Can you lung shoot a beaver?

My dad's planning on getting rid of some nuisance beavers with a firearm (as they don't want to go near any foot holds or conibears). I've heard that when shot in the head, most beavers will sink and only float up when they're essentially beyond consumption.

However my dad did harvest one 60lb beaver last spring with his .17hmr. The first shot he took seemed to have wounded it but also compromised it's airway in some capacity. This prompted the beaver to go on land where he would eventually expire and he could retrieve him.

We now have a .22wmr rifle that he plans on using instead. We're wondering if there is any way to get a lung shot on a beaver that is in the water? And if so would this prompt the beaver to go towards land because of it's compromised airway?

I dont think he's going to land with any bullet in him, Most of the time they will go for the hut and go under and never seen again. I always do head shots from less than 20 yards soon as he tries to fix the damn.


I've always shot them with 17hmr, 22lr or .22mag. Rip enough of the damn out that water is raging threw it, have a huge muskie net and net them when the water brings them to the damn hole.




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I’ve seen a few head shot. They all have floated, or came to the surface once they expire…..

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

I’ve seen a few head shot. They all have floated, or came to the surface once they expire…..

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Yep. Buddy of mine had them active on a bush lot a few years ago. Head shot then hop in the canoe to retrieve them. Never heard of them sinking.

If they are in the water, always a head shot...just wait till there are close to the damn, if they dive they don't go far. Most just float.
Greater risk trying a body shot of having them end up wounded and swimming away.

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

I’ve seen a few head shot. They all have floated, or came to the surface once they expire…..

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Gotcha. That's what my old man was aiming for with his first beaver but it must've caught his nose or throat. He wasn't keen on shooting any more of them if the chances of retreiving it were low. I guess the air stays in their lungs enough for them to float when they're instantly killed with a head shot?

It's not something I've done or have attempted. Head shots only.

Head shots for sure, most stay at the surface.
Having shot many with a . 22 Win Mag then going with .17 HMR I would not go back to .22.
.17 HMR is the perfect Beaver round and you can stretch distance a bit. IMO. Good luck

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Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

Head shots for sure, most stay at the surface.
Having shot many with a . 22 Win Mag then going with .17 HMR I would not go back to .22.
.17 HMR is the perfect Beaver round and you can stretch distance a bit. IMO. Good luck

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An .06 slows them up pretty quick too …. Lol

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

An .06 slows them up pretty quick too …. Lol

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lol, I agree. :thumbup:

I'm with the last two on this one, the 17 will work great but I'm usually packing my 204 or 6.5 swede. They will flop and swirl but usually end up floating for a bit. Buckshot seems to sink them pretty quick but gives far more room for error.

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I've shot them in the head with a .22. They are tough tho. Couple times they'll go back under for less than a minute and re surface. Take another shot to the head and they'll float back up. They are tough animals. I wouldn't chance on taking a lung shot.

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So I assume this is for protection of property then? They are furbearers and there is no hunting season for them, trapping and protection of property only.

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Originally Posted by Fox

So I assume this is for protection of property then? They are furbearers and there is no hunting season for them, trapping and protection of property only.

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

My dad's planning on getting rid of some nuisance beavers with a firearm (as they don't want to go near any foot holds or conibears). I've heard that when shot in the head, most beavers will sink and only float up when they're essentially beyond consumption.

However my dad did harvest one 60lb beaver last spring with his .17hmr. The first shot he took seemed to have wounded it but also compromised it's airway in some capacity. This prompted the beaver to go on land where he would eventually expire and he could retrieve him.

We now have a .22wmr rifle that he plans on using instead. We're wondering if there is any way to get a lung shot on a beaver that is in the water? And if so would this prompt the beaver to go towards land because of it's compromised airway?

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No need to assume stated in the opening line.

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Originally Posted by alfoldivandor

I thought shooting a Beaver is against the law (trapping only ...)( correct me if I am wrong !)

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You missed the “nuisance” part. They can be shot in protection of property, like causing roads to wash out !

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

You missed the “nuisance” part. They can be shot in protection of property, like causing roads to wash out !

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Yep....and either your own property or the property of a landowner as his agent.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

No need to assume stated in the opening line.

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Yep, totally missed that.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Yep, totally missed that.

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My dad also has his trapping license. He's not tech savvy at all so I tend to ask all the questions on here for him lol. But yes they're nuisance so he does take them out of season as well. They've taken down over a dozen hardwoods and flooded a whole entire forest killing all the trees in it. Not to mention one tree they were chewing on was beside someone's house. It's crazy what damage just a few beavers can do.