I’ve seen them attack cottonwoods that are 3ft plus in diameter. Don’t usually finish the job on those monsters though.
Dag i guess this is nothing then…they do a lot of damage at the property i work at never seen them go at any of the bigger trees tho
Boy do they. I went out first of December, set up two locations, brought home 12 in two days. Took a damage job, and it took me a week to pick up two three legged beavers, which is why I charge good money for damage calls now. Not worth much, but I am selling the castors after spring beavern' is over.
The last time we had beavers here I was surprised to see them dropping an oak. I fixed them though and took all of it for firewood.
They got in my pond a few years back, Whatta nightmare. I would clean up their dam they made on the overflow and the next night they’d rebuild it. That winter I kept blocking their access holes in the ice, in the Spring they were gone!
Dead eventually. Girdling trees is something I've done on occasion if I didn't did need firewood, or wanted a nice needle free standing dead tree for a year or two later. Much lighter then.
I did it to a couple weed trees here at work and it's taking forever. Eager to see what happens this spring as I did it last spring. Two of them were walnut trees about wrist/elbow size.
Had some beavers dam up a small tributary to my pond a few years back, flooding a couple of acres. I installed a Clemson Leveler aka Beaver deceiver and they did not mess with it for a couple of years. Well, they are back. I was hoping to live in harmony as long as they left it alone. Guess it is time to buy a few conibear traps. I have always wanted a beaver fur hat and a beaver tail wallet, so I guess it is time! The funny thing is I have never really seen any beaver damage on any of my trees. Not sure what they are eating but I have very little tree impact from these little devils. My land is along a creek with lots of little wetlands and ponds, so they are plentiful around these parts. Question for you trappers. We were duck hunting my pond a couple weeks ago and saw a family of at least 4 river otters playing in the pond. First time I have seen that. Is there a way to ensure you do not get a river otter? Just curious as I think they are pretty neat animals.
The beaver could probably be caught without getting the otters but there’s always a chance of non-target species getting caught. A thorough survey of the location and some creative trapping could probably get it done. Uneducated beavers are pretty easy, but make a few mistakes and they wise up quickly. There’s a trap called the Hancock (I think that’s what it’s called) that is pretty much a beaver specific live trap, that would allow for the release of the accidental otter. But a Hancock it pretty pricey and a cumbersome piece of equipment. If I was right close to you I’d come check it out and see if I could help. I enjoy beaver trapping
