Question about shooting Beaver

[Sourdough]

OK, I know this is the trapping forum.  But I came here because most hunters don't know anything about beavers, trappers do.  We are having a severe neusence beaver problem.  No one wants to trap them, and there is so many they are really causing problems.  I have been contacted about removing them.  I am not a trapper, I tried last year but had little success.  I can float down the river and see 20 to 30 out on the bank, and just as many in the water.  I am wanting to shoot them.  We tried last year and was able to kill them with a well placed .22RF short to the head.  Problem is that they flop around and sometimes get into the water where it is hard to retrive them.  Was wondering what a body shot using a .223 round with something like a Nosler Ballistic tip would do.  Need something that would anchor them on the spot.  Or a body shot with a .17HMR.  Hoping someone has experience in this, since I don't.  Looking for advise, don't want to blow them up either.  Want to be able to sell the pelts.

[Bogmaster]

 It is illegal to shoot beaver in many states(mine included).
 The problem you experienced last year,is experienced by many that shoot beaver.Some have a long handled net,and head for a beaver -full throttle, once they pull the trigger..
 A beaver is a tough animal, a large percentage of those people think they killed--are still reproducing.I have been brought into areas to trap beaver, where they had told me they had shot and killed 40 or 50.Needless to say,I ended up with a large assortment of lead I removed from beavers I had trapped.
 If you want to learn how to trap them--tune in and ask. Trapping is the most efficent way to control a beaver popultion--shooting is not.
 If you wish to learn more on trapping them, you are at the right place..
 Tom

[Totenkopf]

 Bogmaster is right. I do shoot beaver on occasion. But there is no substitute for trapping. Locally we have had a bounty on them for 4 years. I do not own a 17 hmr. With rimfires head shots are the only sure way to dispatch them. In 22 mag, I like 40 gr win. In 22 lr I use stingers. For centerfire I have had excellent results with 17 rem. Center vital shot puts them out quickly no exit. The one's I have shot with a 223 were ruined.

Trapping is very easy once you get some input. It is the only effective method. They soon get shy when you blast at them with even a hi vel 22 lr.

[The Poet]

                 Sourdough,

       Snares set on their runs, their trails, along the banks of ponds and creeks
are the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to trap beaver.
 I used to shoot them with a shotgun by looking for the 'v' going across the water at night.
 'But that is probabaly illegal'.
To trap them,  just set snares on their trails.
No wading in the freezing water, or buying expensive traps, no bait,
 and it is easy to check the snares and to retrive the beavers.


                                   The Poet
                       http://jacksknifeshop.blogspot.com/
                     

[Sourdough]

Can not have a trap or snare out on land during the spring.  All traps and snares must be in the water.  And being that I am working in a flowing river there is the problem.  So it is easier to just shoot them.

There is a trapper that works the area.  He gets real belligerent if he thinks someone is using his trapping trails or looking over his area.  But he does not trap beaver in the river.  Conditions have gotten so bad the Army Corps of Engineers is screaming about them.  Yet no one seems interested in trapping them.  Any sets you make will most likely be taken out by trees washing down stream, or stolen by Bunny and Beaver huggers that Kayak the river during the spring.  This river sees a huge amount of trees washing down stream every spring.  Plus the river fluctuates from only a couple of feet deep to 10 or 12 ft during high water.  And a pretty strong current.

[trappnman]

then the C of E needs to budget money to have those beaver removed-

most contracts like that are in the range of $150-200 a day.

[fishdaddy]

if your just wanting them dead shoot them with a shotgun with 00 buck shot.

[Sourdough]

No, I also want to save the pelts.  Alaskan Beaver pelts are worth quite a bit.  Definately worth skinning.  And the reason I am asking is I want to find the right cartridge and load that will kill them without them getting into the river where I can lose them.  Also I need a round that won't destroy them, or do a pass through.   

[fishdaddy]

if you want to save them why not trap them?

[rzwieg]

Sourdough; If you've given up on trapping them, try a full choked 12 ga with 3" #4 buck. A family friend had good luck with that combo.

[Sourdough]

After reading a lot of different things here and elsewhere, I went to talk to the area biologist.  He gave me  some insite into what to expect when shooting them. 

First I am going to try shooting them with my .223, using Barnes Varmint Grenades. 
Second I am going to try shooting them with my bow using Broadheads and a barbed arrow.

I'll let everyone know how it works in April when the river opens.

As for trapping them under the ice, NO WAY.  These beaver are not on a lake, they are in a river that flows all winter under the ice.  I don't walk out onto frozen rivers when the water underneath is flowing period.  17 years ago while crossing a frozen river I broke through.  I was swept away by the current down stream under the ice.  I survived, once is enough for one lifetime.  I can wait till April and May when the river breaks up and I can gain access with a boat.

[Rustyinfla]

 Sourdough,

    A lot of "bowfishermen" around here will shoot a barbed arrow tied to a bleach jug into a gator when hunting them with a permit. It usually takes two or more arrows to get one to where you can hit it with a bang stick.
  One arrow into a beaver then snag the line should work. Good luck, tell us how it all turns out.