Exactly a month ago, I posted about the wildlife refuge in Montana that was saying it was trapping beavers to protect their ducks. An advocacy group was arguing that this was yet another reason to ban traps in the state, and wrote letters to the editor and refuge. I wrote a detailed post about the issue here, and wrote them with information about how to solve this problem by bringing in local Amy Chadwork to work with Skip Lisle and install a beaver deceiver.

Guess what’s happening?

Trapping

Beaver deceiver FTW

To that end, Footloose is now in talks with the refuge to help install a non-lethal device called a “beaver deceiver”—a trapezoidal fence that angles out and away from the mouth of a culvert, discouraging beavers from damming. The design was developed by Vermont wildlife biologist Skip Lisle. Beaver deceivers have proven successful in protecting culverts in Washington state; Lisle also partnered with Missoula ecologist Amy Chadwick to install such a structure near Butte last year.

Poten adds that Footloose—which intends to push its own anti-trapping ballot initiative in 2016—may also help the Lee Metcalf refuge by installing fencing around several larger cottonwoods to protect them from beavers.

Not only is the reserve doing the right thing, (albeit reluctantly) the reporter is entirely accurate and well informed! Get the champagne, this sounds like a total victory! unless….

While Reed does feel a beaver deceiver could aid maintenance in certain areas, he says it won’t solve problems with beavers refuge-wide. The refuge’s mandate is to manage for migratory birds. It may not be his preferred option, but Reed says trapping “is a management option we’ll continue to evaluate.”

Ahhh, what was it that Hamlet said?

For virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it

Which basically means that Mr. Reed may look a little bit smarter about beavers when people are watching, but he’s still massively uninformed so keep his Montana feet to the fire.

Yesterday I dutifully made space for miles of new kit footage on my computer by installing not one, but two TBs of space. The beavers decided not to reward me with a kit yet, but they did think I was worthy of grooming footage, which I’ve never gotten in 7 years of beaver watching. So I’m pretty happy. In fact, eagle eye Jon just called me to announce that you can see teats in this footage, so that’s mom! Look above where her paw is.

The family is still in full force, and the secondary dam is amazingly maintained.

We counted six beavers last night- as many as four at once! They are obviously trying to secure the area, but two tail slaps meant no kits for us. There is so much traffic on the bridge, including two rottweilers, four bicycles and a baby, because the beavers are so visible. I was jealous for the lonely days of winter. I’m starting to wish there was a librarian saying SHHHHHH at each end because I don’t want anything to spook them!

Grooming on the dam – Photo Cheryl Reynolds 2014

Great news yesterday. Martinez Kiwanis generously sent a check for the beaver festival, and Hornblower cruises donated two dining cruises to our silent auction! I hope you’re saving up!

Our friends in Montana recently posted about some traps laid for beavers “in order to protect the ducks!” (As if beavers did anything but improve the lives of ducks!) They asked if I’d repost the story here. I would be shocked but I remember when a certain reservoir in Northern California got caught shooting beavers and defended its actions by saying it was protecting red-legged frogs. People lie about beavers all the time!

A dedicated trail volunteer of 3 years at Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville, Montana quit after discovering the intentional trapping of beaver. Why would this dry arid state, with shrinking wetlands impacting rare and endangered species, reduced water resources impacting big game browse, agriculture, irrigation, fisheries and natural fire breaks, exterminate beaver? They are perhaps the most critically necessary species able to create and rectify these dwindling resources.. Why not permit them to live out their vital role in the ecosystem and find safe haven in their refuge? Instead they are being purposefully trapped and killed at our wildlife refuge specifically designed to protect species! Please support I-169 Trap Free Montana Public Lands by going to www.trapfreemt.org

I would say its ironic for a wildlife refuge to trap beavers when their job is to provide a refuge for wildlife, but we know people make dam-fool decisions whenever and wherever the animals are involved. Do they have other options? Amy Chadwick has worked with Skip Lisle to install flow devices in Montana, so they should be able to solve any problem without trapping. Footloose is a large nonprofit in Montana that works to prevent trapping on public lands. Maybe they could help raise funds for it? Worth A Dam will make sure they have all the expert advice they need to solve whatever problem they have (or imagine they have). Why don’t you write them to tell them so here and make sure you mention that Martinez has lived successfully with beavers for 7 years. Next time, before they start trapping beavers, they should know that this is the only “beaver catcher” they really need.

To play along at home, print the PDF and fold your beaver catcher like this, and follow these steps, or better yet play with your local fish and game warden or politician!

• CHOOSE AN ANIMAL THAT BEAVERS HELP

• (EVEN) CHOOSE A REAL PROBLEM THAT BEAVERS CAN CAUSE

• (ODD) CHOOSE A SILLY PROBLEM THAT PEOPLE ARE WORRIED BEAVERS CAUSE.

• READ THE ANSWER!