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Introduction: 



Beaver living in close proximity to man may- 

 become a nuisance. Their ponds may flood valu- 

 able agricultural lands, irrigation ditches are often 

 dammed, and valuable shade trees may be cut 

 down. On the other hand, beaver in the moun- 

 tains and other remote areas are distinctly bene- 

 ficial. Their ponds and dams tend to control the 

 spring runoff; violent fluctuations in stream flow- 

 are thus prevented. Sediment is settled out of 

 the water, slowly building up fertile mountain 

 meadows. The water table is raised along the 

 streams, thus encouraging a luxuriant growth of 

 sedges, grasses and browse. These areas, in 

 turn, become an important part of the range for 

 big game or livestock. 



The environment for fish has in many streams 

 been improved by the activities of beaver. The 

 ponds, dispersed throughout the length of shal- 

 low, rapid streams, form badly needed hiding 

 and resting places. Important fish . foods flour- 

 ish in many of these ponds. 



Live trapping and transplanting of beaver, 

 from areas where they have become nuisances 

 into those where they will be beneficial, has be- 

 come an important phase of wildlife work. 



Procedure: 



The live traps used in this work resemble 

 somewhat a large suitcase made of heavy woven 

 wire. They are hinged at the back so that in 

 setting they are opened almost flat. One side is 

 placed against the side of the pond or stream; 

 this portion of the trap is camouflaged with wil- 

 low twigs. The other side is submerged in several 

 inches of water. The beaver, attracted by scent 

 from beaver castor, swims over the submerged 

 portion of the trap. The animal comes in contact 

 with a trigger that trips the trap. The side closing 

 quickly scoops the beaver up out of the water, 

 confining him in a snug wire pen. From the traps 

 the beaver are placed in transporting crates and 

 taken to their new homes in the more remote 

 areas. The last part of their journey is often 

 made by pack string. 



The trapping and transplanting of live beaver 

 has been carried on in Montana and other states 

 for several years. The first attempt in this state, 

 however, to carry on the work on a larger scale 

 followed the establishment of a project during 

 the spring of 1941. During July three two-man 

 crews were sent into the field; each crew was 

 equipped with a camp outfit, a pickup truck, and 

 live traps. On August 1 it was deemed advisable 

 to dispense with the third crew. The most satis- 

 factory period for live trapping was found to 



Camouflaging- the trap with leaves and willow twig's. 

 The other half of the trap is under water. 



A beaver snugly caught in 





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