Beavers are known for their eating of trees, shrubs, and in particular fresh shoots of willow, poplar or birch. While making my way back in the dark, I have cussed out the beavers for all the punji spikes they left behind. As a courtesy, they should chew things off at ground level instead of midway between the ground and my shin. Indeed, these admirable, engineering creatures have set all these punji booby traps in an attempt to impale an unwary passerby like me. Beavers have done so much of this trap setting that I have started to take it personally.
You can imagine my surprise when the last week I encountered rows of corn cut off at the ground level and hauled down the slope into the beaver’s pond.
Closeup of corn stalk cut by a beaver.
So, I wondered where did the stalks go?
Hmm, a beaver slide with a corn stalk at the end.
Closer examination, yes, beaver tracks.
Looking back up to the corn field; apparently, some beavers have taken a liking to corn on the cob.
Further along, the pond’s shoreline revealed the beginnings of a classic beaver food cache.
Perhaps this farmer is going to be seeking a trapper’s services soon?
Surprised me, this is the first time I have seen beaver depredation on a corn field, even those areas which border water. If this kind of plunder becomes wide spread, skilled trappers will be in demand. Any volunteer trappers?
WRC says
Interesting, I’ve never heard of Beavers raiding a corn field! I suppose they can eat the stalks and the corn for a winter food source? I suppose they store the corn in their lodge so it will dry out?
FirstBubba says
Can’t imagine that corn being worth much after a few days underwater!
Maybe they’ve developed a “hankering” for some ‘shine for the larder! LOL!
N.C.L.W. says
I always figured Beavers would get after whatever they could… Makes sense they’d chew it up if corn’s available to them. Still, I too have not personally seen such a thing before! Are they seriously taking significant crops out of the fields there?
Charlie says
I thought this might be an isolated incident. However, while discussing turkey hunting access with a farmer this morning he mentioned one of his corn fields along a creek was being attacked by beavers. In exchange for turkey hunting, I agreed to figure out a way to rid him of the beavers. A young lady in the area who loves to trap agreed to remove the beavers in exchange for a turkey dogging experience.
Tioughnioga says
I’ve seen beaver trails going from the river into nearby cornfields and always wondered about them. Most I could ever figure was that maybe there was a pond back beyond the cornfield, or a slough of some sort within it, that they were going to and from. Interesting. Thanks for solving the mystery.
Charlie, Mr. HuntFishTrap mentioned on Outdoor Life that you might do me the favor of passing on my email address to him. I am completely alright with that, if you don’t mind doing it.
Thanks,
Matt
huntfishtrap says
I’m very surprised you hadn’t seen that before. Beavers are a major nuisance for the farmers who grow corn along rivers and larger creeks around here. Asking if you can trap them is usually met with an enthusiastic “Hell yes! Get em all!” Usually the damage is fairly minor when compared to raccoons or deer, but I have on occasion seen pretty large sections of cornfield cleared by beavers. Sometimes their feedbeds contain more corn stalks than tree branches.