Controlling Beaver in the Gulf Coastal Plain

From December 1979 to May 1983, beaver (Castor canadensis) control trapping was conducted in 50 impoundments in the Gulf Coastal Plain of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. About 76% of impoundments contained beaver at some time within 3 years following initial heavy trapping. Age structure of beaver from impoundments trapped for 4 successive years did not differ significantly from that of the first year. Repopulation of drained impoundments appears to be enhanced by flooding. Many beaver problems are associated with manmade levees, railroads, and other roadbeds. Site-specific beaver control appears to require sustained followup trapping in regions well populated by beaver.