Post by: Smossy on January 04, 2015, 04:12:10 PM
Ive had 2 large guillotine style door traps. 5 6x6x24 colony traps and a few other assorted sets and I havent been able to produce in over 4 weeks. I know theres beavers and animals in the area and ive found more freshly chewed up trees in the area then I can count. Getting frusterated and about ready to just tap out. Ill take photos next time I go out for help.
Post by: ouchfoss on January 04, 2015, 05:15:45 PM
Post by: ouchfoss on January 04, 2015, 05:22:59 PM
Finding their "paths" or trails on the creek or pond floor will really help out. Even if its in a big wide open area that is fairly deep with no brush or sticks nearby, find a way to lay your trap in one of their routes and it will produce eventually. My uncle just ran into that same situation a few days ago and the next day he had a 30 pounder. It was a big fairly wide creek that was about 5 feet deep and no brush anywhere so he just lowered the cage into the beaver trail and it worked perfect. His are 12x18x48 drownsets that are simalar to Bruce's design last year.
Post by: Carp Commander on January 04, 2015, 06:32:38 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 04, 2015, 08:54:58 PM
Post by: ouchfoss on January 04, 2015, 10:15:32 PM
Might be hard to do but you may have to admit defeat and just pull your trap and try somewhere else that has potential. There is at least 2 spots I know of that I have tried like heck to get a beaver out of because I know they are there but the lay of the land just makes it difficult and I have yet to get anything out of there. I try to move my traps after about 2 weeks of not getting anything and one week if its really crappy rainny weather.
Post by: Smossy on January 05, 2015, 10:04:58 AM
Post by: h20hunter on January 05, 2015, 10:16:24 AM
Post by: boneaddict on January 05, 2015, 10:22:29 AM
Post by: Humptulips on January 05, 2015, 10:43:48 AM
If you have a swim through type trap and you are afraid the water is too deep try looking around for a shallower place to set. It could be a long way from where you see the beaver sign and still be good. Beaver move around more then a lot of people think.
Post by: Smossy on January 05, 2015, 11:51:37 AM
If you are using scented sets and one has sprung your trap it could very well be trap shy to that scent. You might try a different brand of scent at a different location.I used some of the castor scent you sent me last year on one of the large traps that was funneled and on shore, that one was never triggered and It sad for a week or so without ever getting a hit, Im moved everything to swim through style so it gives me alittle longer before checking each set. With work hours sometimes I dont have time to go out everyday.
If you have a swim through type trap and you are afraid the water is too deep try looking around for a shallower place to set. It could be a long way from where you see the beaver sign and still be good. Beaver move around more then a lot of people think.
Post by: Smossy on January 09, 2015, 05:10:32 PM
Post by: Trapper John on January 09, 2015, 05:21:09 PM
There will be another one tomorrow :tup: because its family and friends are going to come out and look for him tonight. :yike:
JC
Post by: Smossy on January 09, 2015, 05:25:12 PM
We new you had it in you to hang in there :IBCOOL: Nice Job ! :tup:lol That would be nice, I know there's more in the area. Too much damage to be one tiny little guy.
There will be another one tomorrow :tup: because its family and friends are going to come out and look for him tonight. :yike:
JC
Post by: Smossy on January 09, 2015, 05:34:09 PM
Post by: mossy8352 on January 09, 2015, 05:44:35 PM
Post by: jasnt on January 09, 2015, 06:58:35 PM
Post by: Whitpirate on January 09, 2015, 07:17:18 PM
What do I do with the tail, if anything?
Eat it! Lots of recipes
Post by: whackmaster on January 09, 2015, 07:24:10 PM
way to go
Post by: Cultusman on January 09, 2015, 08:43:23 PM
Post by: 3nails on January 09, 2015, 08:45:07 PM
they taste so good :tup:
way to go
:puke:What do I do with the tail, if anything?
