Muskrat AND beaver problem

eco

eco

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Have a creek that has recently been turned into a raging river from all the damn muskrat/beaver dams and debris. I can't believe how destructive those fukers are. Massive healthy trees 8-10" cut and moved around. Rocks and mud too. The entire valley has become a massive swamp.

*i think it's muskrat since I've seen them in the past swimming up and down the creek. But could be beavers too i guess. Haven't seen a beaver yet.

I usually go with chest waders and unclog the creek every spring. This year is extra bad. Went today for the first time in months, now that 3-4ft deep has finally melted so you can move around, and it's bad.

Anyone have a good idea how to get rid of the damn bastards.

The creek bed is eroding and getting worse each year as less and less trees left to hold it in. The swamp has attracted wild tall grass making it next to impossible to get close to once everything greens over. Tried brining the backhoe to clean up, but too wet, it sinks.

I've tried using conibear traps in the past. No luck. The leg traps occasionally work. Only to find a chewed off foot in it. The live trap cages don't work at all. Tried few times sitting there with a 22, no luck either.

Their runs and paths look nothing like they show you on the internet, especially with the tall grass and the fast moving water. Can't even set a trap properly in all that mess. Can't tell where their den holes are either. The long wide blade grass makes it very difficult.

It's extremely aggravating having to deal with the every year. And over time seems like it's getting worse and worse.

Lots of lazy foxes and coyotes around, but those bastards prefer my chickens than going after the clearly abundant muskrats.

Anyone have good ideas that have worked in the past? How many of these fkrs tend to be around? Say in a 300-400m long area along a creek/swamp?

I'm sure they are many more up and down stream, just curious if anyone knew their density in any given area? If it's like the mice and rats, uncontrollable, of if there are a few families only around.

Ontario btw
 

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eco said:
Have a creek that has recently been turned into a raging river from all the damn muskrat dams and debris. I can't believe how destructive those fukers are. Massive healthy trees 8-10" cut and moved around. Rocks and mud too. The entire valley has become a massive swamp.

I usually go with chest waders and unclog the creek every spring. This year is extra bad. Went today for the first time in months, now that 3-4ft deep has finally melted so you can move around, and it's bad.

Anyone have a good idea how to get rid of the damn bastards.

The creek bed is eroding and getting worse each year as less and less trees left to hold it in. The swamp has attracted wild tall grass making it next to impossible to get close to once everything greens over. Tried brining the backhoe to clean up, but too wet, it sinks.

I've tried using conibear traps in the past. No luck. The leg traps occasionally work. Only to find a chewed off foot in it. The live trap cages don't work at all. Tried few times sitting there with a 22, no luck either.

Their runs and paths look nothing like they show you on the internet, especially with the tall grass and the fast moving water. Can't even set a trap properly in all that mess. Can't tell where their den holes are either. The long wide blade grass makes it very difficult.

It's extremely aggravating having to deal with the every year. And over time seems like it's getting worse and worse.

Lots of lazy foxes and coyotes around, but those bastards prefer my chickens than going after the clearly abundant muskrats.

Anyone have good ideas that have worked in the past? How many of these fkrs tend to be around? Say in a 300-400m long area along a creek/swamp?

I'm sure they are many more up and down stream, just curious if anyone knew their density in any given area? If it's like the mice and rats, uncontrollable, of if there are a few families only around.

Ontario btw
Click to expand...
Bank Beavers.

Get out there at least an hour before sun-up. They are usually out and about from about a 1/2 hour before sun-up, to about 1/2 hour after, if undisturbed. You will hear them swimming before you see them. When you do, make the shot count. They can be big, .223 would be a better choice than .22. Shotgun with buckshot is good too.
 
Sounds like it's beaver problem more then muskrat. I had problems with beaver for a few years but had taken care of them. As previously mentioned, I would crack open the dam and wait for them at sunset. If the water is calm you can see the ripples in the water of them swimming towards you. My choice that was very effective was with buck shot. This did the trick. One evening I had taken care of 4 of them. Was also successful with conibear traps. I must have taken out 20 beavers till the problem was solved.
Trying to shoot them with a 22 is challenging as when they are swimming the head is small and somewhat flat. You would have to take them out from an elevated position for a bigger target.

For muskrats I have seen some guys use a floating board some what anchored and place a trap and some carrots on top. When the muskrat is caught it will dive in the water and drown. You have to do a little more research but that's the idea behind it.
 
The beaver are attracted to the sound of running water and will start throwing wood at the problem. Can kill them with a .22 but you don't see much of a target when they're swimming, and can be tough-ish if not hit perfectly. Pick smaller buck if you go that way to throw a denser pattern. I see them at all hours in the day but they could be more active at night?
 
