Beaver Dam breaking tips

[Big Tuna]

Noticed on weekend that ATV trail has the water level coming up in one of the swamp crossings.
New beaver dam formed about 30 yards into swamp from trail so not safe to cross at one spot, which blocks out river access for us. Will be work just getting to the dam off trail.

Will start trapping after deer hunt is done and hunt dogs start their 50 week recovery after their 2 weeks of work.

Plan to break dam during week 2 of deer hunt. Will return two weeks later to start trapping by placing conibears at points they are leaving water to get new wood. Will also place a set at dam break after water flow slows down. Will trap near hut after ice has formed (will pre mark on hut where water exit is). Will check if water is deep enough for winter snaring if any remain. Verify they are gone in spring.

Question:
Other than hard labour, are there tips to breaking a dam open.
Is easier to work top down, or back side in.
May try chainsaw to hack into the wood and mud and then pry bar apart.
Looking for tips learnt from others experience even though I will get it done with muscle power and patience.

[FishHog]

Well I have broken out hundreds and if you can get low at the back of them, start pulling out all the supporting structure from the back before you get water flowing. Its just easier and you will get less wet. Chest waders and good gloves and get in there.

Years ago I bought a pitch fork and bent the tongs 90 deg to make a good tool for pulling them apart. But still lots of manual work. You can start from the top, but its more work than necessary if you can get at it from the back.

[Tigboy 304]

Hey big tuna, have you ever used tannerite if not check out youtube I'm sure it would fit the bill and make your life a lot easier.

[Big Tuna]

Played with Tannerite in a field twice before. Was quite the surprise shooting the first time with a full pound.
Will keep that as plan B.
Will watch a few Tannerite on beaver dam videos tonight and see if I want to move it to plan A.

[Deer Hunter]

Get yourself a Muck Scoop, these work great on beaver dams.
Made by TIME Ltd in New liskeard, or try Sling Choker or Ackland
Good Luck with those darn beavers....and the Deer too....
MUCK-SCOOP-1.jpg

[SongDog]

Threw a boat anchor on a damn before with 100 feet of chain hooked to a tractor, Took a few tries but worked pretty good. Could likely do it with a quad


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[tom gobble]

Grappling hook and your ATV. Make sure you get most of it out otherwise they will fix it over night

[Bushwhacker]

Shoot ‘em to pieces with a .50 cal
That should solve the problem in a hurry

[Fenelon]

My experience is anything less than a 10 foot breach and they'll have the dam fixed by morning. Ive shoved a 12 foot section of perforated 6 inch big o pipe into a dam before, about 2 foot down from the face. Beavers packed it back in but they never plugged the pipe end that was a good 8 feet upstream from the dam face. Make sure it's either on your private property or on your registered line if it's on crown (you're the 01 trapper for the land). Could cost you a pile of money in court if it isn't !

[impact]

This guy I know would drop a molotov cocktail down the vent shaft of their house in the dead of winter in order to deal with nuisance beavers.
Highly dangerous but there would be zero problems the following spring.
I do not recommend anyone doing this for obvious reasons....lol