MtMan-List: MtMan List Re: Traps & Trapping

[DAVE PARKS <kc7cnw@gte.net>]

A rather late answer to an earlier question from Monte Holder on 
the difference between todays traps and those used during the Fur Trade 
era. The designs are basically the same, but the materials used today are 
much better. The basic beaver trap design came originally from England 
and other European country's. The traps back then were hand forged one at 
a time and differed slightly from maker to maker as did the rifles of the
Pennsylvania gunsmiths. 
      Trap manufacturing stayed that way until Sewell Newhouse started 
making traps at his Onieda Community Factory. His designs were still very 
much standard, but he made a better quality trap. Once he started casting 
his trap Jaws this made the manufaturing go faster and he started an 
assembly line production system with various standard size traps. But by 
the time his business was up and running the Fur Trade era was at it's 
end. The earlier beaver traps that I have seen (originals, ca. 1830) were
about a size #5 being noticeably larger than todays #4. The jaw spread 
being over seven inches in width.
      The earlier style traps relied on their size, weight and grip to 
drown a beaver. These original traps weighed five to six pounds. Todays 
traps would be hard pressed to drown a beaver in the time it took the 
heavier old traps to do it. The beaver trapping methods used today depend 
on either the body gripping Connibear trap or a foothold trap of either 
double longs spring or coil spring. I prefer the double long spring trap.
I find them easier to set by "breaking them over my knee". I have had 
good results live catching beaver using locked snares. These beaver I 
catch and transport to friends ponds, etc. I have spent the last ten 
years trapping beaver on the Applegate River only a couple minutes from 
my place. The river bottom is very rocky and it is impossible to drive a 
drowning stake into this river bottom. I use a drowning bag instead. A 
feed bag is filled with head size river rock to the tune of about 25-30 
lbs. this is attached to 15 foot of 1/8" aircraft cable. At the other end 
of the cable a drowning "lock" (an L shaped piece of metal with a hole 
drilled in either end) with one end attached to the short (6") trap chain 
is slid down the cable, after this is done the end of the cable is 
attached to 5/8" rebar rod about 30" long (depending on soil). This is 
driven into the bank of the river very near where the trap is set. I 
generally hang a bit of river moss over this stake to cover it. I then 
grip the bag of rocks at the top and give it a long toss out into deep 
water, (this will sure keep you in shape!) making sure the cable is 
tight. The trap is then set on a shelf I've dug out with my wader boot. I 
like to dig it about seven inches under water because a swimming beaver 
holds it front feet close to it's body when swimming and as soon as it's 
chest touches the bank, it drops it's front feet right into the trap 
jaws.
      As soon as the beaver feels the trap snap closed on it's foot, it 
immediatly dives for safety away from the bank into deeper water. This is 
where the drowning lock comes in...the L shape of the lock is put on the 
cable in such a way, that the "lock" can slide freely down the cable to 
the sack of heavy rocks, but when the beaver eventully try's to come up 
for air, the "L-lock" binds on the cable and won't budge, thus drowninmg 
the beaver in just a few minutes. This system is the only way I trap 
Otter and I have never lost one. The Applegate River is full of beaver 
and I don't know of anyone else trapping it. By using a rubber raft and a 
partner, A hundred beaver a week would easily be possible, it' a great 
place to trap. I often see deer and elk crossing the river near me while 
trapping.
      Monte Holder also asked about animal trapping, but as you can see, 
it would take up too much space. Instead I will go you one better...I 
suggest you get a subscription to one of my favorite magazines, 
"The Trapper and Predator Caller". this magazine is about the best 
available for those interested in trapping. There are articles on B.P. 
shooting by Sam Fadala and an occasional Mountain Man story by Danny 
Blevins. You can give them a call at 1-800-258-0929 or drop them a line
at 700 E. State St. Iola, WI. 54990-0001 It runs about $17.95 a year.
                      Good luck, Dave Parks (Manywounds)