Live Trapping and Removing Beavers
Hancock or Bailey suitcase-type
traps are the most commonly used live trap. (Due to the weight and dangers associated
with suitcase traps, it is recommended that only people experienced with these
traps use them.) Some success has also come from using a 4 foot long cage trap
set right at the water’s edge next to the beaver slide. Bait for live traps
include freshly cut tree sprouts or branches of preferred foods, apples, and
commercial scents and lures.
If you are moving beavers to a different site, particularly a site where other beavers are not already present, there must be cooperation between adjacent landowners and local wildlife officials. A cooperative evaluation of existing habitat quality and potential adverse beaver activity is also very important. (Expect beaver to cut and use a large number of trees for dam construction during the first year or two.)
To help ensure the survival of beavers, the gradient of the watercourse at the release site should be less than 3 percent, and the site should have adequate food supply. Move beavers during their principal dam-building period, August to October. This will allow them time to gather a food cache, but limit their time to explore before having to settle in for the coming of winter. It may be helpful to provide beavers with a pickup-truck load of aspen or other trees to use as building material at or near the release site. This may encourage the beavers to stay nearby.
Lethal Control
Lethal control may become necessary when all efforts to dissuade problem beavers fail.
Lethal trapping and live trapping has traditionally been the primary form of controlling beaver damage. If you feel you need to have a beaver trapped, Animal Evictor works directly with property owners on a fee basis to resolve problem beaver situation. Note: State wildlife offices do not provide animal removal services.
If you are moving beavers to a different site, particularly a site where other beavers are not already present, there must be cooperation between adjacent landowners and local wildlife officials. A cooperative evaluation of existing habitat quality and potential adverse beaver activity is also very important. (Expect beaver to cut and use a large number of trees for dam construction during the first year or two.)
To help ensure the survival of beavers, the gradient of the watercourse at the release site should be less than 3 percent, and the site should have adequate food supply. Move beavers during their principal dam-building period, August to October. This will allow them time to gather a food cache, but limit their time to explore before having to settle in for the coming of winter. It may be helpful to provide beavers with a pickup-truck load of aspen or other trees to use as building material at or near the release site. This may encourage the beavers to stay nearby.
Lethal Control
Lethal control may become necessary when all efforts to dissuade problem beavers fail.
Lethal trapping and live trapping has traditionally been the primary form of controlling beaver damage. If you feel you need to have a beaver trapped, Animal Evictor works directly with property owners on a fee basis to resolve problem beaver situation. Note: State wildlife offices do not provide animal removal services.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
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