I think kusko or otterman can't remember which was an experienced beaver shooter (plenty of others too in Alaska or Canada ) ,very limited legality in lower states . What is the most common reaction for a beaver that has been well hit by a small caliber center-fire ? Such as ,just sink ,thrash , flop tail .

Sinks…..then the fun begins!

They will sink. either immediately or with a few seconds. Only shoot if youre ready to get to it quickly. Carry a stick with a hook on the end or a scoop net.

Thanks I do appreciate that .

They seem to float longer in the spring. I thought struck and loss would be really high in the spring hunt. But it was not. In the fall they sink really quick maybe because they are heavier?

Use a bigger gun.

Thanks More lead =,less deflection I guess. Thanks Muscrat & Boco

Have shot a lot of beaver. Rarely had them sink. Rare to get an instant kill. Generally they thrash around. They will eventually sink but have had them float plenty long enough to recover. Have also had them float back up some hours later.

I’ve seen lots sink. Some float for a bit. Had a few that seemed like they would float forever bobbing up and down on the surface. Could be the amount of fat on them. Maybe current helps them sink. Never really thought of it but general rule was to always grab them by the tail ASAP. A stick with a j hook on the end is helpful for that. Shot them with everything from 22 short to 303 British. The 303 makes a bigger splash in my humble opinion and I’ll have words with anyone that says otherwise. Lol. Don’t mind me I’m still up to my ears in muskrats.

Couple years back me and my buddy Andrew shot 61 and recovered 54 in one evening. The ones that’s sunk were gone before we could reach them. If anyone has ever seen a beluga breach the surface, get shot stone dead and just go into a dive that about what the beaver were doing. All shot with 22 magnum head or neck.

Edit. Could be the amount of air in the lungs?

More fat = more buoyancy
More air in the fur = more buoyancy Air gets trapped in the underfur of beavers https://www.cbc.ca/radio/spark/331-...ign-of-better-surfing-wetsuits-1.3805648
more air in the lungs = more buoyancy

Yup exactly.
Holding in a beaver fart= more buoyancy

I have shot a bunch usually with a 22mag it is my go to beaver shooter. When I know Im going to be shooting beaver I always carry a dip net. I have lost a few over the years but very few seems like the more air in the lungs the longer they stay up. A couple things that help, get to them quick and get them in the net, hit them solid in the brain , don't hit them with the skiff on approach that tends to push them down then it turns into a goat rope.
I have had them float back up sometimes in less than an hour I think a lot of that has to do with the amount of food in their bellies. I would support a rule in Ak that required a dip net and the use of rimfire cartridges or shotguns only if shooting beaver big holes lead to quick sinking IMO

[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0ew9sQp9QsY[/video]

This one floated ice cold water = more floatation?

Just in case anyone got hooked by the short and needed more beaver hunting!!

Lost the odd one when shooting in the head with 22 mag.
Never lost a single one once I started shooting their heads off with the high power.They dont move or kick,just float there as still as can be.
Even the odd body shot floats.their guts outside the body act as a life vest.
My favorite beaver gun now is the CZ carbine 7.62x39

Would a 270 with varmint shot work. I use that for cranes in the spring

I dont know,but a 30 06 with 180 gr silver tip works great,however you lose a size line on the pelt if fur hunting.
I only shoot beaver on nuisance contracts for the odd trapshy one and time is money..Still need to retrieve them to get paid.

I have always used a 22 mag and limited myself to head shots. I have lost a few but recovered most of the ones I hit.


An old gal told me to not shoot at beavers until..........."the leaves are as big as a beaver's ear." So once the birch trees started sprouting leaves I figured it was safe to try shooting them

I use a 12ga with buckshot on pond beavers occasionally.They sink sometimes but not too hard to get when the water goes down after dam removal.they are at the bottom of the deepest puddle.

Hi I'd like to buy a 338 ultra mag

Whoh going after moose and bear this fall huh?

No. Beaver actually. Im Hoping to decapitate a few when their fur and lungs are full of air as per trappermans recommendations. Lol.

I'm Carrying a benelli slug gun for the past two days of work. Lots of bear sign and a crew of 5 spread across the hill. So far I've found a few awesome spots to sit and watch them all. We're taking tree Cores.