Blsum's 2015/2016 rookie season

[Blsum]

Well finished my last trap. Built this one slightly different and not sure I like it as much. It doesn't fold up like the others. Think during the off season I will do some modifications to make it a solid frame non collapable.

 Went out and meet with the land owner that is having issues with the beaver. Nothing has been back on his property for at least 2 weeks. I know they are still in there since they keep patching the main dam. Only problem is I can't trap at the dam since it's on the neighbors property and the wife doesnt want the beaver removed (of course there always has to be one person). Everyone else that lives there wants them gone. So I didn't get any traps set today. Looks like I will have to make the long haul back out to my other area to see about setting in a different spot. Last time I was out that way I went down stream close to a quarter mile and didn't see any kind of fresh sign except for the herd of elk . So I'm gonna jump about a mile or so down stream to start scouting around. Hopefully I find some fresh sign. I will have another update for you guys tomorrow.

[jasnt]

Good luck

[Kit Carson]

Good luck Blsum!! 

[Blsum]

Well set 4 traps today. 2 for beaver and 2 for cats. One cat set is down stream of the pond along the edge of the creek baited with a chunk of beaver and a but of castor lure. The other cat set has a whole muskrat and is just up the hill from the pond. Didn't take any pictures cause of the lightning storm that was rolling threw as I was setting. Planning on moving my other 3 traps out to the same general area so I don't have to drive quite as far every day. Both of the beaver sets are below the main dam and above the secondary dam. On the only 2 runs coming from the main dam. Fingers crossed.

[ouchfoss]

Good luck! 
Seems like beaver do alot more moving around when we get heavy rains and stormy weather.

[Blsum]

Well it was a good day. Got a beaver. I'm guessing right about 30lbs or so. Also got 2 more cat sets in. Sorry if the pictures are blurry. It was raining pretty good when I took them. Caught the beaver in a 12x18x36 collapsible stuck in the main run coming off the main dam leading to the secondary dam. It's about 3' deep and 16 inches wide. Hoping there is another one in there tomorrow.

Took a couple pictures of my cat sets as well.

[ouchfoss]

Awesome! Nice catch! Cat sets look good.

[Blsum]

Just weighted in at 36.8lbs

[jasnt]

Just weighted in at 36.8lbs

congrats

[bear hunter]

  congrats on your catch.

[Kit Carson]

Nice job! 

[Blsum]

Hasn't been very much action since I last posted. Did catch a couple more possums but nobody really wants to see them. Since I have to leave town Wednesday for work and won't be able to check traps for a few days. I'm going to pull my 4 cat sets tomorrow. Then thursday when I get back into town Im planning on pulling my 3 beaver sets. Kind of sucks shutting it down for the year. It's been a great deal of fun. Can't wait to do it all again next year. Oh and it looks like I will be able to make it to the rendezvous on the 19th so can't wait to meet everyone.

[Blsum]

Well caught a 40.4 lbs beaver today. Same trap as the last one. Also got another possum in one of my cat sets. And another cat set was tripped and empty. Not sure I like how strong the springs are on that particular trap. Cause I found a big chunk of fur on the door. Like perhaps what ever it was pulled the door open and squeezed out. The back of the trap was dug up pretty good as well. And the small piece of bait on the ground in the back of the cage was missing. Not sure if something got out or tripped the trap while pulling the loose bait out of the back. If I had to guess the hair is from a possum but I am a rookie so not 100 percent sure. All cat sets are pulled. I will pull the last of the beaver traps in a few days when I get back.

[bear hunter]

Have you thought about installing locks on the door?

[Blsum]

Finally connected with my first cat. Of course it was the day before the last day. After the rendezvous I couldn't take it anymore and decided to set a couple traps behind the shop at work. Well had quite the lunch break when I went to check it. Looks like it's a female. I'm guessing about 20lbs but I will put it on the scale when I get home. Btw I caught the cat using the trap bruce donated to the auction at the rendezvous.