Eat it! Lots of recipes
Post by: 3nails on January 09, 2015, 08:47:54 PM
I wonder if there's anything in your trap right now? Try not to think about it. :hello:
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 09, 2015, 08:49:30 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 09, 2015, 08:55:22 PM
Nice job on the beav! Gotta be some muskrats around too.Yeah def not eating the tail lol, Im even iffy on deciding if Im going to eat the beaver or use it as bait, Becks definetly not interested haha but I hear its great. No idea how to butcher or prepare it. I didnt have my stretching boards ready, slackin.... Really wasnt expecting to get one. So now I needa break out the spray paint and my stencil and make a few boards. Hes in 3 garbage bags and in the freezer for the night.
I wonder if there's anything in your trap right now? Try not to think about it. :hello:
I honestly have not seen any muskrats or anything out there, Not sure what kind of trap setups I need to be using either, I have a few colony traps and havent had a hit in any of them yet all year. Im trying to find a good design on a larger style colony trap so if you or anyone else has any photos to help out that would be great. Im just using 6x6x24 right now.
Post by: Smossy on January 09, 2015, 09:07:07 PM
Post by: csaaphill on January 09, 2015, 09:38:49 PM
What do I do with the tail, if anything?make a hat :chuckle:
Post by: ouchfoss on January 09, 2015, 10:58:21 PM
I believe I remember reading that George Brady buys tails. Not positive though.
Post by: ouchfoss on January 09, 2015, 11:09:35 PM
Post by: csaaphill on January 09, 2015, 11:13:40 PM
Oh yah, Beaver came in at 17lbs:tup:
hey grats anyhows man nice.
Come this way and get some of these skunks.
I ever get a place where I can. I want to get into Falconry.
Post by: Smossy on January 10, 2015, 01:12:04 AM
And beaver meat is very good as long as its prepared right. You need to soak the meat in cold water for a day first to get all blood out of it and then flour and fry it in hot grease and you will love it! You have to fully cook it though, no pink meat at all. Also, carefully remove the castor glands without puncturing them otherwise it will taint the whole carcass and then its no good to eat. I know from experience.Thanks for the how to. The only thing that's got me wondering if its safe to eat is it coulda been in the cage for anytime between 1-3 days and with the water being so cold would it of been enough to keep it consumable.
Post by: Machias on January 10, 2015, 06:19:19 AM
What do I do with the tail, if anything?
Do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yviqltiFbdU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yviqltiFbdU)
Then have it tanned by these guys, Specialty Leathers in Iowa, for $6.50 a side. Then have a wallet made or better yet make it yourself.
Post by: eburgtrapper on January 10, 2015, 01:53:26 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 12, 2015, 10:05:26 AM
Could it be from a beavers scent gland or something?
Post by: Machias on January 12, 2015, 11:53:04 AM
Post by: Machias on January 12, 2015, 11:53:52 AM
That's an awesome video. He makes it look easy.
I have done several tails, it is as easy as the video makes it look.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on January 12, 2015, 03:00:51 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 12, 2015, 05:24:08 PM
I bet Rasbo can advise you how to make a beaver tail thong
That would be cool! :tup:
Hey girl wanna see my beaver tail. :chuckle:
Post by: Smossy on January 12, 2015, 05:30:17 PM
LolI bet Rasbo can advise you how to make a beaver tail thong
That would be cool! :tup:
Hey girl wanna see my beaver tail. :chuckle:
Post by: Smossy on January 19, 2015, 10:54:28 AM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 19, 2015, 10:56:12 AM
Post by: Smossy on January 19, 2015, 11:07:03 AM
Post by: Machias on January 19, 2015, 03:30:45 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 19, 2015, 06:55:07 PM
Post by: Cultusman on January 19, 2015, 08:36:59 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 19, 2015, 08:43:50 PM
Post by: 3nails on January 19, 2015, 08:54:19 PM
Post by: Humptulips on January 19, 2015, 09:49:28 PM
It's called Green Belly! It's caused by not being skinned soon enough. I would rub some borax on it and and you might save it.:yeah:
20 mule team borax is available at Safeway
Post by: Cap.Silver on January 19, 2015, 09:53:44 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 19, 2015, 10:49:54 PM
...it means that I can see the carpet under your feet and I hope you're not doing it inside of the house :stirthepot: :chuckle:lol Indeed inside, but in the garage. We have scrap pieces of carpet layed out to try to keep any mud out of the actual inside. Cant do it outside its too dark.
