Beavers

[catman529]

Walking along the river today I came up to a big ditch/cove coming off the main river. The water is up pretty high, and the ditch was full of water and some surface debris. There were several beavers, and I took several shots, definitely killing at least 1. The one I killed kicked around in the water before settling down to the bottom with its last bubbles coming up. I had heard they sink, and they do. When I poked a long stick down there, I couldn't reach the bottom. Probably over my head.
I guess the best thing to do is go back again when the water is up, and bring some heavy twine with a snagging hook. I was going for head shots with the .22. I am disappointed I could not recover any. I would love a pelt and have heard the tail meat is good.

Anyone killed beavers this way, when the main river is up and muddy?

 

[catman529]

I know they are mostly nocturnal and this was by far the most beavers I have seen in one place. I figured it was because all their dens are under several feet of water and they don't have anywhere else to go. The river is about 17 feet above normal right now. I might go back next time it gets this high, and bring a couple of snagging lines.

 

[catman529]

I haven't seen em away from water, but a couple years ago while scouting for turkeys I saw one swimming in the river. I did not know they migrate. Have you ever observed them hanging out in still coves of water when the main river is high?

 

[catman529]

I would think the bottoms would have em scattered out quite a bit. Here I was along the duck river and it was only the ditches and creeks going into the river that were backed up with water. I checked another creek mouth I know of, and saw where one beaver went down when it saw me, but never saw any come back up.

 

[rukiddin]

You can absolutely hammer'em when you have high water situations. Their out because they have no choice. I know guys who do a lot of nuisance trapping and they will all tell you that high water/flooding is the absolute best time to kill every beaver using a area. Guys can accomplish in 1 or 2 days with a .22 rifle, what would normally take them 3-4 weeks with traps.

They don't really "migrate" in the true meaning of the word. Young will disperse to claim their own territory. It may be 100yds downstream, or it could be 20 miles......just depends on how many there are in the area.

 

[catman529]

You can absolutely hammer'em when you have high water situations. Their out because they have no choice. I know guys who do a lot of nuisance trapping and they will all tell you that high water/flooding is the absolute best time to kill every beaver using a area. Guys can accomplish in 1 or 2 days with a .22 rifle, what would normally take them 3-4 weeks with traps.

They don't really "migrate" in the true meaning of the word. Young will disperse to claim their own territory. It may be 100yds downstream, or it could be 20 miles......just depends on how many there are in the area.

thanks, I was hoping this was the case with the high water. I will have to go back and try again. Is there a particular time of day they are more actively swimming the surface or is it hard to tell?

 

[WMAn]

Is there a particular time of day they are more actively swimming the surface or is it hard to tell?

First and last light. A good way to try to get one is getting near a lodge an hour before dark, sit still and wait, and in the last 15 minutes of light you might get a shot.

There's a pond you and I both know of, near a spot you like to turkey hunt. I know you could do this there.

 

[pressfit]

you need a bow fishing rig...

 

[catman529]

Is there a particular time of day they are more actively swimming the surface or is it hard to tell?

First and last light. A good way to try to get one is getting near a lodge an hour before dark, sit still and wait, and in the last 15 minutes of light you might get a shot.

There's a pond you and I both know of, near a spot you like to turkey hunt. I know you could do this there.

Last time I was there, someone was running traps. That's a pond I might try trapping some time. I have video of beavers swimming around there early morning in November 2011. Most of the time though I never see them cause they are in the den.

 

[catman529]

Yes poser if they are not along the shoreline it would be about impossible to retrieve. And a pain in the rear to try and get a boat back there. that's why I'd rather try trapping there like someone else has.

 

[catman529]

Well I went back and brought a hook and line. However this one died floating right next to the bank. Took 3 shots and I got it on video

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Nice!

