I know the title of this thread could bring up all kinds of input. I'm talking about the tree chewing, dam building, rodent version.

Sat morning, I noticed a tree between the house and the lake with the evidence of a beaver knawing on it (3-4 in dia). I walked the edge of the lake a few hundred yards and there were some smaller trees gone. The hoses on my boat lift have some teeth marks in them, not good.

I thought beavers preferred moving water where they could build a dam. There are no creeks feeding the lake within a mile of here. Where would they be setting up shop or do they travel long distances?
A neighbor in the next cove over said he saw one swimming the bank a couple of weeks ago. Again, no moving water.

My son wants to set some traps but not sure the success rate without knowing where the den is. Of course he could simply die from lead poisoning if he presents the opportunity.