Missouri's Beaver: A Guide to Management, Nuisance Prevention and Damage Control 2019

2019·1.2 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri’s Beaver
A Guide to Management, Nuisance Prevention and Damage Control
The Missouri Department of Conservation would like to thank the North
Carolina Extension Service, the Cooperative Extension Service at Kansas
State University in Manhattan and the Kansas Fish and Game Commission
for various materials, information and ideas used to create this manual.
Writer: Ron McNeely
Editors: Gene Kelly and Joan McKee
Illustrator: David Besenger
Copyright © 1995, Revised 2010 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals
without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Questions
should be directed to the Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966
(TTY), or to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
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Introduction to Missouri’s Beaver..................................................4
Role in Missouri history............................................................5
Life history.........................................................................6
Physical characteristics............................................................6
Social structure...................................................................6
Feeding habits....................................................................7
Storing food......................................................................8
Tree girdling......................................................................8
Lodges and dens..................................................................8
Dam building.....................................................................9
Economic value ...................................................................10
Damage prevention and control ..................................................12
Nonlethal methods..............................................................12
Saving valuable trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Protecting boat docks .........................................................13
Keeping overflow tubes unplugged .............................................13
Deterring burrowing in dams ..................................................14
Controlling flooding ...........................................................14
Destroying dams ..............................................................15
Live trapping..................................................................15
Lethal methods..................................................................15
Shooting......................................................................16
Trapping......................................................................16
Guide to trapping nuisance beaver................................................17
Body-grip traps..................................................................17
Bank-den sets.................................................................17
Channel sets ..................................................................18
Using castor.....................................................................19
Castor sets using body-grip traps...............................................19
Castor sets using foot-hold traps ...............................................20
Castor sets using snares........................................................21
Castor lure recipe .............................................................22
Controlling problem beaver in small streams .....................................22
Trapping in ponds and watershed structures .....................................24
Trapping as a business venture....................................................25
Nuisance control ................................................................25
Selling meat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Marketing castor glands .........................................................25
Dealing in pelts..................................................................25
Preparing beaver for market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Skinning.........................................................................26
Processing the meat .............................................................28
Fleshing the skin.................................................................28
Drying the pelt ..................................................................28
3
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eaver, more than any other habitat is found. Beaver are present in ing ornamental trees on his lawn and,
animals besides humans, alter most streams that have a year-round as a result, have an entirely different
the environment to meet their water flow, in farm ponds, in city and view point. Often landowners’ attitudes
needs. The dams they build in streams, private lakes and in large bodies of change from wanting to protect beaver
the trees they cut for food and the water. Increasingly, beaver are becoming when the animals are not causing prob-
channels they dig to increase their more common in urban areas. lems to wanting them destroyed when
mobility in the water bring diversity The contacts with these industrious property is being damaged.
in plant and animal life to the area. rodents result in a variety of attitudes. As beaver and people move into
Now that beaver populations are again A farmer with a small stream on the each other’s backyard, many Missou-
thriving throughout Missouri and the land may benefit from a beaver dam rians want to learn more about these
United States, more people are coming that stores much needed water during wild animals—either to enjoy watching
into contact with the alterations that a drought. Another farmer may have them or to learn how to take preven-
these animals make on the landscape. a serious problem when beaver dams tive measures to protect property. This
As their populations increase, beaver flood bottomland crops. To one urban booklet is a guide to both understand-
are no longer only associated with wild, dweller living in a lake-front home, bea- ing these semi-aquatic animals and
remote wilderness areas. They are abun- ver may be something to be enjoyed how to avoid nuisance beaver prob-
dant all over Missouri wherever suitable and protected. A neighbor may be los- lems.
