Beaver Cage Traps vs. Size
Having caught nearly 400 beaver over the past three years in the Comstock beaver cage traps we have gained a lot of experience and learned what works. The cages we invented and sizes that we used all worked great. In any type of cage trapping there is an acceptable practical size range to take all beaver and somewhere in the abyss, a bare minimum. No one wants to miss animals, nor do they want to carry a trap larger than what is needed. We’ve always said that anyone can make a trap to catch, but to make one as small as possible, that’s the key. Though we do know what works, we don’t know exactly how far we can go by shrinking the cages to find the minimum size to take larger 60 pound beaver every time, but have a good idea.
The 12x12x36 inch traps have taken beaver up to 61 pounds while, the 12x18x32 inch traps have taken beaver 45,46,47 and 52 pounds so far, showing a lot of promise in length. Splitting the difference in opening size, while shortening the 39 inch cage to 33 inches, we have come up with an idea for a 12x15x33 inch trap only 70% as large as the standard trap. Since the body of a large 50 pound beaver is about 32 inches long, adding in the diagonal of the 12x15x33 inch trap, it would seem a trap that size would not only work, but would be a whole lot easier to carry in the field, easier to place and take up less space in a vehicle.
Beaver usually become bigger around before they get much longer. Depending on the area of the country as related to trapping pressure, the average size of the beaver can vary. Untrapped areas may have a lot of 60+ pound beaver so that the larger traps may be best. But, where pressure is greater, or just due to section of the country, beaver can range in the 40’s to low 50’s.
We are beginning to find that with these powered door, wire trigger, double door Comstock Cages that the only factor of real importance is that the beaver must be able to fit into the trap, period. If he fits, a catch is made.
When live trapping it’s a different story altogether. The 12x18x39 is a great trap for humane live trapping beaver as it gives them the room that they need to move around. In the coming months we will be building and experimenting to find what is optimum.
