I just found out that beavers are destroying the woods behind my house. I counted 35 trees cut in one area. I just spoke with TPWD and they said I could trap them or shoot them. I live in the city, but I own enough land to shoot shotguns. The pond is owned by the neighbors, but the trees they are cutting are mine. I haven't spoken with the lady that owns the pond, but I probably should.

What are your suggestions if I must remain on my side of the pond? My land stops about 10 yards short of the pond.

If I get access to the pond, what are your suggestions?

I just purchased a beaver snare starter kit online. I will probably get them in 10 days. It has 12 snares, 12 pigtails, and 12 2 foot rebar stakes.

Killing is best but until then get some small squared wire mesh to wrap the trees with, it should slow them down.

I thought about the wire mesh, but it is woods. It is too thick to walk through. I could never cover all the trees.

Your best bet would be to obtain permission from the individual(s) who own the pond and find their trails coming in and out of it. Set your snares and/or traps there to reduce the damage and beaver problem. Or you might want to contact the Texas Wildlife Services (Nuisance animal/Animal Damage Control folks) 210-472-5451

also when talking to the lady who owns the pond BE SURE to mention that the TPWD advised u to get rid of them, just so she knows ur just not out to hurt her "pets" if its like that lol

a beaver can destroy a pond too dig into the dam. SO a beaver isnt a good thing in a pond

i would make sure to talk to the pond owner. Like previously mentioned, the land owner may be treating them like pets. Otherwise trap them and relocate or kill and tan the hides.

-Duckfoot

check for beaver pelt prices on ebay, last one i saw went for a good amount

Yeah from experience I know that a 12 gauge will do the trick on them and nutria's!

If you get access to the pond set up just before dark they do most of their work at night.

In order to sell any portion of the beaver, including the hide/pelt, you will require a trapper's license.

Well golly Wally

I saw some beaver last night. I didn't do anything because they were about 10 yards past my boundary and I haven't spoken to the neighbor yet.

I did talk to TPWD and they said to sell the fur, I need a trappers license. It is $18 and the season ends in about 3 weeks. So what is the price of a beaver pelt. Is it worth it to take care of them under the trappers license and be able to keep the fur and sell it or just kill them and leave them because of the damage they cause?

One more question.

What would you shoot them with?

My first choice is shotgun, but what shot? What is the maximum range I can be from these varmints for the shot size you recommend. I read that they will become smart when you shoot one or two and will disappear for a while.

Check with these fur buyers and see what they are paying for beaver. Beaver meat is really good made into ground hamburger, chili, roast and even barbequed.

RP Outdoors - http://www.rpoutdoors.com/browducbibov.html

RONNIE LEWING FUR COMPANY
987 W B LEWING RD
MANY LA 71449
318-256-9595

Reddell Fur Company
P. O. Box 359
Winnie, TX 77665
409-782-2784
http://texasfur.com/

Anthony Parish - Gilmer - 903-762-2600

These are just a few that I know of that are buying here in Texas except for RP which is in Many, LA.

If the pelt/fur is still in good shape and hasn't begun rubbing yet, I would say either skin it, (not open, but cased) and either sell it or have it mounted for your own collection.

Shooting with a shotgun will reduce the value on the pelt. If you can use a 22 and get a well-placed head shot, the better, but please do not shoot it on the water with a rifle...we don't want any ricochets.

If you just want them gone and not worry about the pelt, use at least BB shot in a full choke 12 or 20 gauge with no more than 40yds away.

Yes, they will wise-up to shooting, but will not leave the area, just change their pattern when they come out and forage.

Good Luck!

I hunt beavers at night. When it gets close to closing time I settle for hogs.

I spoke to the owner of the pond and she said she would buy the ammo if I wanted. She wanted them gone. I didn't expect that response.

I shot one last night with the shotgun as it swam by. It flopped for a couple of seconds and then dissapeared. I assume it died. I will check for a floater in a couple of days.

I got 24 new snares in the mail last night, so now it is time to work.

You might try steel traps. Put them under water in front of their slides. unless there are dogs that play in the pond. But in that case the snares aren't a good idea either.

I have been trained to snare over the phone by the best trapper I know. This is his 2007 take. I think he is experienced. It is my uncle.

Stinkbelly - Bud, you and I need to meet up one day! I started fur trapping back in the mid 70's up until I was hired by the gov't to do predator work here in Texas. After that, I got my skills really 'fine-tuned' and my fur catch increased dramatically after I left them.

Got into mink, otter, muskrat and various other furbearers when I got into the crawfish farming areas of Southeast Texas for 4 years. Boy, did I have loads of fun trapping then!

Holler at me sometime...

I shoot them with a spotlight and a .22 pistol at night when we set up our decoys before duck hunting---

ok, the real story is..When setting up decoys earlier in the season I fell in beaver ditch in an area of our tank that only 3' deep causing me to sit down on my butt in the mud with only hip waders. This meant a wet wallet and butt for the rest of the evening. Therefore, I was on a mission to shoot all I could see. I hate the little things and the loud smack on the water they make with their tail in dark is enough to scare the #$%@ out of you!

I am wondering what the beavers are doing with all the trees. I walked around the pond and there are close to 200 missing. I know they build a den, but where. The pond is about 100 yards long and tear dropped with the widest point about 70 yards wide. It is a natural spring and run off pond with a man made concrete dam. It sits in a canyon about 60 yards below all the surrounding land. I searched all the water and I can't find the trees. I did find several holes in the bank that looked like they were old beaver holes. Would they come up to the area and cut trees to drag them down the hill, across 100 yards of pond, over the dam, and another 100-150 yards through solid woods to the next creek and pond? I know that pond is covered in beavers, but there are woods covering half of it.

Never been big on snares but love a good 330 conibear in a run! Hardly any struggle and easy to set runs and dens the only problem is the cost of the traps. The beaver will stash alot of branches under the banks but you should see some food piles somewhere.

I saw two beavers about a week ago. I shot one the next day. I have had snares out ever since and hunted once since and havent seen any more. I am not sure if I spooked them with the one shot or if they are on the next pond over and periodically visiting me. I have had to snares nocked down, but nothing has been caught.

I will come and help you rid your self of them one night if you want. I am not far from ya. call me if you need help.
Randy