Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management Beavers

So I have some pretty obvious beaver damage in my pond. I do not know why they are there since I was under the impression they liked things with flowing water, but anyways they are here none the less.

After doing very little research I see they eat some aquatic plants which I like. But negative side they are taking down some really nice trees. Including some of my cypress trees which I really like.

I was just curious if anyone had ever had a beaver issue before. Of the animal variety and the best way to handle it or learn to just live with the new inhabitants of my pond.

Appreciate any insight.

Oh also I made a new drag for my ponds for removing aquatic plants. I know some plants spread by fragmentation but I will post pictures of that topic and some other things in the appropriate areas.

Cody,

Lots of us have had/have beavers and you are going to have to physically eliminate them. They do a lot of damage to trees and dams.

If you look around, there are a lot of threads about them and their removal.

One more and I'm and ace....

I haven't personally had to deal with beavers at my pond yet, but as a guy with a few trappers as friends I can tell you that whatever method you choose to eliminate them, make sure it works the first time. Beavers are ridiculously intelligent rodents...they almost never fall for the same setup/trap more than once. My buddy who pseudo-traps for a living says they are worse than coyotes as far as seeing a trap before getting caught in it.

Have taken a few beavers out from a pond on some property we purchased
Method...quietly make my way to the pond roughly an hour before dark and find a place to sit on the bank somewhat concealed. I changed where I sat each time. Patiently and quietly wait with little movement, just moving my eyes and slowly moving my head. Beavers evidently like to appear just before dark and swim around. Only move and position your weapon of choice when the beaver is underwater or swimming away from you. Those suckers are real keen critters. Once the beaver stops and raises its head up to look around...smack!!!!! one less beaver

Yeah I was thinking of getting some practice in with the .223 but it appears they may have moved on possibly to my neighbors pond where after a ridiculous amount of rain his damn was breached and his pond is now 7' lower think his overflow pipe got clogged. Haven't been over there to check out what happened to his pipe to cause the whole damn wall to collapse. So maybe they are helping him seal up his now pond/river.

I have two ponds that are old borrow pits, no cover in the ponds other than the grass growing on them. During the drought a few years ago, the ponds mostly dried up. While they were low, I went in and planted some cypress trees to improve the fish habitat in the ponds. Then a couple of years ago some beavers moved in. I thought, "Cool, we have beavers in our pond." Then they cut down all but two of my cypress trees...

I am no longer a big fan of beavers.