Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: Gobble Gobble on August 07, 2024, 09:07:36 PM

Title: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Gobble Gobble on August 07, 2024, 09:07:36 PM: I have a beaver that built a dam in the creek that is my boundary line. The dam was removed and I have irrigation water again. However, it is munching down the trees/shrubs on my property along the creek to rebuild its dam. Fortunately it has only been munching down the choke cherries.

Do I need to contact the local WDFW office and have them possibly do something about I or can a licensed trapper help me with this vermin? Fortunately, it isn't working on the dam every night only every couple of days I see new branches in the creek.

If it's something a willing trapper can help me with I'm in Yakima. My neighbor up stream wants it gone as well.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: jeffro on August 07, 2024, 11:32:06 PM: You don’t own a shotgun?
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: 300rum on August 08, 2024, 06:01:45 AM: On your property you can do what you want. You can look at the WDFW website, they have a list of trappers that you can call but they either aren't going to be interested this time of year or, they will charge you a ton to come out and set up. Best to just take care of it yourself but they can be tricky to find during the day when you want to find them.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: lewy on August 08, 2024, 06:18:41 AM: Hire a trapper. I do these kind of jobs all of the time. The time of year isn’t going to make much difference because beaver fur isn’t worth much. You’re paying for someone’s time and expertise
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Gobble Gobble on August 08, 2024, 10:33:21 PM: I was worried only a trapper could catch it, and if I were to get lucky to see it and shoot it that it could be illegal like poaching. I'm all for defending what's mine especially if it's causing damage. I'm in the county so discharging a firearm is legal. As for now I'll keep removing the dam.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: 2MANY on August 09, 2024, 04:52:24 AM: Get a restraining order.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Hirt on August 09, 2024, 06:33:23 AM: There are non-profit groups that may be able to help. I've heard that they can do removals or mitigation so the beaver ponds can actually help with irrigation instead of flooding an entire area. Looking on their website, it looks like they have some decent techniques on using the beaver to your advantage.

If you trap and remove, another beaver will just take its place if the habitat is good. I'm not against trapping or killing them, but there are some pretty cool other options that could work too.

https://projectbeaver.org/resources
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: timberfaller on August 09, 2024, 09:32:18 AM: They like to come out pre-dawn and work on the dams. Took care of many that way, sit and watch, heads are usually just above water line, pop, problem solved until next year when they migrated back!
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Cylvertip on August 09, 2024, 10:08:09 AM: I would recommend you at least talk to a Nuisance Trapper. WDFW will have on their site the list of Nuisance Trappers and what areas and animals they support. Reach out to one or two of them from your area. If in doubt, pm me a number and we can chat.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: scotsman on August 09, 2024, 10:21:35 AM: We had a similar problem. I posted here on the trapper forum saying I needed help getting rid of a few beavers… I received several responses and voila, beavers gone. All they asked for was gas money and $50 per beaver (This was west side)
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Ric0 on August 09, 2024, 11:14:01 AM: If you want to learn a fun hobby go to the WSTA summer rendezvous this weekend in Cashmere. Saturday they will have trappers ed class that is taught by some of the most experienced trappers. They have some good demo's lined up. It's always a good time.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Gobble Gobble on August 11, 2024, 11:06:01 PM: I'm in touch with someone who could help. They just released water from Tieton Reservoir, so water has been up and rushing all weekend.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Frank The Tank on August 16, 2024, 02:40:32 PM: Quote from: Gobble Gobble on August 11, 2024, 11:06:01 PM
I'm in touch with someone who could help. They just released water from Tieton Reservoir, so water has been up and rushing all weekend.

I know someone in that area that could help. Particulars of the law is that if someone comes out to do paid nuisance work, they have to be a certified WCO. You can have someone do a "favor" for you but the law says it can't be "paid". Other poster was correct, taking out a problem beaver(s) for immediate stoppage of damage is understood, but beavers are there because there's good habitat. Plan on others filling the void and figure out/ask how to mitigate damage ahead of time. Message me and I have a contact or two.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Cougartail on August 16, 2024, 04:05:30 PM: Quote from: Frank The Tank on August 16, 2024, 02:40:32 PM
Quote from: Gobble Gobble on August 11, 2024, 11:06:01 PM
I'm in touch with someone who could help. They just released water from Tieton Reservoir, so water has been up and rushing all weekend.

I know someone in that area that could help. Particulars of the law is that if someone comes out to do paid nuisance work, they have to be a certified WCO. You can have someone do a "favor" for you but the law says it can't be "paid". Other poster was correct, taking out a problem beaver(s) for immediate stoppage of damage is understood, but beavers are there because there's good habitat. Plan on others filling the void and figure out/ask how to mitigate damage ahead of time. Message me and I have a contact or two.

People will trap problem beavers for meat/castor at no cost here. Even with the WCO license.
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: big wood on August 27, 2024, 10:03:13 PM: Call your ditch commissioner. Let them hire a trapper. I contract for them in my area
Title: Re: Destructive Beaver Needs To Go
Post by: Gobble Gobble on September 07, 2024, 12:13:48 PM: The beaver hasn't been an issue in a couple of weeks since they started releasing water from the reservoir weekly. Each weekend the water comes up about a foot and by Monday it's back to minimal flow. The increased water flow usually washes out any stick obstacles. They get entangled in my irrigation intake screen. It's too bad because I'd like to have seen the just how big the critter is.