Varmint guys, what's your "go to" beaver gun

The next tip is a tough one to follow - but worth it. Shoot 'em in the lip. Not kidding - try it. The beaver will climb out and die on land. It seems that he cannot hold his breath, and there is a major blood vessel in the lip/tongue area and it is at least five times more likely to get your beaver than a head shot. Even a little bullet is enough.
Sound interesting. I'll have to try this next time...
 
Nothing against shooting/trapping beavers. I always thought it was illegal to shoot a rifle over open water, atleast in Ontario mainly due to the dangers of the bullet ricocheting off the water and possibly going in an unsafe direction. Anyone know if that's true or false or are there allowances for trappers or shooting beavers?
 
Nothing against shooting/trapping beavers. I always thought it was illegal to shoot a rifle over open water, atleast in Ontario mainly due to the dangers of the bullet ricocheting off the water and possibly going in an unsafe direction. Anyone know if that's true or false or are there allowances for trappers or shooting beavers?

There is no rule against shooting over an open body of water in Ontario.....
 
The brother in-law and I have been doing this for 3 years. We both use SKS rifles for the beavers,....and tannerite stacked in a pvc Tube for the dams. BOOM ! Be very careful around these critters,...one fellow got a chunk taken from the back of his ankle by an angry beaver and was in deep trouble.! I wear my tall leather biking boots now.
 
222, beavers can vary quite a bit in weight. Suspect the Hornet to be just about equally as good.

Knew a trapper from Beaverlodge, his go-to was a Winchester in 25-20. (1950s-60s)

25-20 was perfect for the beavers in my area. The calibre was perfect as it was pretty much a straight trajectory for any distance I would find myself taking a shot at. Handy for the head shots on the beavers out for a leisure swim.

The biggest one I shot, I happened to be using my 357 mag Marlin. A 140 gr to the noggin was instant lights out. Probably 45 pounds. King of the creek that one.
 
Here is a tip for guys using little bullets. Sight your gun in at as close to the range as you usually shoot 'em - then shorten and extend your target so you know exactly where your bullets hit at each distance. Of course we usually hit the water when a beaver is swimming, so figure out the ranges so this does not happen.

The next tip is a tough one to follow - but worth it. Shoot 'em in the lip. Not kidding - try it. The beaver will climb out and die on land. It seems that he cannot hold his breath, and there is a major blood vessel in the lip/tongue area and it is at least five times more likely to get your beaver than a head shot. Even a little bullet is enough.


Ya, bridge of the nose, they go right to shore, then you hit them in the head..... but it's extremely un-ethical and not sporting, I don't dare do it... 22 mag with good bullets, 22 hornet or another gun in that area, a lot easier and nicer.... if you have real issues hitting, shotgun. But I was taught how to "call" beavers when I was young. Both with scent and with sound.... so we just shoot them on land anyways.....
 
Back
Top Bottom