Beaver issues??

[MarkV]

I have some beaver problems in my 4 acre pond. For the most part I would not mind the sweet gum trees they tend to take here but the burrowing into the banks and dam is a real issue. Trapping is not an option with our little terrier that makes it a life mission to check every hole on the property daily. Shooting is hard once they figure out to wait until it is totally dark before heading out. The war continues.

I would advise you check your state regulations before starting on a quest to eradicate beaver. Here in Georgia they are consider an over populated nuisance and it is open season. Some states they are protected and you can get into some sever penalties if caught killing beaver.

MarkV

 

[FrogLick]

I've been fighting the beaver war for some time now. In addition to cutting down some nice maple trees the biggest worry is burrowing into my dams. One is about 30' high, one about 10', and one about 6'. I think beaver taking is regulated by trapping regs. here as a fur bearing animal, but I think a dangerous situation means that common sense should prevail. Besides I think it is kind of a don't ask, don't tell situation under the circumstances. I pulled a floating dock over to the shoreline last fall and it looks like that has made them leave the dams alone for now, but they've still got to go.

 

[HCJtractor]

Here in South Carolina, they are regulated with trapping seasons, but if you are the landowner, a simple phone call to the wildlife department, declaring that beavers are a problem, results in a free permit to deal with them. I was surprised how simple it was. Trapping them with pets around could still be done. Most of my traps are placed under water where the beaver dives, therefore unless your dog swims in these channels, your dog would be safe. However, where I have placed dry traps, I have caught unintended critters, such as really p.....ed off snapping turtles, opposums, racoons, a coyote, and even an otter. I was really sorry about the otter, so my future traps tend to go the underwater route, which target beavers more specifically. I do drive my tractor to check my traps, and made a grappling hook to rip out the dams that I can access, but its hard dirty work. Wish I had a trackhoe, or explosives! There are some good sources for trapping supplies and knowledge online. If anyone is interested, I can share how I learned. I am still a beginner, but I have caught 8 so far in 3 months of effort.

 

[scoutcub]

Wow.
It seems like 99% of the responses are that these critters are pests. I won't be living on the new property for a year or 2, but will definitively monitor closely their activities. As I stated in my former post, I'm OK with them backing up a few small ponds, and knocking a few trees down, because it's in the lower part of the property I bought. Perhaps I'll set a limit if they go beyond a certain boundary, then it'll be time to take action......are they basically relentless in their efforts? How far will they go to cut a tree? Sounds like a perfect excuse to purchase the barrett .50 cal I've always wanted.....

 

[scoutcub]

with a night scope....

 

[Arkaybee]

Beaver do not see the red light. In East Texas, I have used the red light within 30-50 feet of them swimming or on the dam and they didn't react to the light. Put a red filter over the Q-Beam light and just tear some holes in their dams, set up in a good comfortable position with a .22 and take head shots only. Otherwise they will dive and be lost. Repeated episodes of this strategy will yield success. BTW, hunting dogs really appreciate a good diet of fresh beaver carcass.

 

[kebo]

Wow.
It seems like 99% of the responses are that these critters are pests. I won't be living on the new property for a year or 2, but will definitively monitor closely their activities. As I stated in my former post, I'm OK with them backing up a few small ponds, and knocking a few trees down, because it's in the lower part of the property I bought. Perhaps I'll set a limit if they go beyond a certain boundary, then it'll be time to take action......are they basically relentless in their efforts? How far will they go to cut a tree? Sounds like a perfect excuse to purchase the barrett .50 cal I've always wanted.....

Beavers have more drive & determination than any other critter I've seen at trying to maintain their home turf, ie building a dam to keep the water level up where they live at. Cutting trees down is not always their goal. The bark of some tree species is one of their food sources, so sometimes they just strip the bark which may or may not kill the tree. Typically, within their "home range" all the small small saplings up to about 3-4" inches in diameter will get chewed down at some point. Larger trees usually will suffer enough damage to die anyway. They will venture a couple hundred yards (or more) away from the water in search of suitable trees for food or to chew down and drag back to the water. Then you have all those "pungee" sticks for you to puncture your tires with. I think rather than a .50 cal Barrett, you'll do better with a grenade launcher lol!!

 

[IH3444]

June Cleaver, "Ward, you were a little hard on the beaver last night"

 

[cjputzier]

When I was young kid we had a Beaver problem at my Uncles farm. Waited til winter out on pond drilled holes around dam in ice and place a little farmer bomb as my uncle called it [ Old Vermont farmer] under the ice and one in the hut, let in sit over nite freeze up again. let it have it the ice went 5 feet in the air and the dam came apart never saw a Beaver in that pond again. It was 20 below that day in Vermont so they may now be southern Beaver now. Chris Putzier

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I had some problems with beavers couple years ago, i have a small
creek beside my house and a river behind my house.

I didn't have no problems with them damming up the creek, but a
much worse problem, they destroyed several trees on the river bank
and killed two of my apple trees.

If you have any trees that you don't want destroyed than you had
better put something around the tree.

I called a game warden and told him what i would do if they killed
anymore important trees and he ask me how i felt about going to jail.

* So i would protect any good trees.

* Just use your best judgement.
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Wow.
It seems like 99% of the responses are that these critters are pests. I won't be living on the new property for a year or 2 but will definitively monitor closely their activities. As I stated in my former post, I'm OK with them backing up a few small ponds, and knocking a few trees down,
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* If your not going to be living there for a year or two you had better
check the property often, those things will take over and destroy everything around.

*Like you said, you ok with them backing up a few small ponds.
If you let them dam up some creeks and don't do anything about it,
then there will be other beavers move in and you will never get rid of them.

*You said your ok with them dropping a few trees.
If you let them drop a few trees, then they will drop every tree around if you don't keep a eye on them.

You will check on your property one day and it will look like a logging company has been there.
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They destroyed several trees off the river bank behind my house
and destroyed two apple trees, next time i see a beaver on my property i won't call a game warden, i will pop a cap in it.
I ordered my fruit trees from spring hill and they wasn't cheap.