Petersen 1935 by recency of signs as tracks, cuttings, trampled grass), driving a stake in water near shore + another in deep water in midstream, connecting the two stakes with heavy wire - from top of stake on shore to lower end of stake in deep water, with ring of trap chain running thru the wire thus permitting drowning of beaver when caught, otherwise the animal may break a grow of post. A willow crotch is wired to the lower end of the wire so that chain ring may easily slip by downward but cannot come back up. Sack of sand a rock may be used for anchoring lower end of wire in midstream - See illustration; Two small stakes may be driven down on each side of trap. stake Water Crotch Wire Trap Ring stake small stake River Bottom Cross Section Stream & Bank. According to Mr. Evert , old trapper, a congenial talkative fellow, beavers travel long distances - may not frequent a certain portion of stream for a week. Never catch