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As beaver and people move into each other’s backyard, many
Missourians want to learn more about these wild animals—
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either to enjoy watching them or to learn how to take
preventive measures to protect property. ~~~
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bundant when Europeans 1804 to 1806 was to explore the area’s Europe during the early 1800s. The
first arrived, beaver played an potential for the fur trade. Not only dense, almost down-like underfur was
important role in the early set- did the two adventurers write about used to make the best quality felt for
tlement of Missouri. In the 1700s the fur traders they met as they traveled hats. The higher the percentage of bea-
French came in search of fine beaver up the Missouri River, but at night ver fur, the more expensive the hat.
pelts and other furs that were popular their own men set traps, which often But fashion is fickle, as the trap-
in Europe. Old dugout canoes, called supplied beaver meat for the expedi- pers and traders soon found out. The
pirogues, have been unearthed along tion. After the trip, Clark returned up discovery of the silk worm brought
streams in Missouri in recent years as the Missouri River to establish Fort about a new popular style of hats,
evidence of those early French beaver Osage, a fur trade outpost near what is which caused the beaver fur market to
trappers. One of these historic boats now Kansas City. plummet by the end of the 1830s.
was found along the Thompson Fork Missouri played a key role in the Even with a lower demand, trapping
River in Grundy County and another in early fur trade. Many trading compa- continued in the United States. Inten-
the Kansas City area at the confluence nies had headquarters in St. Louis, once sive unregulated trapping caused the
of the Blue and Missouri rivers. known as the world fur trading center. number of beaver to steadily decline
Much of the purpose for Meri- The businesses sent trappers further until they were considered extirpated
wether Lewis’ and William Clark’s into the wilderness to find more furs. from Missouri by 1929. Beaver trapping
famous Missouri River expedition from As a result, these adventurers and was prohibited in Missouri from 1929
the companies that sponsored them to 1953.
helped open up the Western frontier in As soon as they were protected,
the late 1700s and early 1800s. beaver began repopulating the state.
One famous St. Louis fur trader, Animals from upstream began coloniz-
Joseph Roubidoux III, set up a trading ing the Missouri River and its tributar-
post at the mouth of Blacksnake Creek ies in north Missouri. In southern Mis-
on the banks of the Missouri River in souri, six purchased pairs were released
what is now St. Joseph, the city he later in 1928 and 1929. Beaver from the west
founded and named after his patron are thought to have repopulated the
saint. There, he traded with trappers southwestern part of the state.
and Native Americans for beaver pelts Although special farmer-damage
and other furs. trapping permits were allowed as early
The journals of Lewis and Clark also as 1945, the first modern beaver trap-
~ noted the city of St. Charles as a fur ping season didn’t begin until 1953.
,7
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town, where most of its inhabitants The first season lasted 15 days in
~(; ~~ were employed in the fur trade. only 76 of the 114 counties. Gradu-
t? .~<:'I In the 1830s, mountain men trav- ally the season was lengthened and
eled through Missouri on their way expanded to include more counties.
tro7, west after beaver pelts. “Kit” Carson In 1956, a 46-day season opened
was a native Missourian who joined statewide. The market for beaver pelts
their ranks. Another famous explorer, at that time was low, and the beaver
Daniel Boone, after he migrated to population continued to increase.
Missouri from Kentucky in 1799, went Beaver pelt prices have remained
up the Grand River one winter on a relatively low through the years.
beaver trapping expedition accom- Although trappers continue to take
panied by a young servant. The two beaver, harvest pressure has not
found themselves surrounded by been adequate to control population
American Indians and were forced to growth.
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break camp and beat a hasty retreat. As a result, the current beaver trap-
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Fashion fueled the lucrative bea- ping season remains liberal. In the mid
, ;p. ~ ~i ~~?('f:_~, - ver fur market that enticed men to 1990s, beaver have become plentiful,
make journeys into uncharted terri- not only in Missouri, but all across the
tory. Men’s hats, made from the finest North American continent where suit-
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beaver pelts, were the rage throughout able habitat is found.
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Physical characteristics their body submerged. Although their remains. This forms a beveled edge
vision is only fair above water, beaver that the beaver sharpens by gnawing.
