I've been trapping beaver, muskrat and other critters in colorado for a few years now. (I eat them) its super easy even with box traps. I use a simple set up. Its basically box trap with no springs made from rebar I can send you the details. I set on dens, bank dens, feed piles, runs and like another said I create choke points and funnel them in and dive sticks at both entrances. I offset the triggers to avoid otters and I usually take 5-10 beaver a year. LIVE trap does NOT mean the animal has to BE alive... box traps are defined as a trap the animal enters and can not get out of. which means all my traps are set underwater and the animals are unalived by drowning like a colony trap. It is stupid and cumbersome but I've already bagged one this year and I plan on taking another few this weekend. Trap small streams that aren't too deep or set up on ponds at den entrances.
I can send you plans for muskrat and beaver traps that work well if you'd like or if you are on the western slope I can take you out and show you my sets. colorado is tricky for trapping but it can be done! its more tricky to find public land to trap than it is actually bagging critters. I've made 3 traps and bought 2, they both work well and I've never had an escape. I use basically the same trap for muskrat only smaller with no trigger just 2 doors set on an angle. they swim in, and then breathe in water before they can get out. I set on muskrat holes or on the sides of streams where they like to swim.
The animal activists are trying to kill that by outlawing hunting and trapping of bobcat and mountain lion... tell your friends to squish that nonsense at the ballot box! I've petitioned DOW to expand bag limits on Marmot because they are delicious. Bobcat make good tacos. If you're trapping cats double doors and tall traps work best
Colony traps are legal because they meet the definition of live trap in the state. I extensively check the rules. So I don’t get dinged wildlife guys are on speed dial in my phone because I also trap snapping turtles here in Colorado and they’re defined as fish
Sure, I will message you. Sounds like you’ve found a loophole. I completely thought that you had to set them above water to keep them alive.
Nice Cat! Might have to throw a few cages out, I’d love to help the turkey out and get a few pelts while I’m at it, what are you using for lure in the cage?
You should! Colorado has a lot of cats. I kind of geek out with lures, I have quite a few and I use different ones at each set and then take notes on what catches. To be honest, most of them will work if the conditions are right. I really like anything by Halseth, O'Gormans, Dobbins and Grahams. This one was on O'Gormans Powder River Cat Call. I caught another the very next night in the same trap. Once you catch one that trap gets really hot. I will often use the foot off one I have previously caught as well.
