14 BULLETIN 1078, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



Below the surface of the water, however, beavers will dig under or 

 around a wire fence unless laid on the bottom or extended into the 

 banks of the stream. It is necessary to use another width of fencing 

 under water, laid out flat on the bottom and weighted down with 

 stones or fastened with stakes, and to stretch securely staked side 

 wings along the banks for several feet. (Fig. 4.) If the fence is to 

 prevent the beavers passing either way the bottom and side wings 

 should be used on both sides of the fence. If the beavers are to be 

 permitted to pass in and not out of the inclosure, a V-shaped or 

 funnel-formed opening or swinging door should be placed in the 

 fence near the bottom. 



The wings of the beaver fence should stand at right angles to the 

 stream or converge to an apex at the banks, the ends being curved 

 inward toward the stream to serve as an additional check. They 

 should extend in most cases 15 or 20 rods beyond the flood and high- 

 water points. 



In times of flood or high water it will be necessary to guard 

 against driftwood clogging the fence and possibly to build a sec- 

 ondary span of fence across the stream channel above to catch it. 



TRAPPING FOR FUR. 



In most parts of the country beavers are" kept down to meager 

 numbers by trapping, either legally or illegally, and in any section 

 where they are doing damage they can be promptly removed by 

 providing an open season for taking them. In fact, they are so easily 

 trapped as to be one of the most difficult animals to protect. Except 

 m large rivers and lakes, it is usually possible for experienced 

 trappers to get all of them. 



Trapping beavers for fur as practiced by amateurs is generally 

 inefficient. Unless scarce and very shy, beavers are as easily caught 

 as muskrats, but if the traps are not properly set and placed they 

 will be found to contain only feet, the animal thus suffering need- 

 lessly and being lost to the trapper. If caught by a hind foot a 

 beaver will sometimes still be found in the trap in the morning, but 

 if caught by a front foot the leg bones are quickly broken and the 

 foot twisted and torn off. 



Weighted steel traps. — To obtain best results a double-spring No. 

 3 trap should be used with a stone weighing not less than 20 pounds 

 securely wired to the bottom or outer spring. (Fig. 5.) The trap 

 should be set 6 or 8 inches below the surface of the water where the 

 beaver lands at the shore, or on the dam, and always near a depth 

 of at least 2 or 3 feet of water. A 15 or 20 foot wire attached at 

 one end to the trap chain and at the other to a strong stake driven 

 below the surface of the water will allow the beaver to drag the 

 trap and stone into deep water, from which it can not rise to the 

 surface for air, and in a few minutes, probably not over 20 at most, 



