snare for beaver and otter

[conibear]

Just wondering what kind of loop size and snare size to use on a crossover were beaver and otter are crossing. I just got permission from a land owner who said I could trap the beaver out and said I could only use snares because he has dogs and cats? There are two main crossovers on it, I would like to set this fall for both otter and beaver, but don't know what loop size to use or cable size to take both at the same set.

[Snareman]

In the water for beaver a good all around size loop is 8" 1/2 into the water. You'll get a variety of some head catches with mostly body or one-leg-through catches. On land you could use a 9" loop 1" off the ground if you want to avoid otter and coon. If you want to try and neck catcht them, start with an 8" loop about 4" off the ground... which also can catch otter and coon, but not a good setting for otter as you'll body catch them.

For otter, use a 5 1/2" loop about 3" off the ground for neck catch and have some brushing or grass over the top somewhat to slow down their lope and get their head down. Depending on how they are travelling, then can have their head at several different heights and the covering over the snare helps them duck their head. It's best to have some sort of entanglement nearby where they can tangle and expire. If you know how to set up drowner rigs, that's the ticket with otter. You can use a shorter snare, say 36" long then have sort of tangle bar or stake at the deep end, so that when he gets caught, he can do down the slide to deeper water and either the depth or tangle will dispatch him.

I've used bigger loops for otter, but then I'm setting them higher too, as to avoid the body catch if I'm trying to dispatch him on dry land. Always set several as otter travel in groups and you could take multiples in a small area as they pass through. With beaver you can send them down a drowner too, but if you set a 3/32" snare and he can stay in the water, he should be there when you get back to dispatch him... but make sure he can be in the water or you'll have predators taking your catch for you.

Snareman

[conibear]

Thanks snareman for your help.

[mmwb]

Is there a possibility of the dogs or cats actually getting caught in one of the snares? Dog might be okay, but I couldn't imagine a cat would do too well.

[conibear]

mmwb no there is'nt a chance. The landowner just wants me to use snares on his land because many years ago his dog got caught in a foothold trap, while he was walking him down a gravel road. He dos'nt have anything agianst trappers but just wants me to use snares. I'll do what ever makes him happy, the pond I'm trapping is a long ways from his house and he says he never goes back there because the beavers have blocked the creek coming in and out, and are flooding his culverts.