More at home in the water, beaver get see much better when submerged. A Beaver use these opposed pairs of
out on dry land to cut trees and other membrane closes over the beavers’ chisels to cut trees of most any diam-
vegetation for food and occasionally eyes to protect them when underwa- eter. These sharp teeth also are used to
to travel short distances overland from ter. Both the ears and nose have valves remove the trees’ outer dead bark and
one water habitat to another. Special that close when the beaver submerges. to cut loose the cambium—the inner
characteristics enable this semi-aquatic As an aid in gnawing underwater, the growing layer of the tree that beaver
animal to adapt to both environments. lips meet behind the incisor teeth, use as a principle food source during
Perhaps the most commonly recog- which prevent water from entering the the winter months.
nized feature is the beaver’s broad flat, mouth. Beaver vary in color from a light to a
scaly tail, which the animal uses for sta- Beaver can regulate their blood dark brown. The darker-colored beaver
bility while sitting and feeding or while chemistry, heart rate and circulation are more prevalent in central and
chewing its way through a tree. In the patterns so they can work underwa- southern Missouri, while the lighter
water, it serves as a warning device ter for up to 15 minutes. When held ones occur in the north and northwest.
when an alarmed beaver slaps it on the underwater, beaver do not drown In the fur trade, the lighter shades—
surface of the water. When swimming, as most mammals do. Instead, they referred to as “pales,” “blondes” and
the beaver uses its tail as a rudder. remain calm until they realize they are “silvers”—are more in demand. Beaver
The front feet are equipped with in trouble. At that point, the beaver with black fur rarely occur in Missouri.
heavy toenails for digging bank dens, will frantically try to surface and, if No matter what color, all beaver have
dredging up mud from the stream unable to do so, will die in about a a dense underfur that traps air and
bottom for dam building, digging minute from a condition called narco- protects them from cold water in the
channels, and for handling food and sis or carbon dioxide poisoning. Most winter. It is this underfur that is so
construction material. other warm-blooded animals will die highly prized in the fur industry.
The large webbed hind feet are in three minutes from what is called Male and female beaver are difficult
used to propel the animal through the “wet” drowning. This means that unlike to identify without a physical examina-
water. The three outer toes on the hind beaver, they inhale water into their tion. Both sexes have one opening—
feet have typical claws, but the fourth lungs and die from lack of oxygen. called the cloacal—that is used by the
toe has a split or double toenail that Missouri’s largest rodent, an adult reproductive and excretory systems.
beaver use as a comb to rid their fur of beaver averages between 30 to 50 The male’s penis is hidden inside this
lice and to distribute oil from the oil pounds, but trappers on occasion opening. Sometimes it is possible to
sacs to help waterproof their fur. catch ones that weigh more than 100 observe the two pairs of teats on a
Other specializations have helped pounds. Beaver, like most rodents, female when the animal is in the late
the beaver adapt to their aquatic way have front teeth that grow continually stages of pregnancy or is nursing.
of life. The location of the eyes near the throughout their lifetime. The back
top of the head allows beaver to see side of their four orange incisors wears Social structure
above the water while keeping most of away, and the harder front surface
Beaver are social animals. They usually
live in family units, called colonies, that
consist of an adult pair and the young
Beaver deposit castor, the from that year. The male parent stays
scented oil from their castor in the area although the female may
glands, on a small mound keep him at a distance when the young
of mud and leaves that are small.
the beaver places near the Beaver in Missouri usually breed in
water’s edge. February, and the young are born in
late April or early May. Occasionally
some females breed later in the year,
but they still have only one litter a year.
A young female beaver may have two
or three young—called kits—in its first
litter. Older females produce larger
litters. Even though beaver only have
four teats, they may have as many as
6
LIFE HISTORY
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Beaver cache their winter food supply in the
water behind the dam. It often looks like a
brush pile in the water with the tips of some
of the branches sticking above the surface.
seven young—and on rare occasions indicate that sometimes the wounds on lake banks that seldom flood the
eight or more. The average litter size, are severe. castor mounds may build up over
however, is three or four. Beaver usually mate for life. They the years into conical mounds several
Yearling beaver may naturally establish their territory during the inches high. Although beaver make
disperse on their own in early spring or spring, and the female is especially castor mounds throughout the year,
be driven out of the colony when their protective of the home territory during there is a period of increased cas-
parents have a new litter. A mated the summer while the kits are small. tor mounding activity from January
pair of young beaver may move into Both parents are persistent in main- through March and especially after
suitable habitat and establish territory taining their dam or plugging tubes in the ice melts off the streams and the
during the summer of their second ponds, to maintain maximum water beaver become more active.
