Trapping
Trapping can be an effective, practical, and environmentally safe method to trap or remove beavers from areas where they are causing problems. The objectives of the trapping program and the trapper's experience generally determine which types of traps are used. Several factors that need to be considered when you are developing a trapping program include:
- The behavioral and biological characteristics of the target animal
- Access to the target site
- The experience and skill of the trapper
- Nontarget animals in the vicinity
- Cost effectiveness of trapping
- State and Federal laws and regulations
- Other site-specific considerations
Trap-and-release programs can be effective when specific beavers need to be relocated. Release sites should be identified before beavers are captured to prevent releasing animals in areas without appropriate resources or where other beavers already have established territories.
Check local regulations before releasing animals to new sites. State and Federal laws and regulations govern trapping and the treatment and movement of wildlife. Generally, the State Department of Wildlife is the place to contact for information and guidance on trapping regulations.
Most traps pose a minimum danger to humans. However, exercise special caution if children may encounter trap sets. Trapped animals can become agitated. Depending on their size, beavers can be dangerous. Trappers need to exercise caution to avoid injuries while setting some types of traps (such as body-grip and foot-hold traps) and when handling captured animals.
The tech tip, Using Traps and Snares to Capture Beavers (0577–2344–MTDC, http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/t-d.php) describes various types of traps and some of the techniques used to set them.
Forest Service employees have had mixed results with trapping. Many respondents said that after they tried a variety of nonlethal methods without success, trapping was successful. Some described trapping as a good short-term solution, but said that repeated trapping may be necessary if the site is good beaver habitat. Others thought trapping was not cost effective, because beavers returned to the site and it was difficult to trap entire families. Some respondents felt that relocating beavers is not effective because it just transfers the problem to another site.