Like everyone else said. Beavers not muskrat. I mostly use a 223 but a 12 gauge with #4 buckshot works if I can get close enough. Go after them at dusk and dawn and be patient. They are cautious but if I startle one I will usually get a second chance if I wait.

I have a big den on a neighbouring wildlife area that constantly spawns them
 
Not sure where you live,but in some areas beaver are classed as fur bearing animals.One needs a trappers license to harvest them in any way and the season to be open.To get rid of them when they are causing trouble,in some areas ,a special permit is required .Something you may want to check into,in your area.:)
 
Beavers cut down trees and dam up creeks, muskrats will follow and live nicely in the beaver ponds , but the beavers are the real problem. I have a number of farmers in the area that I shoot gophers for and also take care of problem beavers, only one way to solve the problem and that's remove the beavers but that's just temporary as other beavers will move in, it's an ongoing battle year after year there is no permanent fix. We are still iced over here but I suspect the the pond that myself and Frank cleaned out last summer will need more attention in the coming months. :D
 
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Snares work well for trap shy beavers. You should be able to find a house/lodge or a runway where they’ve excavated into the bank. That’s where I’d place the snares. If the water level drops quick enough they will come at anytime of the day to repair it.
 
28 gauge said:
Not sure where you live,but in some areas beaver are classed as fur bearing animals.One needs a trappers license to harvest them in any way and the season to be open.To get rid of them when they are causing trouble,in some areas ,a special permit is required .Something you may want to check into,in your area.:)
Click to expand...
Nuisance animal is just that. Not sure about now, but a while ago guys would shoot a bear damaging fences or looting livestock feed, call the MNR and they would issue a nuisance permit after the fact. Your province may differ. With beavers, we just shot them.
 
Buy yourself a 330 conibear or 2 and google how to use them for beavers. You can get the rest just sitting around there in the evening close to dusk with a small caliber centerfire or shotgun like others have mentioned. If you are within 20-30 rounds even BB shotgun shells will put them down good.
 
Meroh said:
Nuisance animal is just that. Not sure about now, but a while ago guys would shoot a bear damaging fences or looting livestock feed, call the MNR and they would issue a nuisance permit after the fact. Your province may differ. With beavers, we just shot them.
Click to expand...
This is true, you could just destroy the beaver but randomly setting traps with no knowledge of how to do it safely can cause you a lot more problems than the beavers.

Setting 330s on land, catch the neighbours dog, catch some person walking around not knowing what is going on.

There is a reason why it is illegal for people who are not licensed trappers or farmers from using these traps in Ontario.
One suggestion was to use snares but the guy has leg holds set on land where the animal has rung their foot before (twisted off at the joint to get out), obviously they do not know what they are setting and how.

Random snares could catch deer, dogs, essentially anything if not done properly in a safe manner.
 
Beavers are a "keystone species", meaning that they (like humans) can alter their environment to the good or detriment of the other residents.....including you. Think about what you want on your property, would you like having a beaver pond? These ponds attract ducks and geese and moose to forage on the aquatic plants that grow there. The whole host of pond critters; frogs, salamanders,, dragonflies, fish etc. will show up over time. Plus you will have these fascinating creatures to watch and learn about.

If none of this interests you then, yes, move them along. Tear out the dam, repeat as necessary. Be aware that a Conservation Officer might misconstrue your actions if he finds you in the woods at night with a firearm and a spotlight. Not likely, but #### happens and they can seize your firearm, your vehicle, etc.. Beavers are a very important fur bearer so check the regulations where you live. You could find a local trapper to trap them but this won't likely eradicate them. Dam destruction is the safest course of action.
 
Beavers are quite easy to get rid of, hire a licensed trapper and they will be all gone within a week, perhaps a bit longer since you have now educated them about traps so the trapper may have to pull out a few other tricks to get them all.

I have killed thousands of nuisance beavers, having the correct traps and sets makes it very efficient and safer. You can try breaking dams and shoot them if you have the time, however you likely won't get them all, they will go nocturnal.
 
I assumed muskrat since I've seen them in the past in daylight swimming up and down the stream (usially when driving by, never when i sat there waiting) And the several chewed off feet I've gotten in traps are too small for beaver I thought.
Few years ago I got one on a trail camera dragging a tree branch behind it.

Guess I'll have to spend more time on this issue this year... physically sit and wait as suggested. Might build a small platform in the trees to get a better view.

I'll also try that floating trap idea. Thanks.

No neighbours dogs to worry about. If anything maybe a coyote will get unlucky.
 

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