trap shy beavers

[eburgtrapper]

I am dealing with some trap shy beavers...Well most i have been trapping are trap shy anymore. I started a thread a while back about the State DFW relocating beavers from the ellensburg area to the tributary's in the Teanaway which reduced a lot of my NWCO business. They do not trap in the winter time so i get a few calls. Lately beavers have been everywhere, But i have not been able to catch many. i have caught one that was caught by the state. It was relocated and 14 months later i caught him again where he was originally from. (they have numbered tags in the ears) These beaver get caught by the state with snares, handcocks, and other cages. I use swim-throughs and handcocks. I was hoping to get some tips that i haven't thought about for trapping-trap shy beavers.

Thanks
Jordan

[Humptulips]

Back when we could use conibears I trapped a bunch of otter and they wised up over time because one family member would get caught and the rest see what did it. It became impossible to catch otter in submerged conibears if the water was clear. I looked for a place where the water was hard to see in too for my sets. That way the otter would dive into some murky water and not see the submerged conibears until it was caught.
Might a similar strategy work for you? A submerged swim through could be used the same. It doesn't need be black water. If you can set in a little current it makes it hard to see into the water.

That brings up another problem, setting swim throughs in current and the current setting them off. You can help that situation by cutting a small limb like a whip and putting it through the cage so the trigger rests against it. That gives it some support against the current but a beaver will push through and spring it.

[bugs n bones]

Poppy bud oil in the hancock when there trap shy works everytime.

[whitey]

Trap shy beavers are tough little dudes to get ahold of.
I agree about a well placed 330 (In the water of course) is hard to beat.
Hard to transplant a beaver that had a run in with one, but they work in getting the problem solved.
Or a well placed cable snare. (When we could use them)

[yankees2]

Are we allowed to use conibears in Washington?

[whitey]

Yes in the water.
NWCO permit..
At least you could when I was a Nuisance trapper. Its been a few years , but still pretty dang sure you can still use them.
I have a bunch if you need a few.

[UrbanTrapper]

Yes, conibear traps may be used in water if you are a Wildlife Control Operator and get a permit (permit application attached) 

[70sdiver]

Any one can secure a nuisance permit you don't have to be a wco.You will need to have the property of have the land owner designate you as the trapper for the trapping.You may not sell the pelts taken tho.You can use the pelts for your own .

[Humptulips]

Any one can secure a nuisance permit you don't have to be a wco.You will need to have the property of have the land owner designate you as the trapper for the trapping.You may not sell the pelts taken tho.You can use the pelts for your own .

WDFW is trying to change this. I'm not sure at this time anybody can get one. I'm working on it and will let you know what happens.

[70sdiver]

Well fight for anyone to get one!! have a friend in Benton City just secured one for beaver that are cutting some small cherry trees .

[eburgtrapper]

Got a double tagged beaver. It's kinda exciting, like getting a banded bird.

[Machias]

 

[Cultusman]

Do you know who tagged it?

[eburgtrapper]

The department of fish and wildlife. They have a relocation project to get beavers in the higher elevation, but some tend to swim back down. That's the second tagged one I've got, and I have been trying to avoid trapping Beavers.

[Trapper John]

Got a double tagged beaver. It's kinda exciting, like getting a banded bird.

The department of fish and wildlife. They have a relocation project to get beavers in the higher elevation, but some tend to swim back down. That's the second tagged one I've got, and I have been trying to avoid trapping Beavers.

When did they start this program and is it still going on?  Who do you talk to to get this information?
A few years back I was asked if I would bring my nuisance beavers over to Eastern Washington but the Game Department would not allow me or anybody transport beavers over across the pass.
JC