I have been asked to get rid of some badgers on a small farm. The owners have tried traps, drowning and other methods to no avail,so it seems like lead is the next option. Would a .22 be good enough? I haven't seen the property, so I'm not sure about proximity of neighbors, etc. The .22 is scoped and very accurate, plus quiet compared to my other options, which are various .30 cal milsurps with iron sights. I'd like to do it as covertly as possible, no need to stir up the whole countryside if it can be avoided.
.22LR Suitable for badgers?
- Thread starter RMXC51
- Start date
A badger can be a pretty mean customer. That being said, a rimfire could be used but you would need to be within 50m. and have very precise bullet placement. Patience and careful stalking would be your only choices. The best choice would be a .22 centerfire in the 223---22-250 range. Your 30 cal rifles are not likely the best option, aside from noise, the over penetration and potential downrange overshoot is critical.
Iron sights aren't optimal either, while a badger can be a fair sized animal --- they are built low to the ground and move quite rapidly... making shot opportunities more challenging.
Iron sights aren't optimal either, while a badger can be a fair sized animal --- they are built low to the ground and move quite rapidly... making shot opportunities more challenging.
- Location
- Houston, TX
Head shot will work. Otherwise you are way under-powered for a humane kill.
IIRC they are protected here in Ontario.. either 'at risk' or 'endangered'.. can't remember
I have seen video of honey badgers INSIDE the hive of the African 'killer' bee.. They are absolutely fearless (and freakin love honey!!) I also viewed the dead corpse of one inside a hive that obviously would not stop going for the honey no matter the cost. They are the toughest most tenacious creature for the size anywhere IMHO. If I had to kill one I would use a large calibre pistol or non-rimfire rifle or shotgun, as I would not want it angry at me...
I have seen video of honey badgers INSIDE the hive of the African 'killer' bee.. They are absolutely fearless (and freakin love honey!!) I also viewed the dead corpse of one inside a hive that obviously would not stop going for the honey no matter the cost. They are the toughest most tenacious creature for the size anywhere IMHO. If I had to kill one I would use a large calibre pistol or non-rimfire rifle or shotgun, as I would not want it angry at me...
I would check the laws around badgers for the province that you are in, I also believe you can not shoot them in Saskatchewan either with out a permit. Also I would recommend something larger then a 22lr as they everyone has said they are quite a vicious animal and I would not want to be close if you just wound one.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
A .22 will easily dispatch a badger with a side-of-the-noggin hit but a head-on shot is a little more "bullet placement' critical.
They have a head that has a long slope to the forehead similar to a Grizzly bear so bullet deflection is a definite possibility without an eyeball hit on a face on shot. Body shots to the boiler room with a .22 will kill them as well but not instantly like you probably want too.
All of the above is experience from a lifetime of farm living and having to dispose of the odd one of these critters from time to time.
They have a head that has a long slope to the forehead similar to a Grizzly bear so bullet deflection is a definite possibility without an eyeball hit on a face on shot. Body shots to the boiler room with a .22 will kill them as well but not instantly like you probably want too.
All of the above is experience from a lifetime of farm living and having to dispose of the odd one of these critters from time to time.
Would using a round like the CCI Velocitor help? It is a 40gr plated hollowpoint going 1450fps, seems like it might be a decent performer.
Guys that have used it like it a lot but I see a lot of comments from people that haven't even seen the rounds. Is it that uncommon? I don't hunt much more than grouse with my .22lr but bought some Velocitors just in case I ever had to use it for something like the OP's situation.
Guys that have used it like it a lot but I see a lot of comments from people that haven't even seen the rounds. Is it that uncommon? I don't hunt much more than grouse with my .22lr but bought some Velocitors just in case I ever had to use it for something like the OP's situation.
.22 wmr would be way better than .22lr but if your options are limited the Remington yellow jackets do work. but use more than 1. I,ve seen badgers hit by one ton trucks and get up and chase the truck. and don't bother trying to dig down to them either. they're really unpleasant when backed into a corner. a 12ga with a no.4 will work
I took a small badger about 4 years ago west of Edmonton. Under 30 yards, broadside through the shoulder with a .223 using WW white box 45gr ammo. He didn't move more than a couple feet but the part that surprised me was the lack of an exit wound. Tells me they are a well built little critter.
My own 2 cents on this would be to use more gun than a .22 LR. A badger is a very muscular and rather tenacious animal. The few I've shot have been with a .22 Hornet and a .223 Rem, and my preference definitely leans towards the latter -- particularly if you want to recover the animal (they make a very interesting full mount or rug) rather than lose it down a hole.
As for honey badger, trying to shoot one of those with a .22 borders on madness. One of my favourite stories from a PH friend was about dealing with a honey badger that got into the camp kitchen and had everyone up on top of tables trying to stay out of its way before he shot it with a .454 Casull ... twice. As for the one I intentionally hunted and shot myself, it fell to a .30-06. I didn't feel overgunned
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
My own 2 cents on this would be to use more gun than a .22 LR. A badger is a very muscular and rather tenacious animal. The few I've shot have been with a .22 Hornet and a .223 Rem, and my preference definitely leans towards the latter -- particularly if you want to recover the animal (they make a very interesting full mount or rug) rather than lose it down a hole.
As for honey badger, trying to shoot one of those with a .22 borders on madness. One of my favourite stories from a PH friend was about dealing with a honey badger that got into the camp kitchen and had everyone up on top of tables trying to stay out of its way before he shot it with a .454 Casull ... twice. As for the one I intentionally hunted and shot myself, it fell to a .30-06. I didn't feel overgunned
My dad has story's about hitting badgers in Ontario with .410 slugs and having to run like heck to get away from them... One decided to attack a car tire one day and wouldn't let go, thump thump thump around it went for quite a while...
My experience with badger hunting is non existent buuuut I often use a .30 cal on Beaver in the SKS or other rifle of the day I decide to bring along.... Just got a savage 116 in aught-6 and find the 168gr Amax over 57gr of H4350 is my new favorite load, bullets don't exit the animal.
I'd use something bigger than a 22LR...as a kid I caught one digging gophers out of their holes.
I had the badger growling and just acting pissed off when I was standing over the hole with my 22LR, pretty much sounded like a demon from hell.....decided right there and then the 22 wasn't a good choice in this case so slowly just backed off.
Thankfully it went back to its pursuit of the gopher!
I had the badger growling and just acting pissed off when I was standing over the hole with my 22LR, pretty much sounded like a demon from hell.....decided right there and then the 22 wasn't a good choice in this case so slowly just backed off.
Thankfully it went back to its pursuit of the gopher!
When butchering a 250 lb pig on the farm we used to shoot it in the head with ordinary .22LR - dropped like a ROCK - instantly DEAD!!!! Don't under estimate the killing power of the .22! A gopher at 25-50 yards EXPLODES on impact -especially with CCI Stingers!
Hunter1970
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- in the shadows behind you
I dispatched many back in my younger years, all with whatever 22lr the old man had in the gun lockup. Like the others before have said, shot placement is everything. I would drop one into their ear and none needed two.
At risk of this become a badger defence thread, I will say that I have shot a truck load of badgers while living on the farm with a Ruger 10/22. I think the ammo I used to stoke those days was Imperial .22 LR hollow points. Always killed them dead - one shot. Yes they are mean, but they ain't bullet proof.
