BeaverCount Toponce

Get involved with your watershed. Check out our M.A.R.S. program for chance to help!

Watershed Guardians PO Box 634 Pocatello, ID 83204US

Details:

When:

June 14th, 2025. Toponce BeaverCount

Where:

Meet at the 78 & Main Cafe in Lava Hot Springs at 8AM. We will depart by 9 and arrive at the Toponce Trail head by 10. We are looking for sponsors who can help cover the cost of bag lunches.

What to expect:

Expect to get you feet wet unless you have waterproof muckboots. There will be some bushwhacking in thick brush. There is a possibility of hot to moderate temps, rain, sheep, sheepdogs (not for petting) bugs and freezing rain. Yet, it can be an rewarding and invigorating experience. There is also a potential for interaction with cows, sheep, sheepdogs (leave them alone), deer, elk, moose, sheep-herders, and other wildlife.You must travel in groups of two or more. Register below.

Who:

Who may participate;

Trained Flat-tailers OR those who are willing to join a training squad this before hand
Those in good physical condition.
Those with partners. All participants must work in a team of 2 or more. Call ahead to join a team (208) 232-0825.
Those who have been through Beavercount training will be given preference. (Space limited to 15)
Youth with accompanying responsible adult(s) can participate too! Must follow instructions, have fun and learn.

Minimum gear requirements

Clothing

What We provide

Waterproof boots (muck boots or sturdy boots such as Sorrells
non-cotton undershirt
non-cotton pullover or sweater
waterproof outer shell (jacket) with hood
wool socks
WoolSun hat
Extra: Jacket, hat,

What We provide

Log sheet
Fliers (Beaver Factoids to hand out).
Tracking chit
Maps (2 per team)
Fuel cards (Students only)
Logistical Support
Bag lunch ( if we get a sponsor!)

Other Gear:

What We provide

The basic outdoor consideration

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
Extra Water, Walking Poles, Sunglasses
Walking Sticking
First aid kit (bandage, gauze, tape, astringent, antibiotic)
Fire-starting kit or waterproof matches and kindling
Water and water bottle
Flashlight
Sun protection
You may also bring your own: Map, compass,
Binoculars

The basic outdoor consideration

"When technology fails in the wilderness and you have no skills, you are going to die"--Mike Doyle,

The basic outdoor consideration

You are being asked to transport yourself on a windy, winter road to a destination that will likely have mud on the road. Only pull over in designated, plowed parking lots. If you get stuck, stay in your car Put the flashers on. Wear bright clothing.

Cell phone service is sketchy.

Once you reach the creek, be careful not to get too close to the edge, The banks can become soft. It can be very difficult to extract yourself from the pond. It may be easier to remove your shoes.

You may also choose to travel through the brush. Be mindful of your eyes that you don't smack the person in the eye behind you.

Your poles are like a second set of legs, They can help you climb, navigate through the brush, keep you upright and could help keep wild animals away. Use them

Cows and sheep will likely be in the area.

You may also run into campers or fishermen. If the opportunity presents itself, hand out a flier (provided).

Thank you!

"When technology fails in the wilderness and you have no skills, you are going to die"--Mike Doyle,

Factors that influence survival: Will to survive, knowledge, equipment-technology fails. Most of it depends upon you remaining calm and using your knowledge:

Enemies of survival: Pain, cold, thirst, hunger, fatigue, boredom, loneliness and unwillingness to stay put
Factors that influence survival: Will to survive, knowledge, equipment.
Fitness. We give you the opportunity to test your physical abilities. It is up to you to decide when to quit. Do not over-tire yourself.

Do not underestimate the importance of staying hydrated. You can help with this by hauling warm water in your spare socks. As you drink the warm water, you can replenish it with snow and double the amount of water available.

Beavercount-Toponce

BeaverCount 2025

One of my favorite trips to this creek was 6 years ago when I went on a fishing trip with my good friend, Scott Worth. There were multiple beaver ponds and we each had our own technique for approaching the wily cutthroats. His was to drop a dry fly from the upper end of the pond and let it slowly drift down , stripping out line as you go, keeping the line somewhat taught, but not causing a drag riffle. One can easily see th fish strike the fly.

Mine was to sneak in the stream channel just below the pond so that my eye-level was the same as the top of the pond and cast upstream and drag the the fly back at the same , slow speed as the pond current. If you are quick, you can see the fish hit. We both used the Adams special fly.

This stream is one of only a handful of streams that are protected through a controlled trapping permit. However, based on our previous data, it is apparent that the 5 beaver per year take is too much, or there is simply no enforcement on trapping regulations. The data that you collect will help us (continue) to make the case that this area should be closed to trapping.

Toponce basin is a beautiful spot in Caribou County along the Portneuf basin and it is well worth exploring. Why not Count beaver activity while you're there!

Summary of the Toponce Beaver

Location: South Fork Toponce Creek Caribou County, Idaho.

Specific Name: South Fork, Toponce Creek

Stream length: 8.2 miles

8.3 miles

Total length: 13.2 miles Includes South Fork Toponce up to fence.

Management: USFS Westside Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Idaho Fish and Game, Region V, Dan Garren Regional Supervisor

Beaver Trapping: Currently restricted to 5 animals per year

Miles censused: 13.2

We have seen increased pressure in this area due to both regulated and un-regulated uses. Competing uses include grazing, irrigation and target shooting. We have petitioned the Idaho Fish and Game to close this area to trapping for the past two (four years) comment periods.

Photo Gallery

Collin checking out the basin from a cliff. Great vantage point!

Fresh cuts on willows from 2019 Count.

This image shows how beaver will re-use old branches from a decayed dam to produce another, new dam. Refurbished!

You'll need a good pair of shoes participate in BeaverCount. Kitti and Richard can tell you!

Moose and beaver go together like peanut butter and chocolate! (Joan Bernt)

This is a lot different than our February "Count". You really have to look hard to see activity!

BeaverCount - Toponce

Details:

When:

Where:

What to expect:

Who:

Minimum gear requirements

Clothing

What We provide

What We provide

What We provide

What We provide

What We provide

Other Gear:

What We provide

The basic outdoor consideration

The basic outdoor consideration

"When technology fails in the wilderness and you have no skills, you are going to die"--Mike Doyle,

The basic outdoor consideration

"When technology fails in the wilderness and you have no skills, you are going to die"--Mike Doyle,

"When technology fails in the wilderness and you have no skills, you are going to die"--Mike Doyle,

"When technology fails in the wilderness and you have no skills, you are going to die"--Mike Doyle,