Beaver Dams and the Moose population on the property. Drain or not drain?

[Home3]

Taking down dames is not my biggest problem. I did a few dames this summer (partially) with a borrowed bobcat (anfo!! ). My problem is keeping them from rebuilding it.

Have considered hiring a licensed trapper but it costs $$.

Installing Beaver dame drain pipes is another option and seems to be promising as a long term solution. Instructions are all over the internet. But given the number of dames I have to fix, it will also cost money and time.

Still waiting for info regarding legally (yes I know about SSS)hunting them for pest control. Also, still want to know if they will come out in winter to fix a breach in their dam.

 

[thebaron]

Taking down dames is not my biggest problem. I did a few dames this summer (partially) with a borrowed bobcat (anfo!! ). My problem is keeping them from rebuilding it.

Have considered hiring a licensed trapper but it costs $$.

Installing Beaver dame drain pipes is another option and seems to be promising as a long term solution. Instructions are all over the internet. But given the number of dames I have to fix, it will also cost money and time.

Still waiting for info regarding legally (yes I know about SSS)hunting them for pest control. Also, still want to know if they will come out in winter to fix a breach in their dam.

If they are damaging your property ie. flooding it, flooding roads etc then you are justified in shooting them.

Yes, they will come out in the winter.

You can dig out or blast the dam all you want, if the beavers aren't removed or shot, they will continue re-building it. They don't give up.

 

[Superbrad]

Beavers are not actually all that smart.... they do most things on instinct... instinct tells them they want a dam on your property.... tear it down 100 times and they will rebuild it 100 times.... you could live trap them and release them elsewhere but then they would just end up someone else's problem.....

 

[AbLonewolf]

Taking down dames is not my biggest problem. I did a few dames this summer (partially) with a borrowed bobcat (anfo!! ). My problem is keeping them from rebuilding it.

Have considered hiring a licensed trapper but it costs $$.

Installing Beaver dame drain pipes is another option and seems to be promising as a long term solution. Instructions are all over the internet. But given the number of dames I have to fix, it will also cost money and time.

Still waiting for info regarding legally (yes I know about SSS)hunting them for pest control. Also, still want to know if they will come out in winter to fix a breach in their dam.

In Alberta, most counties have a Pest Control Program (including beaver issues), and the service is free. No such thing in your Province?

Good Luck with your project. But if you want the beavers out, the dams have to go.

 

[blasted_saber]

Taking down dames is not my biggest problem. I did a few dames this summer (partially) with a borrowed bobcat (anfo!! ). My problem is keeping them from rebuilding it.

Have considered hiring a licensed trapper but it costs $$.

Installing Beaver dame drain pipes is another option and seems to be promising as a long term solution. Instructions are all over the internet. But given the number of dames I have to fix, it will also cost money and time.

Still waiting for info regarding legally (yes I know about SSS)hunting them for pest control. Also, still want to know if they will come out in winter to fix a breach in their dam.

Call MNR and ask for a list of trappers in your area. Many trappers will not charge a fee in the winter as fur is prime and they will make a profit from the hide (assuming they dont have to go way out of their way for it). I know many trappers who have removed beavers from private property for nothing.

Bottom line is it doesnt hurt to ask. And its better then wasting the animal. And they will rebuild the damn in the winter.

Where are you located?

 

[Home3]

Call MNR and ask for a list of trappers in your area. Many trappers will not charge a fee in the winter as fur is prime and they will make a profit from the hide (assuming they dont have to go way out of their way for it). I know many trappers who have removed beavers from private property for nothing.

Bottom line is it doesnt hurt to ask. And its better then wasting the animal. And they will rebuild the damn in the winter.

Where are you located?

You are right. It won't hurt. I was told they won't show interest because the quantity is not there.

East of Algonquian Park.

 

[Eagleye]

Moose and beaver have somewhat of a symbiotic relationship, so removing the beaver may, at least temporarily, affect the moose population locally.
As has been pointed out, the fall is the least likely time to find moose in those ponds, but spring & summer will find moose loving the watery areas.
Eagleye.

 

[blasted_saber]

You are right. It won't hurt. I was told they won't show interest because the quantity is not there.

East of Algonquian Park.

They all add up. Its a piss poor trapper who passes up on a pond that is obviously holding beavers. And you'd be surprised just how many beavers can live in a pond.

Its too bad you're on the east side, if you were on the west side I could probably you in contact with some trappers directly.

 

[Home3]

Does anybody know when beavers have their litter in Southern Ontario? As much as I hate these filthy rodents, I don't want to shoot a nursing beaver.

 

[track]

Just leave things natural as you can and the moose will stay. Beavers are not really filthy, they are a clean animal that groom themselves daily and care much for their family...............contrary to alot of humans.

 

[cz858hunter]

Does anybody know when beavers have their litter in Southern Ontario? As much as I hate these filthy rodents, I don't want to shoot a nursing beaver.

we usually go for a hunt right at ice out when we can't trap any more. I shot 5 this year including a grandpappy beaver. I would imagine they would be having the kits right about now. Not really sure to be honest with you. but if you can put your morals aside, more kits means more beaver which means an even bigger problem for you.
Where is your property located, probably to far for me to travel but if you are in the Centre Castings area, and within my trapping district, I may be able to help you out. I do have a valid trappers license. PM me if you are interested so I can let you know if it's do-able for me or not.

 

[Home3]

Just leave things natural as you can and the moose will stay. Beavers are not really filthy, they are a clean animal that groom themselves daily and care much for their family...............contrary to alot of humans.

That was my initial approach, let them be....nature will balance everything..... until I saw the new damages this spring. If left unchecked, every hardwood tree on that property will be cut or drowned within the next 5-6 years.

You see, we the humans have basically eradicated or greatly reduced their main predators, mainly wolves and lynx/bobcat. Like city Raccoon and Squirrels, they have benefited from humans and have a population explosion (at least in my area).

CZ, thanks for the offer. I am taking care of it myself. I need to learn.

 

[Lastgun]

We have a constant on going battle with the beaver. There are places on the farm because of the lay of the land they can be left to their own to improve the moose habitat. That never seems to be enough for them, left unchecked they move into more sensitive areas and in a short time, destroy acres of mature forest. If you have mature bush near beaver habitat you don't want devastated, you can never let down your guard.
In the last 15 years or so the beaver have become a major problem in our area. Think it must be due to low fur prices that their population has exploded. The beaver are changing the look of our rivers and creeks at a very rapid pace.
One benefit is the new hunting opportunity they provide. Most land owners in this area have become, like it or not, bounty hunters. At fifty dollars per pair of ears a guy makes sure his rifle and stalking skills are up to snuff a shotgun and stealth also works well.

 

[mg4201]

Moose are damn near amphibian. They love water and water plants. That being said without seeing the property I can't say what I would do.