Beaver trapping ?'s

[Citori]

I've been trapping for two years now and have primarily gone after coyote, fox and coon in land sets. I have found some fresh beaver sign in my area and also have another spot I can trap them. Before I get in to deep over my head, I have a couple of ?'s.
#1. When using a foothold at a castor mound set how large should the mound be?
#2 When using a drowner does the cable need to be hidden? Can it come up out of the water or should it be under water?
#3 Can the trap(foothold) be placed under the water the same as a coon set in water?
Any pictures of a finished set would be great and help a lot.

[SNAREMAN]

The size of the mound really is'nt that important,about the size of a base-ball hat has worked well for me.Try to pick a spot on the shore-line where the beaver can see the mound from away's off.The drowner-wire can be staked above water,and probley don't need to be hidden,but it's not that hard to put some mud/leave's on it to hide it.The trap Should be set under water.The size of the trap is VERY important when beaver trapping.A trap with at least a 6 1/2in.js is what should be used [beaver have a HUGE back foot]To get a back-foot catch,a good rule of thumb is to place your finger-tip's where the water meet's the shore-line,then lower your elbow to the lake/river bottom.This is where the beaver will place it's hind feet to climb on shore.Remember to off-set the trap-pan about 3in. right or left of center of the approach.Hope this help's.

[SNAREMAN]

Here's a pic. of a set I made today http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s149/trapper37/100_0357.jpg

[hunt4life]

that's set is set more for a front foot catch ain't it snareman? I'm limited on traps and use four coiled #3's and go for a front foot and thats looks like one of mine. Just questioning it to make sure i'm doing it right.

[SNAREMAN]

No,with a mound set most beaver will be carrying mud in there front paw's.The bank is pretty steep at this spot,so I placed the trap where they will put there hind foot to climb out. A bait set would be better for a front-foot catch. Most time's I just stick a 330 in front of the mound,with about 4in. of it out of the water.I had to go with the #5's at this spot because the beaver's wanted NOTHING to do with the 330's.