Posted: 6/12/2009 6:26:23 AM EDT
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A couple beaver have built a lodge next to my dock over the winter. Saw the female last weekend while camping. Male has been sighted by neighbors. Damn oversized rats need to go. Aside from being extremely destructive I'd hate to see my dog go after one of them. I have a feeling he'd lose very badly.
I'm in a little cove with a small window to safely shoot one depending on which way they are crossing. Is trapping really viable? Is a .22 enough? The SKS would echo through that cove like a damn freight train. Any other alternatives to get rid of the bastards? Thanks, SCBB |
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I've exterminated two of the buck-toothed beasties at my friend's 75 acre pond over the past couple of years. .223 AR-15 at approx. 75 yards on the 1st one and approx 50 yards on the second. First one was a head shot and he went down hard. The 2nd one moved as I pulled the trigger and got him right behind the right shoulder. He went in the water, swam about 10 yards and sank like a rock.
They are destructive as hell and the owner tried live traps but they are too smart for getting captured so they had to be killed. |
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I tried trapping them. Muskrats hit the traps and the beaver built dams right on top of them. .17 or .22 works wonders. I've killed dozens on our land up north. can't kill em fast enough. In WI you can kill em at night with a light. Not sure what the law is in your state. Ask a game warden. Good luck and have fun. |
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2 best ways I trapped beaver, 1. tear hole in damn, put trap near hole in deep enough water to not catch the front leg or muskrats, have trap attached to a long wire which is attached to the dam and the bottom of a strong stake in deep water, beaver swims around stake and drowns. 2. use sticks to force the beavers into a narrow chute, install large Conibear trap, muskrats will drive you crazy on this one.
You can also shoot them late in the evening or after dark with a light. Be sure to check your local laws as every suggestion I have is most likely illegal now. If you want to become an expert at sharpening knifes and skinning, try to skin and stretch the pelt. Hours of fun plus you won't need handcream for a month. |
