Another Beaver Story

RidgeRunner

If you are opposed to pictures of animals that have been shot, then please do not look at these pictures. They are graphic.

It has been six weeks since any more beaver activity. However, two days ago it started again. My pond run-around, which is the only drain we have, has been dammed up again with mud and sticks. I opened it up two days in a row to see what happened, and it was dammed with mud again in the mornings. I began scouting in the swampy area on the shallow end of the pond and found an amazing dam that is holding water in the swampy area 18 inches higher than the pond. Eventually I plan on taking some Tannerite and try to blow a hole in the dam. That could be a fun time.

Taking Terry’s suggestion to use a more powerful caliber than the .22MAG, I decided to take my CZ 527 Varmint in Ruger .204, loaded with Federal Premium 39 grain Sierra Blitzking. (a velocity of 3552 at 50 yards, and 1093 ft.lbs of energy) The rifle is topped off with a Leupold VX3 6.5-20X40mm Long Range. I love this rifle, but I don’t care much for the scope. I believe this scope is best suited for a bench, not as a working scope. It is much too difficult to get a full field of view and the eye relief is longer than I am comfortable with. Any suggestions are welcomed.

I decided to hunt for the beaver last night. However, at 9pm I was crawling into bed. About the time I got a good hug on my pillow, my eyes popped open and I realized I had forgotten about the beaver. I got out of bed, dressed, and headed to the pond with the .204 and my Olight SR95 Intimidator light. Holding the light under this rifle is awkward, but doable. I no sooner shined the light across the pond and saw the beaver. I reckon I came down with “beaver fever“, because I missed my first two shots. I had a quick talk with myself, and in a few minutes the beaver showed his head again, moving at a pretty good pace with only his head out of the water. I waited until I had the light steady under the rifle, and for the beaver to give me a steady shot. He came almost to a complete shot when I pulled the trigger. After the “dust’ had settled, I could not see the beaver anymore. I remember saying out loud after I pulled the trigger….”that felt good….I think I got ‘em.” I continued to scan the pond until the light had almost lost it’s charge. I went back to the house and resumed hugging my pillow.

This morning I decided to see if the run-around had been mudded over again, telling me the beaver was still alive….but the openings I made were still there and water was flowing. I got my hopes up and decided to walk to the other side of the pond where I had shot at the beaver. And, son of a gun, there he was, floating only a couple of feet off the bank.

My shot was 73 yards measured with a NIKON Rifle Hunter 550.
He is 40 inches long measured with a 25 ft. Stanley Powerlock II.
My entire episode was spent wearing a pair of wore out western style Georgia Boots.
I prefer Hanes underwear……..

I think it is safe to say, the .204 round is amazing.

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303Lithgow

Beaver aren't cute so it doesn't bother me. I take it you shot it offhand at 73 yards. Nice shot.

Cigar

Darn Beavers. They been giving me trouble my whole life. Always trouble.
Glad you got her.

RidgeRunner

It was actually an elbow propped on a dock rail.

gunjunkie

I'm glad you got it.
Hopefully there aren't any more, so your spillway will stay open, but they usually don't come in singles.

Dennis H

Beaver stew tonight?

tx gun runner

I've had beaver problems my whole life . It started in High School

Terry_P

Nice shooting. I wouldn't be too hard on the scope with that kind of shooting.

north country gal

Fine shot on a moving target, for sure. Never been partial to high magnification scopes on a field or hunting gun, but that one did the trick for you, as Terry said. On a Varmint rifle, I'm partial to a 4-12 or 4-14 class scope with an AO. That's me, though. It's still very much personal preference.

bearcatter

We thought Sightngrl was the only naughty one here.....

RidgeRunner

I'm sure I would have been happier with your choice. I would change scopes, but it shoots so dang well I can't bring myself to start over. It has side focus. I had it set on 6.5X but it still did not sight the way I would like.

RetiredSeabee

I think it is safe to say Bucky never knew what hit him.
Good shooting Nightstalker.

Sightngrl

snickering.....when I first read the title......but nice shot anyhoo!