Pesky Beavers -
- Thread starter coltfan
- Start date
BEAVERS ARE BIG ANIMALS!
Contact a CO for advise or your local dnr office.
A .22 is of course good enough , shoy placemet, range blah blah blah, But these animals can reach 60-100lbs, most are in the 30-40 range, but I would not use a .22.
I doubt if you will get permission to shoot one, you MIGHT get permission to trap one out of season.
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Looks like shooting them is allowed......
http://www.lrconline.com/Extension_Notes_English/pdf/bvr.pdf
I'll rethink the .22cal rimfire choice...looks like a little more oomph is required..
What tag would I need to put on my outdoors card ?
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- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
A .22 centerfire is a good solution and it doesn't sound like you are interested in pelts. I think an appropriate amount of Austin's 60% dynamite at the base of the dam on the high water side is pretty effective too, and will often kill many of the beavers, but if you go this route careful not to wash out any roads or property down hill from the dam. A couple of years ago I recall the Trans-Canada near Kenora was washed out by an enthusiastic beaver control crew.
If you blast, after the smoke clears and the survivors come out to repair the dam, you can be waiting to snipe them off.
If you blast, after the smoke clears and the survivors come out to repair the dam, you can be waiting to snipe them off.
22 and shoot them in the ear area. They will start to kick afer 30 sec again. Just give them another one then. If you have a 22 mag or a hornet works even better. The ear area is key. Shot many along rivers, creeks this way. For ones that go into hiding around the trees and shrubs, try the 375H&H, they really find out that they they can run but can't hide.
keith
keith
I wouldnt use a .22lr. They will most likely swim away and you'll never know if you killed it or just wounded it. My dad used to use a .22mag when he was younger and had good luck with neck and head shots. I got a couple to get rid of this year, .223 will be my choice
There is a bounty on them in my area . I used a 22 once and only once as they got away and died later. I generally use my 30/30, or down to a shotgun with buck shot. ( Oh Carry a fishing rod). I forgot once and had to cross 40 yards of water to retrieve up to my waste.
Threemorewishes
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa Ontario Canada
We have a big beaver problem at our country place. Their idea of landscaping does not fit with our idea of landscaping. Our first option was blowing everything up. It did not work because when we went back to the city for the work week the beavers started theirs. When we came back on Friday it was all fixed. It may have been successsful if we kept it up and never let them build a head of water but we did not have the time or the money for that option.
Even though it did not work it was my favourite option. I had visions of Bill Murray in Caddyshack. Be prepared, without blast mats to direct the blast your going to make a huge, stinking mess. The water once realeased enmass will do alot of damage downstream. If you have neighbours that your blasting actions affect, better let then know what your doing, or better yet, invite them to participate. We learned this the hard way when our blasting actions ruined the farmers water hole he used for his cattle. We helped him for a few weekends after that to make him happy. Haying at 40 years old is not a good weekend spent! Haying is for younger men.
We used a multy-shot charge as the dam was almost 80 feet long and at least 5 feet high. Another big mistake. The wall of water that came out of the holes did more damage than the beaver was doing.
The next option and the best one in my mind is to have someone trap them. This way the land is not destroyed, the beaver pelt gets used and even the meat if the trapper has a dog.
We had beaver free years when the local trapper was given permission to use the land for a trap line. When the local trapper retired and no one was available to take his place we resorted to guns. We dont collect the fur so we use a centrefire rifle in 30-06 or 308. Smaller stuff will work if you have a good opportunity to aim at the right place but the big guns take all the guess work out of the equation. He may swim away with a 22 in him but he wont with a body shot from a 30-06 or 308.
We had one take a full load of 00 Buckshot and still make it to the shore trying to get under the bank. Since using the 308 they all die, right away.
One problem with guns is still time. You have to get them all or the damage continues. Even taking out the local population is a short term solution. The next generation is soon to come waddling down stream or up stream to find your pond and tender trees.
Good luck, be safe and take lots of pictures.
Threemorewishes
Even though it did not work it was my favourite option. I had visions of Bill Murray in Caddyshack. Be prepared, without blast mats to direct the blast your going to make a huge, stinking mess. The water once realeased enmass will do alot of damage downstream. If you have neighbours that your blasting actions affect, better let then know what your doing, or better yet, invite them to participate. We learned this the hard way when our blasting actions ruined the farmers water hole he used for his cattle. We helped him for a few weekends after that to make him happy. Haying at 40 years old is not a good weekend spent! Haying is for younger men.
We used a multy-shot charge as the dam was almost 80 feet long and at least 5 feet high. Another big mistake. The wall of water that came out of the holes did more damage than the beaver was doing.
The next option and the best one in my mind is to have someone trap them. This way the land is not destroyed, the beaver pelt gets used and even the meat if the trapper has a dog.
We had beaver free years when the local trapper was given permission to use the land for a trap line. When the local trapper retired and no one was available to take his place we resorted to guns. We dont collect the fur so we use a centrefire rifle in 30-06 or 308. Smaller stuff will work if you have a good opportunity to aim at the right place but the big guns take all the guess work out of the equation. He may swim away with a 22 in him but he wont with a body shot from a 30-06 or 308.
We had one take a full load of 00 Buckshot and still make it to the shore trying to get under the bank. Since using the 308 they all die, right away.
One problem with guns is still time. You have to get them all or the damage continues. Even taking out the local population is a short term solution. The next generation is soon to come waddling down stream or up stream to find your pond and tender trees.
Good luck, be safe and take lots of pictures.
Threemorewishes
I have used everything from .17 HMR to 30-06. My personal favorite is the .17 HMR it takes them out cleanly up to 100 yds with a headshot, quiet and effective. If you have snoopy neighbours then 22 subsonics at 40yds or less is the silent treatment.
Brian
Brian
- Location
- Monteregie Quebec
A Conibear 330 type trap is very silent and very effective. I harvested 105 beavers last fall (Nov-dec) with that method. The pelts sold at NAFA brought enough money to pay for the gaz I used during trapping season.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I've shot many nuisance beavers with a .22 LR, and don't recommend it. A .22RF mag HP is MUCH more effective and humane. A .22 hornet is about perfect.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
A .22WMR seems to be one of the top spring beaver cartridges that trappers use around this area.
In my experience, a .22 worked just fine. The trick is to use a semi and pop off 3 or 4 shots immediately . I normally only see the head as they swim and the first shot normally sends them diving. The next 2 or 3 shots, however, have a bigger target as the beaver arches his back to dive. If you use a lever or a pump, the beaver is ususally under water by the time you're ready for the next shot.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
Most up here use a 22.
I used a 22 myself for years, but a 22mag works better.
My favouritwe is a down loaded 222 Remington, but i also use a Hornet at times.
NONE WORK WELL if the critter is no hit in the ear on a side shot or right in the nose on a frontal shot.
I keep my shots inside 20 yards with the center fires and inside 15 with the 22.
Cat
I used a 22 myself for years, but a 22mag works better.
My favouritwe is a down loaded 222 Remington, but i also use a Hornet at times.
NONE WORK WELL if the critter is no hit in the ear on a side shot or right in the nose on a frontal shot.
I keep my shots inside 20 yards with the center fires and inside 15 with the 22.
Cat
I have never checked the rules, but if they become a nuisance at my place I'll shoot one.
I'll use a shotgun with 000buckshot, and since they come out at dusk and dark I'll put a light on the shotgun. You really don't want to wound it and have it swim away.
I'll use a shotgun with 000buckshot, and since they come out at dusk and dark I'll put a light on the shotgun. You really don't want to wound it and have it swim away.