year. Much like young Canada geese, depth to keep their young safe. Although usually nocturnal, beaver
this first year in the chosen new ter- Beaver in Missouri have few natural are more likely to be active during
ritory is the “honeymoon” year, the predators. Coyotes, bobcats, dogs and daylight hours in late winter and early
time before the pair has its first litter. great horned owls may occasionally spring during the mating season. They
Occasionally a solitary beaver, which catch and kill young beaver when they also can be seen during the day soon
trappers refer to as a “bachelor,” may are on land. Recently, river otter have after the ice has thawed and when
set up a territory by itself. been suspected of killing young beaver. young beaver are dispersing. Beaver
During mating season, many However, people are the only signifi- also may be seen in the early mornings
beaver—especially in areas of higher cant predators. or late evenings, particularly if they
populations—show fresh bite marks. Male and female beaver produce have become used to humans.
This is attributed to rivalry among a scented oil from their castor glands
adult males, defending territory, or the that is used to mark territory and to Feeding habits
result of adults driving off last year’s attract mates. The castor is deposited
young. Adult beaver of both sexes on a small mound of mud and leaves Beaver seem to be totally herbivorous.
often show scars from bites received that beaver haul out of the stream or They are sometimes accused of eating
throughout their lives. Most beaver lake. Along most streams these castor fish, especially if remains of fish are
survive these battles, but the scars mounds are soon washed away, but found at a beaver colony.
7
However, there is no recorded proof corn and soybeans that grow along the water with the tips of the branches
of beaver eating fish. Otter, mink and edge of the pond or stream banks. sticking above the surface.
raccoons living in the same habitat are Beaver eat green corn and some- Feed beds usually are present
likely responsible. times use the stalks for dam mainte- near a wintering active colony, but
In Missouri, silver maple, willow nance. Corn fields bordering beaver fall flooding may wash out the food
and cottonwood bark are the beavers’ colonies often have well worn trails supply. Missouri winters, even in the
preferred winter food. When these over which the beaver drag the corn northern part of the state, are relatively
foods are not available, beaver can stalks into the water. This type of mild. Streams and ponds are seldom
make do with hardwoods, such as ash, nonwoody vegetation is estimated to ice covered for long periods of time,
oak, hickory and walnut. Beaver that constitute three-fifths of the beavers’ allowing beaver to survive despite the
feed on the bark of hardwoods for an annual food. loss of their food cache. In fast mov-
extended period are poorly nourished ing streams or ones with many springs,
and have little fat reserve compared Storing food beaver may not store food for winter
to those feeding on the softer maples, and may rely exclusively on food they
willows and cottonwood. A flurry of beaver activity takes place obtain from the shore. Feeding in this
Ornamental trees such as poplar in late October and early November fashion is more common in extreme
and weeping willow, as well as apple as the colony prepares for winter. southern Missouri, where spring fed
and other fruit trees, also appeal to Dams are built up and kept in good streams and normal winter tempera-
beaver. These preferences often cause repair, saplings and trees are cut, and tures remain high enough to permit an
conflicts with people. See how to pro- the winter food supply is laid in. As ice-free flow all year.
tect these trees on Page 12. winter approaches, beaver build their
In spring and summer beaver seem food cache or feed bed. After a tree is Tree girdling
to depend less upon tree bark for food felled, the branches are cut to suitable
and turn to aquatic plants and tender lengths of 2 to 4 feet and floated to Sometimes beaver partially or com-
green shoots of terrestrial plants, such the feed bed located near the winter pletely girdle cottonwood, oak or other
as giant ragweed, pigweed, sunflower, lodge or bank dens. This food storage large trees that grow along the stream
smartweed, cattail, bulrushes, sedges, area often looks like a brush pile in the or lake bank. Beaver do not seem to be
trying to cut the tree or to obtain food
when they do this. Often the girdling
will be on the lower side of the tree
next to the water. One theory is that
beaver gnaw to maintain wear on their
teeth. Gnawing wears away the ends
of the ever-growing incisor teeth that
otherwise would grow into the lower
jaw, block the mouth, and cause the
beaver to starve. The “gnaw trees” are
often in areas where castor mounds are
found and, therefore, may have some
territorial significance.
