Why is it that everyone who hates beavers in Massachusetts looks and sounds exactly the same? No, really. I’m not kidding. Change the name and you could run the same story over and over.

Natick: Some want beavers removed at Dug Pond

NATICK – Bill Kinsman says he knows what is causing damage along the shore of Dug Pond.

“There’s no doubt about it,” Kinsman said as he walked Wednesday past two oak trees that had a significant amount of their trunks nibbled away.

Kinsman believes beavers are the culprits, and it’s hard to argue with him. Several trees have seen the effects of the gnashing of beaver teeth, with wood shavings scattered about as evidence. Others have that classic cone-shape that occurs just before a tree topples after excessive nibbling.

Kinsman was joined by his wife, Karen, on his stroll along the pond. Karen Kinsman, 58, grew up on the pond, and spent many hours playing in the nearby woods. She hates to see beavers destroy her beloved trees.

“If I had a choice between beavers and the trees, I would choose the trees,” Karen said.

How about if your choice was between beavers and drought or beavers and fewer birds? Would you still pick the trees? Something tells me you would.

A trapper could be hired, but a damage assessment and getting a sense of how many beavers are involved would first have to be determined, White said. Permits would also be needed to eradicate the beavers, and the entire process, including trapping the critters, requires approval by the Board of Health and Conservation Commission.

This isn’t the first time Natick has faced a beaver problem. Just last year, the town hired a trapper to kill beavers at St. Patrick’s Cemetery along Dug Pond.

“There was a lot of beaver activity (at the cemetery),” White said. The problem extended along Lakeview Avenue to Windsor Avenue, and there was a second area of beaver activity, from Farwell Street to Cottage Street to Countryside Road. White said the town thought the problem was solved, but after one population was removed, another arrived.

Wait. Just hold on a second. You JUST said that after on family was killed another arrived. Didn’t you just say that? So clearly killing a family isn’t the secret way to solving your problem. Maybe, oh I don’t know wrapping the friggin’ trees you want to protect would be a better solution?

Bill said it’s a public safety issue, pointing to tree nibbled on by beavers that fell into the pond, because it could have hit an unsuspecting swimmer or boater.

While they hate to see anything bad happen to the beavers, the couple say it’s more important to protect the natural beauty around Dug Pond.

And, Bill thinks the beaver nibbling extends beyond trees. He mentioned a metal piece on his canoe chewed down to a nub.

“What else would have done that?” Kinsman asked.

Oh Puleeze! You think a beaver chewed your canoe? You think beavers are public safety hazards? You’re a public safety hazard. Goodness gracious. It’s too bad your canoe was chewed but anything could have done that. I doubt it was a beaver. Your puppy. A passing toddler. A porcupine. 

Any why do reporters allow people to say they want beavers ‘removed’. Why don’t they make them say they want them killed? And why isn’t the title of this article “Natick: Some want another temporary solution at Dug pond.”

Honestly. when is the bay state going to get ANY smarter about beavers? I’m holding my breath.

“I wish the beavers could be relocated, but I don’t want to lose what little forest we have left,” Karen said.