70-Pound Beaver Trapped in New York

An 18-year-old New York trapper caught a massive 70-pound beaver on the Susquehanna River in Tioga County, New York, on the second day he ever trapped.

Here are some details from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:

Bryan Lockman had snagged a 70-pound beaver.

That was last Wednesday. On the previous day, which was his first attempt at beaver trapping, Lockman nabbed a 35-pounder — two days, two catches, but nothing the next two days before taking a Christmas break.

By wildlife standards, Lockman’s catch was indeed big — even among a species listed as one of the largest-sized rodents in North America.

The average adult beaver’s weight ranges from 35 to 60 pounds — mostly around 40 to 45 pounds, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Based on weight, Dave Henderson, outdoors writer for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, said the beaver was probably living a sedentary life in peaceful water — just eating and taking it easy, so to speak.

In a state Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife newsletter, biologist Gordon Batcheller said that a 70-pound beaver is “large by any standard” and would probably be at least 4 years old.

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5 thoughts on “70-Pound Beaver Trapped in New York

  1. Any seasoned beaver trapper would have this beautiful creature preserved by a taxidermist to admire in his (or her) golden years to relive the thrill of discovering it in the trap and tell the story of the one that didn’t get away to future generations of trappers. What a magnificent animal.

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