Lodges and dens
Beaver in Missouri often select a high
bank or take advantage of the earth-
holding roots under a tree to dig a den.
The entrance may be from a few inches
to several feet below the water’s sur-
face. Beaver usually have at least two
or three entrances to their bank dens
or lodges. Only when banks are too
low to permit the digging of dens do
Missouri beaver often live in dens that beaver build lodges of sticks and mud
they have built into the stream bank. out in the middle of the pond.
8
Inside the bank den, a foot or two D[Q)rao(mn]i) blb)nu noi0 lnud@, Ji i0D nOg'ili most beaver dams is mud. The back
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above the water level, a living chamber of the dam is sticks, weeds and other
is hollowed out large enough for the People have long marveled at the natural debris to hold the mud core
beaver to feed, sleep and move about. dam building ingenuity of “nature’s of the dam together. Many people
The floor of the chamber is covered engineers.” The purpose of the dam think beaver cut trees primarily for
with shredded wood that prevents is to add more depth to a stream, building dams. Most of the sticks and
puddles of water from forming on which allows beaver more room for other debris used in building a dam
the chamber floor when beaver swim swimming, moving sticks through the are already in the pond or stream. The
into the den. Sometimes the digging water and for storing their winter food beaver simply float the material to the
of the hollowed chamber results in a supply. By regulating the water’s depth, dam and place it.
cave-in of the bank. Beaver thatch over beaver can protect the entrance to Most beaver colonies in streams
these holes with mud and sticks. These their bank dens. Beaver dams and the have one main dam, above which
mounds, referred to as bank lodges, space they provide affords safety from the colony lives and spends most of
often extend down over the bank. In predators. Beaver do not build dams in its time. There may be two or more
winter the well-maintained mud-and- larger streams where there is sufficient smaller dams built below the main
stick thatch freezes solid and keeps the depth and too much stream flow. dam to give the beaver colony more
beaver warm and predators out. In the fall, beaver pay special atten- space and mobility. Beaver often cross
In winter, the beaver can swim tion to the construction and upkeep back and forth over the dams in their
out of the lodge to the feed bed even of their dams. They build them in a daily feeding routine.
when the pond is ice covered. They narrow place in a stream, often where Beaver often dredge channels in the
may chew off a stick that is interwoven some drift or logs already constricts upper reaches of their pond to give
in the underwater storage area and the water flow. First, a few sticks, them added mobility. These are care-
bring it back into the lodge to feed on weeds, rocks or other natural debris fully constructed with the mud neatly
the bark. Ice may cover the stream or are lodged in the shallow constricted furrowed out to each side. Beaver are
beaver pond for weeks, but the beaver area, then beaver dredge up mud from more comfortable in the water and will
still have access to their food source the stream bottom with their front go to great lengths to dig channels so
under the ice. Strings of bubbles and feet and push the mud up against the they can swim rather than walk. These
discarded peeled sticks and droppings sticks, weeds and other debris. The channels also save them energy, as bea-
under the ice indicate the lodge’s sticks hold the mud in place and keep ver can tow a large tree branch in the
entrance. The ice is usually thinner it from washing away. water much easier than they can drag
right above the entrance to the lodge As the water level rises, more sticks it on the ground.
or bank dens because of the activity of are added and more mud is pushed
the beaver swimming in and out. up against the debris. The core of
Besides the main lodge
near the winter feed bed,
an established beaver
colony may have several
dens along the banks in
the same area. These bank
dens are sometimes diffi-
cult to detect. Some mem-
bers of the colony may live
in these extra dens or use
them as dining areas.
Bank dens often col-
lapse when flooded, which
may happen several times
a year. Usually beaver
abandon these caved in
bank dens and dig new
ones. After the beaver
move out, raccoons, mink,
muskrats and otters may If the bank above a den collapses, the
move in. beaver often repair it with sticks and mud.