Post by: Smossy on January 19, 2015, 10:50:31 PM
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=233044 (http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=233044)Lots of good info on there, Thanks. Seems like its pretty easy to rid of if I run into the problem again.
Likely the first one or two of every species I catch for the first time is going to go into my personal collection. So as long as it doesn't destroy the pelt Im not worried about a score on these guys.
Post by: Carp Commander on January 20, 2015, 12:59:09 PM
It's called Green Belly! It's caused by not being skinned soon enough. I would rub some borax on it and and you might save it.:yeah:
20 mule team borax is available at Safeway
I have had several green bellies this year. I skin just as soon as I get home and I am convinced that it has a lot to do with what the rat ate recently. Also, noticed that it is worse when the sun is out. Maybe directly sun light increase the odds?
Post by: Smossy on January 30, 2015, 09:15:24 AM
Post by: h20hunter on January 30, 2015, 09:18:41 AM
+1 indeed.
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 30, 2015, 09:31:28 AM
I catch a lot of mink with their heads through the 1x2 wire. I think I lose a few small mink every year because the young females can fit out but I don't want them anyway.
Post by: Smossy on January 30, 2015, 12:22:15 PM
I had a colony with 2x2 welded wire (don't ask where I got it :dunno: ) half the rats I caught were stuck like thatYeah It was surprisingly a trap I thought I lost and I couldnt find it, I happened to just come across it checking my other traps I was excited then seen that guy sticking out I was like wtff
I catch a lot of mink with their heads through the 1x2 wire. I think I lose a few small mink every year because the young females can fit out but I don't want them anyway.
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 30, 2015, 05:41:52 PM
I had a colony with 2x2 welded wire (don't ask where I got it :dunno: ) half the rats I caught were stuck like thatYeah It was surprisingly a trap I thought I lost and I couldnt find it, I happened to just come across it checking my other traps I was excited then seen that guy sticking out I was like wtff
I catch a lot of mink with their heads through the 1x2 wire. I think I lose a few small mink every year because the young females can fit out but I don't want them anyway.
Well he was just as dead :tup:
I had a couple of colony traps below a beaver dam that I thought were stolen. Turns out a beaver had moved them about 12 feet into deep water. There were 2 mink in one and 1 in the other :yike: seems like whenever you can't find them, there is an animal in them :chuckle: good motivation to keep looking
Post by: Humptulips on January 30, 2015, 09:50:31 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 02, 2015, 10:09:19 AM
One should always wire your traps up to something. Animals in the trap can move them or the current. When attached you can always find them.
Yeah, now I always wire them or stake them down at least. I had a raccoon that kept pulling my colony traps out to get the rat for dinner. I made the craziest set ever to catch him: A large cage trap with a beanie baby inside half submerged. Caught him :chuckle:
Smossy - what're you catching? Get more traps out, where there are a few there are many :tup:
Post by: Smossy on February 02, 2015, 10:26:06 AM
One should always wire your traps up to something. Animals in the trap can move them or the current. When attached you can always find them.Yeah going to be picking up some trolling braided wire soon and making some noose style lines to put on all my traps.
I don't seem to be getting many hits, Ive got 10 colony traps out and 2 larger guillotine door traps and not getting much. 1 Beaver and 3 muskrat. I seem to average about 1 muskrat a week and with the area I thought Id be getting more but Ill take what I can get, Its hard to find area's that I can go within reason around the house and get out to every few days. With my work schedule Im pretty much guaranteed to be checking traps in the dark. I want to find someone in the area one day to get me out and kinda show me what they look for and how to setup some traps, for now Ill do what I know how and keep the wheels turning. March is coming fast and don't got much time left.One should always wire your traps up to something. Animals in the trap can move them or the current. When attached you can always find them.
