Three dead beavers in a stretch of 100m

[Drewski Canuck]

At this time of the year, the young males are chased out of the dam by the parents and often are found crossing dry land, or in the edge of the water downstream.

Young beavers are preyed on by every carnivore and omnivore at this time of year.

Problem is the young adults are pretty stupid because they relied on their parents to warn of danger, and really are easy pickings.

If you have no idea how these beaver died, there is no way to rule out a Mink, an Otter (favorite food of Otters after fish), a bear, etc.

Seeing dead beaver in a creek should not shock you any more than the roadkill on the side of the highway driving to the creek. Its nature, and if it is pest control then that is understandable too. Just go down to the local park near a pond or river where you live and ask why the tree trunks are wrapped in chicken wire by the Municipality.

Drewski

[Big Grey Wolf]

Us trappers use beaver meat as bait in our trap boxes for marten, fisher, mink. etc. It is a very high fat meat that still maintains attraction in very cold weather. Wolverine will rip apart a beaver house to get their dinner.

[Joshdunn]

Originally Posted by Drewski Canuck

At this time of the year, the young males are chased out of the dam by the parents and often are found crossing dry land, or in the edge of the water downstream.

Young beavers are preyed on by every carnivore and omnivore at this time of year.

Problem is the young adults are pretty stupid because they relied on their parents to warn of danger, and really are easy pickings.

If you have no idea how these beaver died, there is no way to rule out a Mink, an Otter (favorite food of Otters after fish), a bear, etc.

Seeing dead beaver in a creek should not shock you any more than the roadkill on the side of the highway driving to the creek. Its nature, and if it is pest control then that is understandable too. Just go down to the local park near a pond or river where you live and ask why the tree trunks are wrapped in chicken wire by the Municipality.

Drewski

Yea the first one I could understand , at this point I had not looked into anything about beavers and just assumed that’s our national animal ahaha but when two more showed up , right beside it I figured it became a little more complex then roadkill. and I’m not ruling anything out but I don’t think there’s otters around here and black bears and cougars are only sighted like once a year , I didn’t see any predation marks but I also didn’t look very close lol with everything everyone has informed me I’m going to make the assumption they were killed to protect the banks.

[Red Bullets]

I'm amazed that not one post mentions anything about diseases or infections that may kill beavers. Beavers can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They are susceptible to rabies, distemper, mange and even TB and CWD too.

Three dead beavers in close proximity to each other could also be a sign of infection or disease. A few dead beavers close together do not necessarily mean someone shot them.

If I found several dead beavers in a small area I might be inclined to contact a wildlife biologist to investigate.

I used to trap and know trapping is about the land and fur management. If disease was on my trapline I would want to be aware of it so I could take precautions in handling carcasses.

[esher]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

I'm amazed that not one post mentions anything about diseases or infections that may kill beavers. Beavers can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They are susceptible to rabies, distemper, mange and even TB and CWD too.

Three dead beavers in close proximity to each other could also be a sign of infection or disease. A few dead beavers close together do not necessarily mean someone shot them.

If I found several dead beavers in a small area I might be inclined to contact a wildlife biologist to investigate.

I used to trap and know trapping is about the land and fur management. If disease was on my trapline I would want to be aware of it so I could take precautions in handling carcasses.

Words of wisdom. A beaver is hard to kill and unless killed instantly dive to the bottom to die and may or may not eventually surface.

[MDR]

Beaver meat is delicious. Kebabs, roasts, stews etc. I save the backstraps and rear hams. Everything else is bait for trapping.

[Desert Eagle]

Tularaemia was a known disease that can be passed in the rodent family that is possible to infect humans. This disease did have significant impacts on the population way back when.

That was the first thing I thought about when I read that you saw a few in close proximity.

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

I'm amazed that not one post mentions anything about diseases or infections that may kill beavers. Beavers can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They are susceptible to rabies, distemper, mange and even TB and CWD too.

Post #22

[Joshdunn]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

I'm amazed that not one post mentions anything about diseases or infections that may kill beavers. Beavers can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They are susceptible to rabies, distemper, mange and even TB and CWD too.

Three dead beavers in close proximity to each other could also be a sign of infection or disease. A few dead beavers close together do not necessarily mean someone shot them.

If I found several dead beavers in a small area I might be inclined to contact a wildlife biologist to investigate.

I used to trap and know trapping is about the land and fur management. If disease was on my trapline I would want to be aware of it so I could take precautions in handling carcasses.

I did have a slight case of the sh*ts yesterday but I assume it was from the mother in laws roast lol I did report it to fish and wildlife so we will see. it’s not in my foreseeable future to head back there but if I hear anything or do end up heading back I’ll make an update post

[Big Grey Wolf]

My guess is someone with a brick of 22 shells and needing something to shot at rather than paper targets.

[Albertadiver]

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=99427

[270person]

Are you 100% sure they were dead? Could be Norwegian Blue beavers and just restin. Or simply pinin for the fjords.

Did you try yelling in their ears, WAKE UP BUCKY?

[catnthehat]

When i was trapping on a fly in line , beaver meat was a staple.
Loved it cooked many different ways, everything except traditional or pickled beaver tail, far too greasy for me!
Cat

[Frank_NK28]

Originally Posted by Joshdunn

Thank you I just submitted a report . What a shame.

I'm sure mother nature isn't going to miss a couple beavers. With the fur industry as low as it is beavers are getting to be a huge nuisance. Some RM's have bounties for beaver tails to try to alleviate alot of the problems with damage caused by them. A buddy of mine made more turning in tails last year than he did for the hides! This year he didn't bother to skin them. Cut off the tails and froze them hide on for his bear baits.