How to,,,,Bernies / other swimthrough Cage

[Hannibal]

Reading gramps post spawned me to post this\ how to on swim though cages

1. Bernies cage is not designed to be out of the water at all,,,,, It is to be set as a drowning set only (as per Bernie)



Fist thing first.......get up early and enjoy the view and the creation God has to offer.............


Choosing your location is very important.
You will be looking for a straight stretch of creek with enough water to fully cover the trap.
On a straight area of the creek the beaver is going to swim the channel and dive somewhat center of the creek, making placement easier.
(beaver hug the corners on bends),,,,,If there has been activity from the beaver in the past,,,, The bottom of the ditch will tell you were to place the cage,,,,,



Once you have your spot located, you will want to make sure there is no obstruction in from or behind the trsap that could cause the beaver to miss because of deflection.
Make sure that the trap sits solid and is centered in the beavers usual path



Bernies cage is easiest set by flipping it over upside down and settinging the trigger,,,,Once set, it is pretty solid and will go into the ditch (or other location) without tripping



Once in the water guide stick can be used in front of the cage (If needed) to direct the beaver towards the center of the cage. (guide stick are pointy sticks pushed into the bottom or side of the waterway, slightly facing inward, gradually getting narrower as they approach the cage entrance.
Once you have the cage set it is time to cover creating a Dive situation.
I usually use a foot to foot rule,,,,,,, for every foot that the trap is in the water,,,,, The dive stick is the same amount of feet in front/back of the cage





These type cages can be used in other locations.........the bottom of a dam spillway works very well.............
You want something in front of the cage creating dive...............



This is My version of bernies cage,,,,,,a little bigger (16x16) with powered doors. It can be set out of the water because of the full frame design

[Hannibal]

[Hannibal]

[rasbo]

heres a couple of shots of bernies traps set...good pics Dave

[Hannibal]

[Hannibal]

Oppssssssssss...........wrong picture......

Perfect pictured Rasjimbillybo,,,,,,,,,,,,,!

[rasbo]

bigger is better on these I believe,14x14 I get them in but,I know I get refusals..16 tall and 18 wide is what I would really like.If the channel is a little shallow I will press the channel deeper with my feet till it covers the trap , which isnt a problem in the muddy swamps I trap...I also follow Hannibals advice on any trapping.His advice has been key on anything I have caught

[rasbo]

you been following me,that truck might be the reason I get no King county work

[Hannibal]

"They" were not too impressed when I "tried" to enter the "PRIDE" parade,,,,,,,,,

[rasbo]

Somewhere in a beaver lodge....this may be the reason Im having problems,the beavers recon

[Hannibal]

There is NOT a Tougher animal to Catch then a Educated beaver,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,imho,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[rasbo]

"They" were not too impressed when I "tried" to enter the "PRIDE" parade,,,,,,,,,

[grundy53]

There is NOT a Tougher animal to Catch then a Educated beaver,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,imho,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

thats why i don't like college girls......

[gramps]

Thanks for the 'how to'  great photo essay.

[trapperguy22]

Hannibal,
thanks for the info, What do you meen by "powered doors"?