Yeah, now I always wire them or stake them down at least. I had a raccoon that kept pulling my colony traps out to get the rat for dinner. I made the craziest set ever to catch him: A large cage trap with a beanie baby inside half submerged. Caught him :chuckle:
Smossy - what're you catching? Get more traps out, where there are a few there are many :tup:
Post by: Smossy on February 02, 2015, 10:27:19 AM
Post by: Buckmark on February 02, 2015, 10:34:49 AM
Do you guy's know anyone in WA that will tan furs for a decent price? Everything this year I think I'm pretty much going to keep everything for my personal collection so I have something to keep me motivated through-out the off season. Need to make some more traps to.I would give these guys a call.
https://furandhide.com/
Post by: Machias on February 02, 2015, 11:16:46 AM
http://www.moytown.com/services.html (http://www.moytown.com/services.html)
Post by: Smossy on February 02, 2015, 12:00:52 PM
Moyles, hands down one of the best. This same question was asked recently on Trapperman and an overwhelming majority said Moyles. I love the stuff I get back from them. Amazing quality, GREAT price and fairly quick turn around time.Sounds good, 12$ per pound flat rate. Ill have to contact them soon.
http://www.moytown.com/services.html (http://www.moytown.com/services.html)
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 02, 2015, 12:06:26 PM
Post by: Smossy on February 02, 2015, 12:08:11 PM
Another vote for Moyle's I always got great results from them. Of course you have to skin and put fur up right to tan right but Moyle's does great work :tup:All I did wash skin/flesh and put on stretchers to try, that going to suffice?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 02, 2015, 01:04:27 PM
Another vote for Moyle's I always got great results from them. Of course you have to skin and put fur up right to tan right but Moyle's does great work :tup:All I did wash skin/flesh and put on stretchers to try, that going to suffice?
Yeah man, all I meant was that it's got to be put up properly to tan properly. Some people send off half-dried, unfleshed beaver and expect it to come back as beautiful leather :chuckle:
Kind of like the tool who shoots a nice buck and lets it rot for a week before bringing it to the Taxidermist.
If it's put up and dried, you should be good :tup:
Post by: Humptulips on February 02, 2015, 09:11:50 PM
Post by: Smossy on February 03, 2015, 07:43:05 AM
Of course needs to fleshed well but in addition if you want the ears to come out good they should be turned. If you skin the feet on anything they need to have the fat trimmed off the pads too.For the ears. What do you mean by turned...? Inverted fur side in?
Post by: Machias on February 03, 2015, 08:32:55 AM
Post by: Humptulips on February 04, 2015, 08:10:05 PM
When they are fresh I just grasp the cartilage with pliers and work my finger up between the back of the ear and the cartilage. They tear easily so take care.
Of course if you just want the fur for a garment and not a wall hanger there is no need for the ear so no one does anything to it. Something like a muskrat you could probably just cut the ears off if they slipped and not many would notice but a coon or a cat it looks pretty bad with bare ears.
Post by: Smossy on February 05, 2015, 07:16:34 PM
Post by: Cultusman on February 05, 2015, 07:40:20 PM
Post by: Smossy on February 05, 2015, 07:45:10 PM
If it's your muskrat colony traps,beavers and otters will move them and they don't put them back correctly.Weve had an old man stumble upon us one time when we were out setting like a mile back in thick brush..
He went "Ohh just going for a walk" I thought it was kinda fishy, probably seen our vehicle and walked along the waters edge, Not an easy walk.
Then a few of my traps I really wedged in a few spots and placed smalls ticks on both sides to keep it from moving, So 3 sides were held in there tight, Completely covered with grass.
I checked it last night and It looked like there was an animal in it at one point because it was bowed/stretched out alittle but not to the point to where it looked like anything could get out.
But it appeared as if it was pulled out and placed back in there, grass was completely gone and trap was pulled out about 14 inches from where I set it.
I dont know for sure what happened Im just not gonna take any chances.
That trap was about 6x8x24
Post by: hardkorrhunter on February 05, 2015, 08:40:03 PM