Spring on the trapline
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: jmiller
17-Apr-24
Getting close to my end goal on my North Dakota spring beaver trapline. For some reason this year I'm averaging a bit bigger than normal, tanning cost is the same no matter the size so it's a plus. I'll have plenty of meat for sausage as well. It's hard to beat a cool spring morning on the river.
From: buckeye
17-Apr-24
Nice Jeff.
From: arlone
17-Apr-24
Those are some dandies Jeff. Maybe the "nicer" winter was easier on them just like me, I'm a bit bigger than I used to be!
From: Corax_latrans
17-Apr-24
If there’s not an off-color joke baked into that…. ;p
From: Buckdeer
17-Apr-24
Nice job,All the beaver in Kansas moved to water since alot dried up from drought.It was crazy last summer where people saw beaver walking through a field and other places.
From: greenmountain
17-Apr-24
A wet beaver normally looks smaller but these guys look huge. Did you weigh any of them?
From: midwest
17-Apr-24
"A wet beaver normally looks smaller...."
Not in my experience. ;-)
I'm here all week.
From: t-roy
17-Apr-24
How’s the veal, Nick??
Looks like a couple of blanket beavers, Jeff!
From: Dale06
17-Apr-24
Midwest, I think you’re talking about a different species
From: Merriam
18-Apr-24
Nice work! Something about beaver trapping makes a guy feel like a true trapper.
From: Merriam
18-Apr-24
From: olddogrib
19-Apr-24
As a novice who has trapped (or tried) many critters excepting beavers, aren't the pelts way past prime by spring?
From: t-roy
19-Apr-24
Olddog……beaver stay prime much later into the winter/spring, than most other furbearers.
From: Catscratch
19-Apr-24
Oh man!!!! Soooooo many things I want to add to this thread about beaver, wet beaver, prime, and even cougars. MUST... REFRAIN......
From: jmiller
19-Apr-24
olddog, yep t-roy is absolutely correct. Early to mid spring beaver are at their prime, especially in the north.
From: Who Cares
19-Apr-24
They are nice and prime in he Spring here in northern Minnesota. sometimes though you can get some that are really bitten up fro fighting, being cooped up in the lodge for months of winter. You married guys understand that! Some may only have a bite or two and once in a while you get one so bad its of no value. Looking at these Spring trapping threads while layed up rehabbing knee replacement is killin me. Actually, enjoy them and helps the days along. Keep em coming and have fun!
From: t-roy
19-Apr-24
Hopefully, it incentivizes you to heal quicker, Chuck!
From: jmiller
20-Apr-24
Turkeys made a fool out of me this morning but the line paid off. An even dozen for the year, time to pull the traps. Now I need to put the fur up to send to the tannery and make sausage.
From: Basil
20-Apr-24
I guess most beaver goes to China these days. Prime is not as important as most of it is shaved. Used to put a lot of work into putting up perfect oval dried pelts. Now guys I know put just enough nails in to dry them & sell pelts by the pound.
From: jmiller
20-Apr-24
Most of the pelts go to the hatter market, mostly in America. I have all my pelts tanned and turn them into hats and mittens.
From: Stoneman
20-Apr-24
Jeff, I always enjoy your threads. Another productive season. One of these days I’ll have to try beaver sausage.
Thanks for sharing
From: t-roy
20-Apr-24
Do you have any use for the tails, Jeff?
From: jmiller
21-Apr-24
I get the biggest ones tanned and make them into wallets. Smaller ones are used as bait for fisher trapping.
From: Basil
21-Apr-24
I have a very nice beaver tail belt buckle. Versatile animals. Some guys I know sell them in the round. Buyer has a market for skulls, tails, castor, oil glands & the meat goes to dog sledders. Hides sold by weight in the hat market. Only way to be profitable at todays prices.
From: LUNG$HOT
22-Apr-24
Solid work Jeff. Looks like a rewarding year.
From: APauls
22-Apr-24
Add shaved beaver to the mix Catscratch!
From: Catscratch
23-Apr-24
"Add shaved beaver to the mix Catscratch!"
I've been biting my tongue!!! Oh my goodness... prime beaver, wet beaver, shaved beaver, nailing beaver until it's dry, beaver sausage. I'm struggling here to be a good boy, but damn it's tough!
From: cnelk
23-Apr-24
Id like to get some beaver tail fat - it is really good lake trout bait
