Busy beaver lodge

[dakids]

Set up a very busy lodge today.  6 conibears at there front doors.  4 at the main lodges entrance and 1 at each of the bank dens that I found.  Lots of other sign as well.

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[dakids]

You can see the coni stands in the middle picture.

[mike89]

looks like a good sized lodge!!  get them!!

[deadeye]

So, just what makes you think this is an active lodge.   

[Leech~~]

So, just what makes you think this is an active lodge.   

They must be home. Their Smart car is still parked out on the road! 



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[dakids]

So, just what makes you think this is an active lodge.   

They must be home. Their Smart car is still parked out on the road! 

I hope that I only catch 3.  Any more and I'll have to strap them onto the roof.

[glenn57]

so did ya get any??????????

[dakids]

Going to check tomorrow morning after work.  I'll post pictures then.  I have a 72 hour min check requirement until ice covers them.  Then there is no requirement. Hopefully I don't catch any otter.  I'm trapping in a wildlife refuge and the director requires me to turn over all otter to him.  I'm more than ok with this as I'm the only trapper allowed to trap the refuge.
     Tons of otter sign.  Also coyote tracks everywhere.

[dakids]

So, just what makes you think this is an active lodge.   

No worries about thin ice as there isn't any.

[dakids]

Both traps that were set in front of bank dens had nothing in them.  All 4 traps on the main lodge entrance were sprung.  3 had beavers.  2 were kits and the other was a very long skinny adult. Reset those 4 a little closer to the lodge (shallower) because 1 of the small beaver tried going over the trap and was caught by the back leg.

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[LPS]

Very cool DK.  I was looking forward to seeing your catch. 

[dakids]

I will keep adding as I catch more.

[mike89]

beaver tail dinner again for ya!!!   

[Rebel SS]

dakids: Do you skin them out for the pelts? Not really worth it anymore, is it?

[glenn57]

dakids: Do you skin them out for the pelts? Not really worth it anymore, is it?

skins them out and sells the meat to sly-vee and wallyworld!!!!!!!!

[Rebel SS]

dakids: Do you skin them out for the pelts? Not really worth it anymore, is it?

skins them out and sells the meat to sly-vee and wallyworld!!!!!!!!

                    

[dakids]

dakids: Do you skin them out for the pelts? Not really worth it anymore, is it?

I sold the ones I caught before deer season for 12.50 each for the whole carcass.  That was to a mink farmer.  I will keep all the rest I catch this year and send the pelt off to get tanned.  I will make hats and mittens out of them.  Sell the castor.  Eat a few.  Give some meat to people that want to try it.  Clean skulls and give most of those away to kids.

[mike89]

i have heard they make excellent mittens for warmth, how true is that??? 

[dakids]

Very warm!!!  I made a full beaver fur hat for my dad and he wore it to blow snow.  It has to be below zero or it's to hot to wear.   

[Rebel SS]

dakids: Do you skin them out for the pelts? Not really worth it anymore, is it?

I sold the ones I caught before deer season for 12.50 each for the whole carcass.  That was to a mink farmer.  I will keep all the rest I catch this year and send the pelt off to get tanned.  I will make hats and mittens out of them.  Sell the castor.  Eat a few.  Give some meat to people that want to try it.  Clean skulls and give most of those away to kids.

Wow, that's pretty impressive!  You sure get full use outta those beavers!!   

[dakids]

4 more beavers today.  So far I have caught the adult Male, 2 subadults, and 4 kits. 

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[Steve-o]

[mike89]

racken up the tails!!!

[Rebel SS]

Wow...how many beavers do you expect to pull outta there, realistically?

[LPS]

Wow...how many beavers do you expect to pull outta there, realistically?

Yes my thoughts exactly. 

[dakids]

Typically an established lodge will have a breading pair, 4 two year olds, and 4 kits.  So a total of 10.  The adult female is the hardest to get.  She doesn't leave the lodge to often.  When she is the only 1 left she must go and get her own food.

[mike89]

interesting.. 

[glenn57]

so like humans then. the women get waited on hand and foot?????

[Rebel SS]

No, she orders out from Beevers R Us.....   

[HD]

Ok... I got a topic question....
What size conibear do you use for beaver?

330's?

If so, how do you compress the springs?
I can do the smaller traps, but struggle with the 330
I went to fleet farm for the next size smaller, but they were all sold out.