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Board expands $150 beaver bounty to county and state‑aid roads, adopts qualified-trapper policy
Summary
Stevens County extended a $150 beaver bounty to include county and state‑aid road systems and adopted a policy for qualifying and calling beaver trappers, including a 48‑hour response requirement and DNR licensing compliance.
The Stevens County Board voted to extend its $150 beaver bounty to include county and state‑aid roads and to adopt a written beaver-trapping policy that formalizes how qualified trappers are identified and called to respond.
Staff said the higher bounty aims to reduce stream and road damage caused by beaver dams and the county described routine mobilization costs (for example, excavator mobilization). "We trap over and move the dams each summer and fall... every time that we mobilize to go out with a excavator, drip those dams out, we're probably spending, you know, $500 in mobilization," a presenter said in explaining the policy change.
The board approved a written policy that maintains a rotational list of qualified trappers, requires permission from private landowners, and requires trappers to begin removal within 48 hours after being notified. The policy also states that trappers are responsible for DNR license requirements and nuisance permits where applicable. Staff said the list of qualified trappers will be maintained by the highway/ditch inspector and county maintenance staff, and that failure to respond to three consecutive calls can disqualify a trapper from the list.
Board action and clarifications: Commissioners adopted the bounty extension and the beaver-trapping policy by voice vote. The board discussed whether county employees could serve as qualified trappers; staff said county employees may be eligible if they comply with the policy and perform trapping outside of paid work hours with no use of county equipment.
Ending: The board directed staff to implement the policy, maintain a qualified-trapper list, and apply the $150 beaver bounty across county and state‑aid roads.
