Trapping Thread 2025/2026

[NoWiser]

Thinking im going to give beaver trapping a go for the first time. In the past they've always kept a spot the local ducks roost on full of water. So I've never messed with them. But now they've built a couple dams that are actually diverting the water away from a pretty big pond that we fish (like 11 acres). The pond is fed by a drainage ditch from several field tiles over a couple miles away. It'll probably be a few weeks before I get after them but I'll take any tips for a first timer. My youngest loves anything hunting or trapping related so it should be fun for him if nothing else.

Watch the 330 Maniac YouTube channel. I like to set den entrances. Castor mound sets work great, too, if you have open water. Check to make sure whatever kind of sets you’re making are legal.

 

[Nick87]

Watch the 330 Maniac YouTube channel. I like to set den entrances. Castor mound sets work great, too, if you have open water. Check to make sure whatever kind of sets you’re making are legal.

Obviously I'm a ways out but I was looking around today and the ditch line they swim up to the dam from the pond gets real narrow at one point like maybe 10". I know nothing about it but that seemes like maybe a real good place to try. Thanks for the tip on the yt channel ill check it out for sure.

 

[NoWiser]

Obviously I'm a ways out but I was looking around today and the ditch line they swim up to the dam from the pond gets real narrow at one point like maybe 10". I know nothing about it but that seemes like maybe a real good place to try. Thanks for the tip on the yt channel I’ll check it out for sure

I’d throw a trap in every spot like that I could find. Beaver, mink, muskrat, and it’s a dynamite otter set if you have them around.

Look for their feed piles and there’ll be dens close by.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I got four 220 blind trail sets out this morning

Apparently Missouri can run them on land starting as of the new year. So I’m excited to run some. I’ve got tons that just sit there.


Good luck.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Watch the 330 Maniac YouTube channel. I like to set den entrances. Castor mound sets work great, too, if you have open water. Check to make sure whatever kind of sets you’re making are legal.

^^^^




I’ve done some 550s areas I see them entering and exciting water.

 

[Sask hunter]

Beaver are easy till they have been educated. 330’s with castor and dam crossovers are my go to. Once they are educated a break in the dam works good or a 17hmr. I have never ran foot holds so no experience there. Honestly never had a problem clearing out the ponds with 330’s and the 17 if needed

 

[sigpros]

Apparently Missouri can run them on land starting as of the new year. So I’m excited to run some. I’ve got tons that just sit there.


Good luck.

I was hoping that passed. I haven’t been able to find anything on it. Even 160’s would have been better.

 

[sigpros]

4 raccoons today that makes 86!

And my son caught his first cat today. A pretty nice tom for Missouri

 

[Jbotto]

Obviously I'm a ways out but I was looking around today and the ditch line they swim up to the dam from the pond gets real narrow at one point like maybe 10". I know nothing about it but that seemes like maybe a real good place to try. Thanks for the tip on the yt channel ill check it out for sure.

Spots like that are calling for a 330. I made up some metal H-stands in highschool so could set the 330 on land set it in the stand and push them both into the mud. I had better luck setting them so the top of the 330 was out of the water a couple inches than I ever did setting them completely under water with a dive stick secured above them, fixing the beaver to dive.

I really liked footholds on a rebar drowning rod. It was pretty quick to stab them in the mud, stake them up near the bank, make your castor mound, lure them up and move on. I trapped a good sized creek in our family farm that a 10’ rod was really handy.

 

[Jbotto]

Apparently Missouri can run them on land starting as of the new year. So I’m excited to run some. I’ve got tons that just sit there.


Good luck.

I was hoping that passed. I haven’t been able to find anything on it. Even 160’s would have been better.

I really got into them again last year. Always did ok with footholds in pocket sets, but hated dealing with wet muddy coona before work. Learned how to set them in trails this summer and did well on some short nuisance lines. Trying to use them more this year. Growing up we could use them pretty freely in MN but legislation changed as attitudes had changed after a few dog-caught incidents. I got away from them. Used them in bucket cubbies with good results but now they are just another bulky thing to carry around. I have a pile of traps and really don’t have many 220’s so I might have to stock up. I’ve got a few 160’s that I used on marten/fisher lines but I was having a hard time today finding good spots where 160’s would work.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I was hoping that passed. I haven’t been able to find anything on it. Even 160’s would have been better.

I’ve been trying to find the same.
I had hope when I read this

MDC proposes expanding furbearer hunting and trapping

Proposed changes include increasing number of days allowed for use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment when harvesting coyotes, and adding trapping tools.

mdc.mo.gov

But haven’t seen anything in writing yet. If it’s official I’ve got some stuff ready to go.
The dry snares would be interesting too if they got approved.

Here is to hoping.

 

[NoWiser]

4 raccoons today that makes 86!

And my son caught his first cat today. A pretty nice tom for Missouri

That cat is beautiful! Congrats to your son!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Today was fun.

1 raccoon on a blind set in a heavy trail. I love these little 1.5s.

Had my daughter out with me too.
1 raccoon and 2 possums.

Had something set off a cool set I am excited to see what I pull from. Doubt!
Reset and hopefully not going to miss this time.

 

[shb]

Thinking im going to give beaver trapping a go for the first time. In the past they've always kept a spot the local ducks roost on full of water. So I've never messed with them. But now they've built a couple dams that are actually diverting the water away from a pretty big pond that we fish (like 11 acres). The pond is fed by a drainage ditch from several field tiles over a couple miles away. It'll probably be a few weeks before I get after them but I'll take any tips for a first timer. My youngest loves anything hunting or trapping related so it should be fun for him if nothing else.

Beaver trapping 101