RidgeRunner

We have a two acre pond and sometimes we have a problem with beavers. For the last month I have been carrying my Marlin 39A in case I spotted a squirrel. This morning I found some sign of beaver activity. No cut trees, but blockage at the pond run-around that sets off alarms. Plus the water is now backed up enough to cover the dock with water. So, I am putting away the Marlin Original Golden 39A .22LR and breaking out the big gun...........haha..........CZ 452 American in .22Mag. I can still pop a squirrel, but have a little more energy for the beaver. (At 50 yds. that's about 97 ft.# vs 215) My early evenings and possible midnights will be spent looking for the beaver. I'm not positive we have a beaver, but if so, it shouldn't take too long to find. By the way....I dearly love this CZ. I have put it through alot of wear, but it is a really accurate rifle. I topped it off with a Leuopold FX3...6X42 scope. It's a nice, simple, quick action set-up for me.

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	Marlin Original Golden 39a .22LR and CZ 452 American .22Mag.JPG (1.66 MB, 22 views)
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north country gal

What a beautiful place you have, Ridge! Just gorgeous. Where's the snow, though?

If your CZ 22 mag is anything like the two we have, accuracy is a given. Both of ours are 455s, but wonderful guns, especially the 455 FS. That FX 3 6x is a great scope, too.

gunjunkie

That sure is a nice place you've got there, RR!
That 6x Leupold ought to be perfect for a .22mag.

Terry_P

Be a full moon in a few days, definite time to find out. Nice set up and a pretty place you live. How's the fishing?

RidgeRunner

Thanks y'all. I bought this place, 118 acres in 1986. It takes a bit to maintain, but it is a labor of love. The pond is stocked with bass and bluegill. My granddad always said I was the most unlucky fisherman he had ever seen, but with the pond I have a "captive audience". We seldom see snow, but when we do it is a 24 hour event.

RetiredSeabee

You have your own slice of heaven there. Hope to see you sporting a beaver pelt hat soon.

Hopalong

Nice photos, you really have a nice piece of property.

RidgeRunner

Here is a beaver I shot with my Glock 30S at about 15 yards.

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IMG_3266.JPG (1.32 MB, 14 views)

RidgeRunner

Well.......that didn't go too good. Twice I have opened the mud at the pond run-around and twice it has been packed back with mud and tree limbs. Soooo.......tonight I went down to the pond with my CZ .22 Mag and Olight SR95 Intimidator. This flashlight puts out a massive beam, but it is too large and bulky to hold under a gun while trying to aim. None the less, off I go with the CZ, Olight, and two dogs, on a hope and a prayer. My strategy has been to look for ripples. The heavier ripples tell me the location of the beaver. After maybe an hour of seeing light ripples, I spot heavy ripples. I think the beaver has been active, but more under water, until the heavy ripples appear, and then, there it is! NOW, let's calm down, hold this heavy flashlight, and rifle under my left hand....aim light and rifle at beaver....squeeeeze.....and "what the hell happened with that shot?" I could have done better throwing a brick. OK....settle down......wait another life time for ripples.....and there he is...(or she). This time the beaver is moving right to left, maybe 20 yards out.....easy shot.....fog rolling in off the bank.....easy now ....... cross hairs on the beavers head.....squeeeeze.....BANG. I quickly go to chamber another round, but the rifle jambs. Failure to eject......I focus on the rifle....Rooky move. I should have stayed focused on the target......I finally cleared and reloaded the beautiful, wonderful, sweet, lovely, darling, amazing CZ piece of crap. I should not blame the CZ.....it probably needs cleaning. But who's fault is that????..........Certainly not mine!!!! I bathe myself don't I .....shouldn't the CZ bathe itself......? So, back to the beaver....after my failed shot AGAIN...maybe.....the fog starts rolling in heavy. I am now sitting on the damp, wet, soggy, muddy, creeping up my ass, gooy pond bank, waiting for a more steady shot. All ripples have laid low......no sign of activity....Did I get it??? More fog....more wet butt...Hey, I know!!!!.....There's always tomorrow. Stay tuned.

303Lithgow

Great place. That story made me laugh.

RidgeRunner

I just got back from the pond this morning, about 6:30, and there is a knee high layer of fog over the water.

The rifle functions fine. I failed to pull the bolt back quickly and firmly. If I get weak on pulling the bolt back the shell will not release from the ejector.

All is well except for my pride. Bring on another day.

RetiredSeabee

Staying tuned for the next episode of Did he get the beaver?

Terry_P

You short stroked it a sure way to jam up the works. I'd set up a nice comfortable ground blind (chair, shooting sticks) close enough to the dam for a clear shot and wait for the full moon. Then I would knock down the dam during the daylight and head out at dusk. With that much land I'd also use a scope sighted 223 or 22/250 whatever you have. I presume the 22 Mag does less pelt damage but I would just want to get rid of them. Wait until they are out of the water and lower the boom.

moakes58

Now Wally, your being a little hard on the Beaver.

RidgeRunner

Terry, is this what you are talking about? (see pic)

I have shot beaver before with your technique (except for on land shots) and it works perfectly. I will take it to the next level as you suggest, but I hoped I would get lucky last night....and I almost did. I have shot beaver with .22mag, .204, .223, and even a .308! I love the impact of a .308 on water. With all calibers, I am very much aware of where the bullet can go. I am usually making head shots, which is about the size of a softball mostly under water, and it is moving at night. I have never had luck waiting for them to get on land. I did open the beaver dam this morning and will make another attempt to remove the beast.....haha
I will set up the bench you see in the picture, and focus on the beaver coming to the damn dam, and wait for him to climb out of the water as you suggest. Thanks for the suggestion.

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north country gal

I was just going to mention that. CZs are great bolt guns, but if you don't give the bolt a good snap to the rear, the empty just drops back into the action. To be fair, though, have had lots of other brands of rimfire bolts that had the same quirk.

Here's a trick from my coon hunting days when I was a kid. Get yourself a flashlight that mounts to your head. All hunters who hunt at night use them for a reason. You're much more likely to see an animal in the dark, especially their eyes, and with a scope, more than enough light to see the crosshairs. Also works well with iron sights. When walking, leaves both hands free. I still use such a light at night when doing astronomy with the telescopes.

If the beaver are working the dam/blockage, go out just before dark and open it up. Set up nearby and wait. Should get you a shot out of water. No need to take shots underwater.

Terry_P

We are all expecting dead beaver pics tomorrow, oh excuse me harvested beaver pics tomorrow.

tx gun runner

I never had a problem with beavers swimming in my pond if they were SKINNY DIPPING .

303Lithgow

When you do get the beaver we want pictures.

bearcatter

I could never hunt unless I had to for food. Everything is just so darned cute........