9
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eaver have played an important sured from the top of the pelt to the tive in high quality perfumes. Most of
role in settling our state and bottom and from one side of the pelt the castor sold on the market goes to
country, and continue to be to the other. At a Hudson Bay trading the perfume trade, but it also is used
appreciated by trappers and others post, an eight-point blanket would to make trapping bait and lures. Many
who enjoy the benefits of living near a have cost eight blanket beaver pelts. animals besides beaver are attracted
thriving beaver pond. Today, a prime blanket beaver pelt is to the castor smell, including coyotes,
Trapping still is pursued by many worth about $15 in Missouri, while an raccoons and bobcats. The explorers
Missourians even though it is not as eight-point Hudson Bay blanket sells Lewis and Clark described in their
profitable as it once was. Beaver pelt for $245. By today’s standard, it would journals how to make castor bait for
prices have fluctuated widely over the take 16 prime beaver pelts to buy the trapping beaver. Modern day trappers
years. In colonial times, the beaver pelt same blanket that eight beaver pelts use similar recipes. See recipe on Page
was the standard or basis of value for once purchased. 22.
commodities or money. The famous Today few people trade beaver Although not found on many
Hudson Bay point blanket was pur- pelts for blankets. Cash is the preferred menus today, beaver tail was con-
chased with prime beaver pelts. The medium of exchange. Some Missouri sidered a delicacy by early European
blankets were marked with lines to beaver fur is purchased by the hatter trappers and Native Americans. Today
indicate how much they were worth. market to be made into expensive felt some people still regard beaver meat
For example, a blanket marked with hats. Other pelts are used for men’s as delicious, especially when cooked
five points cost five beaver pelts. Hence and women’s fur coats. with barbecue sauce. See Judy Foley’s
the term “blanket” beaver. Most people don’t think of beaver recipe on Page 11.
A blanket beaver pelt is stretched in when they purchase perfume, but Beaver have been a major influ-
the oval or round shape and measures castoreum, which is extracted from the ence on the land and on wildlife. For
a total of at least 65 inches, when mea- beavers’ castor glands, is used as a fixa- centuries beaver dams have backed up
Ways to cook beaver by Ken Drenon
Beaver can be prepared about any oughly and, after soaking overnight ◾ Kabobs are another method of
way you would beef: roasted, stewed, in a solution of water and baking grilling. Cube the meat, place on a
fried, pressured, canned, jerked or soda, you’re ready to fix your favorite skewer, alternating with vegetables
grilled. recipe, substituting beaver for beef. of your choice. Remember to use
Boned meat is easiest to work ◾ Try slicing meat from a young bacon on each side of the beaver
with. A fillet knife works well to cubes.
beaver into strips. Drop the strips
remove the backstrap, and the two into a bag containing a couple of ◾ Beaver can be ground and substi-
large chunks of meat available from
cups of flour and a couple of table- tuted for hamburger, but like veni-
each hind leg.
spoons of corn starch. Shake well, son, pork or beef fat is a necessary
One critical factor to remem-
then place the coated strips into additional ingredient.
ber when cooking beaver is to first
a deep fryer containing vegetable ◾ Everyone has their favorite stew
remove all the white fat from the
oil, and cook until golden brown.
recipes; that’s another natural
exterior and both the clear and
Drain on a paper towel, salt and
place for beaver meat.
fibrous membrane from the meat.
pepper to taste.
Use a fillet knife to cut the meat ◾ There are a number of other ways
away from the tallow or membrane. ◾ Another method is to roll up the to prepare beaver. Cy Littlebee’s
It’s a good idea to “peel” the meat backstrap, surround it with a strip Guide to Cooking Fish & Game,
even if there is no tallow because, of thick-cut bacon, peg the whole which contains several other
during skinning, fluid from the castor works with a couple of toothpicks methods of preparing beaver,
glands may contaminate the carcass, and place on the grill. Cook until is available for purchase at
giving the meat an off flavor, and just done and the juicy results www.mdcnatureshop.com.
will be every bit as good as sirloin
your kitchen a peculiar odor. —from the Missouri Conservationist,
steak.
After peeling you have dark red, February 1995
lean cuts of meat. Wash them thor-
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