 

[doubledownranch]

Good deal. Thats a nice one

 

[catman529]

I gotta go to work now so I'm gonna have to skin it cold and stiff. But I will have a pelt and some meat from it. Might try the pressure washer for fleshing the hide, I also have a deer hide in the freezer waiting for the same thing.

 

[rukiddin]

^^^^^^Poser, I'm not sure if catman is old enough to buy a book like that

 

[pressfit]

congrats!! I caught one that weighed about 60 pounds in 87,
I think.. it was a nightmare to skin.. I think it took me 2- 2 1/2 to skin and flesh and stretch that hide.. it brought 5 dollars at the fur auction..LOL

 

[catman529]

Don't forget the tail! That thing is full of fat begging to be rendered.

There is actually a Beaver cookbook called "50 Ways to Eat a Beaver". Its only available on Amazon and is out of stock. I have emailed back and forth with the author about getting one, but no luck so far. Most of the online recipe start with Dale's seasoning etc. I don't do those.

yeah I will be saving the tail for sure.

congrats!! I caught one that weighed about 60 pounds in 87,
I think.. it was a nightmare to skin.. I think it took me 2- 2 1/2 to skin and flesh and stretch that hide.. it brought 5 dollars at the fur auction..LOL

holy smokes that's a big one, 5 bucks, I'd have said screw that I'm making a rug out of this.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I used to take a shotgun and .22 pistol. Shoot them with the shotgun and they would flop to the bank, then finish off with the .22

 

[Chaneylake]

Don't forget the tail! That thing is full of fat begging to be rendered.

There is actually a Beaver cookbook called "50 Ways to Eat a Beaver". Its only available on Amazon and is out of stock. I have emailed back and forth with the author about getting one, but no luck so far. Most of the online recipe start with Dale's seasoning etc. I don't do those.

do they mention anything about shaving

 

[FOX FIRE]

I used to hunt beaver all the time when I was a teenager,,,















Stood it as long as I could, couldnt stop myself guys.

 

[catman529]

Just weighed it at 39 lbs

 

[wobblegobble]

did you eat it? and what does it taste like? post a pix of the cooked meat

 

[catman529]

did you eat it? and what does it taste like? post a pix of the cooked meat

I haven't yet, I got the tail in the freezer

 

[Mud Creek]

I used to hunt beaver all the time when I was a teenager,,,














Stood it as long as I could, couldnt stop myself guys.

LOLLLL!!!!!!!!! You beat me to it!!!

 

[bowfisher87]

I was thinking the same thing!! Bow fishing rig definitely will work though!

 

[Crosshairy]

I shot one at super-close range in the head while duck hunting once, and even in only about 12" of water it managed to get away. They are tough rascals.

I had the opportunity again last year during a duck hunt, but passed on it because I didn't want a repeat performance. I've wanted to try cooking one, but body recovery is difficult.

Congrats on yours. I watched a few of your videos on Youtube - you have a lot of adventures I'll subscribe to your channel when I get home.

 

[Chaneylake]

if any of you have killed as many beavers as I have, you would never eat any of the nasty sob's

my favorite kill is as follows:

tear out 2-3 foot wide hole in dam early in the morning and let area drain all day, a couple of hours after dark I am sitting in jeep[with cold beer], remote controlled spotlight shinning on the area that I tore out in the morning, with my .22 hornet and Zeiss scope on 4 power I can easily see at night and I will tap the beaver on the nose as they are swimming down stream to repair the dam, I have never picked one up and I never will

 

[doubledownranch]

if any of you have killed as many beavers as I have, you would never eat any of the nasty sob's

my favorite kill is as follows:

tear out 2-3 foot wide hole in dam early in the morning and let area drain all day, a couple of hours after dark I am sitting in jeep[with cold beer], remote controlled spotlight shinning on the area that I tore out in the morning, with my .22 hornet and Zeiss scope on 4 power I can easily see at night and I will tap the beaver on the nose as they are swimming down stream to repair the dam, I have never picked one up and I never will

I like your style Chaneylake