[dunawayeric]

what is the best foothold trap for beavers....i will proably catch little oes and big ones so i want ones that will work for both...

 

[Tim B]

Most guys would probably say MB750's. But they aint cheap. So I use #3's and go for a front foot catch....and ya cant do that with the castor mound sets you have been using cause the ol'flattail will be holding muck/leaves in his front feet when they work a castor mound.
Thats just what I do and there are a bunch of fellers here that know a lot more about it than I do...so Bogmaster and the others that know a bunch correct me if im wrong.
Tim B

 

[Mallard]

I have enjoyed using the "old-school" long springs in a #4 or #5. I know these aren't the "best" available, but they are economical and do the trick for me. I had Paul D. help me with some paws-I-trip pans, and I couldn't be happier. Like Tim, I know there are a lot of guys that know more about it than I do.....

 

[Bogmaster]

Eric,I learned how to trap beaver using foothold traps.I started out using #3 Herters coilsprings,I caught a lot of beaver using them.The only trouble with a #3 is lack of jawspread,while these traps do a very good job holding beaver caught by the front foot,most large beaver that get a hind foot in them will not be there on your next check.While the added expense of the MB750 is something to be considered--consider this--you will hold every beaver that sets foot in it--front or hind foot catch.The added initial expense is quickly put back in your pocket.Always buy the best equipment you can,it may cast more but it will pay big dividends.
I have not set a foothold for beaver in 4 years,and in the last 10 years I have set maybe 3 or 4.I went to 330s several years ago and find it very hard to force myself to set a foothold.Others will argue that footholds,and snares are the way to go.I just find I am able to set up faster and where I choose,I use castor mounds about 95% of the time anytime I have open water during the fur season.
I also tell new trappers to use 330s if they are old enough to handle them.The main problems with new trappers using footholds,is trap placement.It seems that those having never used footholds for beaver end up with more sprung traps than catches,because of improper trap placement or by using traps that are to small.
330s have made a lot of poor beaver trappers into fair trappers,they have made a lot of fair trappers into good trappers .And last but not least--they have made the good beaver trapper into ,very good beaver trappers.
Well time to quit wit my 330 spiel--till next time. Tom

 

[cedarsavage]

eric' I use 330's about 60 prcent of the time. 750s' 44's and 4 jumps the rest of the time. The foothold i use the most is the #4 jump' which most guys despise. lol short chain and at least 4 ft. of water on a drown wire. I think trap placement on beaver is more criticle than any other animal. If your off a couple inches on a beaver trap you wont have the beaver. good luck steve