7.9. SR 12-16-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ This type of trap is easier to prepare for setting while on solid ~g~'ound with dry hands. Once the ings are depressed and the safe- ~, nooks in place, the trap or traps can be carried into the water for proper placement. Additional preparation before getting to trap placement is selection of some stakes for use in staking the trap down. In most beaver ponds and around beaver dams, plenty of suitable stakes can be found. At least two strong stakes, preferably st ra'ig ht-.:and~ wff'hot~f,o ~e~ o~: sr~ag~;.~ should be chosen to place through each spring eye (Figure 7). Addi- tional stakes may be useful to put between the spring arms and help hold the trap in place. Do not place stakes on the outside of spring arms. Aside from serving to hold the trap in place, these stakes also help to guide the beaver into the trap. Where needed, they are useful to hold a dive stick at or just beneath the water surface (Figure 8). If felt necessary, the chain and circle attached to one ' "~g eye can be attached to ~. ~ther stake. In deep water sets where the set trap is slid into place deeper than the trapper can reach, the chain with attached wire should be tied to something at or above the surface. Otherwise the trap may be lost. Trap Sets. There are many sets that can be made with this type of trap, depending on the situation, such as dam sets, slide sets, lodge sets, bank den sets, "run"/trail sets, under log/dive sets, pole sets, sets u. nde~. the.~ic.e,.~deel~.water .sets drain pipe sets, and others depend- ing on the trapper's capability and ingenuity. However, in many beaver ponds, most beavers can be trapped using dam sets, lodge or bank den sets, sets in "runs"/trails, dive sets or sets in slides entering the water from places beavers are feeding. Beavers swim mostly at the surface or along the bottom of r ~ds, depending upon the habitat. , ~allow ponds, they obviously Dive s~ick. Figure 8. Conibear trap in dive set. Levee Run Figure 9. Runs or underwater entrances to lodges are good places to set beaver traps, Entranc swim extensively along the bottom. They are scouring out runs or trails which they habitually use in travel- ing from lodge or den to the dam or to feeding areas, much like cow trails in a pasture. Where these "runs" can be found, they are sure sets for this type of trap if the trap is placed directly across the path of the run and on the bottom (Figure 9). A helpful hint when wading in a beaver pond to locate runs or trails is to choose a good stake or "walk- ing staff" to help locate deep holes or runs. This will prevent your step- ping off over waders or hip boots in winter, and will help ward off curious cottonmouth snakes in the summer. Used to feel along in front as one wades, your stake also can help locate good dive holes , under logs as you walk out runs or trails. In old beaver ponds, par- ticularly in bottomland swamps, it is not uncommon to find runs, lodge or bank den entrances where the run or hole is scoured out two to three feet (.6 to .9 m) below the rest of the bottom. B-7