Beaver Hunts

Beaver hunts are the primary cause of reducing Beaver numbers in Europe almost to extinction. Beavers were hunted for their fur, used for making fashionable clothes, and for castoreum, a secretion of Beaver glands, which has a medicinal value. In America, Beavers were trapped and hunted by Native Americans and settlers. These large animals provided the pioneers with meat and fur as they moved to the northern areas. Early exploration of North America was driven by a strong demand for cheaper furs.

Nowadays, Beaver hunts are banned in Europe. Beaver population is reintroduced to the rivers and streams of many European countries. Large introduced populations live in Poland, Austria, Scandinavia, Bavaria, and other countries. In Great Britain, Beavers became extinct in the 1500’s because of excessive hunting. Nowadays, small Beaver communities are established in England, Scotland, and Wales.

In the USA and Canada, Beaver hunts are legal only with a hunting license. The current population of the American Beaver is estimated to be about 15 million. Though there was a time when there were 90 million of Beavers in America, the current population is enough to preserve the species for many generations. It’s not easy to hunt Beavers, because they are nocturnal and very cautious animals with excellent hearing. Nowadays, Beaver pelts are not valuable, as there is no demand for them. Beavers are no longer hunted for castoreum and meat.

Beaver hunts may lead to serious damage of the area, because Beaver dams help maintain wetlands and control floods. Beavers contribute to the biodiversity of their habitat by creating grazing meadows, reducing erosion, and cleaning the water from toxins. Beaver dams collect pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture.

Large populations of Beavers may have negative impact on the ecosystem. Flooding caused by large dams may lead to property damage and undermining of a roadway and railway. Beaver dams can flood nesting grounds of endangered bird species. Beavers destroy old trees for making their lodges and dams. Beavers introduced to the areas with no natural predators reproduce quickly and build lots of dams, which flood many acres of land. Controlled Beaver hunts are the only way to reduce damage caused by their dams.