weight the castors. I think they were approx 4$ an ounce. Please correct me someone if my numbers are off. I sent in castors for this up coming auction.

I pulled the castors but have no idea how much they weigh. I don't have a small scale.

I did not set again, and not sure if I got the breeding pair or not. The area I got them in is absolutely destroyed by beavers. I would say there are over 30 large aspens 10" diameter that have been downed in a 100 yard stretch of river in addition to dozens of smaller trees that have been chewed down. So I think there are more beavers to be found there but not sure of that.

[alder]

Still a few nicks and some sewing in the process on #2

[bill9044]

Looks good no real nicks where it really matters. Although it is hard to sell beavers at auction I'd send it in anyhow.
I have 2 # I* beavers labeled there and haven't sold for the past 3 auctions not sure if they are trying to hold back for a better price or what but both were unsold. Also I received a check for 2 beavers for a total of $35.36. That was in sept. The bait was worth all the work. I caught 3 marten and numerous coyotes off those beavers.
Good luck and congrats on the beavs.

[HunterDave]

Bill, the NAFA auction newsletter stated that they held back the smaller sized beaver last auction due to lower expected prices. I Had an XL *I sell for Cdn $40 and a L one held back.

[alder]

If the prices are so low right now, I might prefer to spend a little and have them turned into mitts or a hat. Does anyone know if there is someone in the province who does that?

[dr4ke571]

Great job that is a nice beaver

[HunterDave]

Prices may be low in comparison to coyotes when you take in account the work involved with putting up beaver but still worth it IMO. Pelt $20(not sure what the average was), castors $10 and carcass $20 = $50/beaver. For me it's worth trapping them between the end of coyote season and beginning of the Spring breakup muskrat season. Lots of fellas looking for carcasses for the Spring bear hunt.

[bill9044]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Prices may be low in comparison to coyotes when you take in account the work involved with putting up beaver but still worth it IMO. Pelt $20(not sure what the average was), castors $10 and carcass $20 = $50/beaver. For me it's worth trapping them between the end of coyote season and beginning of the Spring breakup muskrat season. Lots of fellas looking for carcasses for the Spring bear hunt.

I'm of the same mind as you HD. By the time it all adds up it isn't too bad cash I don't catch 200 beaver a year my 5 or so is OK though.