A simulated territorial beaver marking station designed to draw in large, dominant beavers.
Beaver
Cutaway diagram of the Castor Mound Set — components, placement, and depth.
Where to Set
Locate a prominent, sloping bank near deep water, preferably upwind of the beaver's main travel route. Look for existing natural castor mounds and set nearby, or create a completely new one to challenge the resident beaver. Avoid overly steep banks where the beaver cannot easily climb out.
How to Build It
1Scoop mud, leaves, and debris from the bank to build a small, highly visible mound about a foot from the water's edge.
2Apply a generous smear of beaver castor lure to the top of the mound.
3Bed a large foothold trap firmly in 3 to 5 inches of water exactly where the beaver will step when approaching the mound.
4Offset the trap slightly from the center line to ensure a front or hind foot catch.
5Attach the trap chain to a one-way slide lock on a drowning cable, anchored securely on the bank and in deep water.
Bait & Lure
High-quality beaver castor lure and a few drops of poplar or sweetgum oil.
Gear & Traps
#3 to #5 Coilspring or Longspring trap, heavy-duty drowning lock (slide wire or cable), deep water anchor.
Best Conditions
Highly productive in the spring when beavers are highly territorial and actively patrolling their boundaries.
Safety & Legal
A drowning slide wire is legally critical to ensure a rapid, humane underwater dispatch and prevent escapes. Anchor traps heavily in deep water to avoid non-target catches on the bank and check daily according to local laws. Always ensure your legal ID tags are stamped clearly on the trap chains.
Take this set to the field
Drop trap-set waypoints and map your line so you never miss a check.
