Beaver Hunting with a Deer Rifle in the Ruby Mountains in Nevada?

[AntelopeEater]

If you want to make a joke go ahead, but I'm serious.

I drew a deer tag in the Rubies, I went to scout this past weekend, and I saw beaver ponds in Lamoille Canyon in that mountain range, and that got me curious about beaver hunting.

So I asked an AI chatbot about it, and the chatbot was telling me that it would be excellent idea to hunt beaver along with deer, and that beaver taste great and are an underrated delicacy.

Aside from "talking" to the chatbot about it, I did some research online and found out that since I don't want to sell fur, I don't need a trapping license, and the opening day for beaver season is the same as the opening day for my deer tag.

So now I'm tentatively thinking if I see any beaver while hunting deer this time around, I try to harvest one.

Anyone here did something like this before?

Is beaver actually good to eat? My limited understanding is that there are glands near the base of their tail that contain stinky oils so its important not to puncture those.

And do you think I can actually hunt beaver in Lamoille Canyon in early October or might there be too many hikers/campers who might freak out if they saw me carrying a dead beaver, etc.?

 

[antlerradar]

I think you need to read the Nevada regulations before you go to shooting beavers.

 

[rmyoung1]

"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing"
— Stephen Covey

 

[DFS]

This can’t be a real post.

 

[antlerradar]

I think you need to read the Nevada regulations before you go to shooting beavers.

This is all the serious advice you need.

let the jokes begin.

If I was hunting beavers, I would be shooting with my pistol.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I bet its not bad - provided it doesnt smell funny.

I think a post beaver review and a username update (beavereater) are in order.

 

[DFS]

They stink and are tough to skin, never considered eating one.

 

[Oak]

never considered eating one.

Surely Randy has done a video?

 

[Southern Elk]

 

[DFS]

Surely Randy has done a video?

Does meateater have a hunting forum? Fairly certain they ate some of my friends neighbors beavers.

 

[mevertsen]

Legal yes.

But..

WHY?

 

[hunter49]

Have eaten a few during late ice while trapping. Pretty decent. But I would not be going out of my way during a deer hunt to target one. Most ADC guys I know we're picking them off at night with a rifle.

 

[WildWill]

I do some beaver nuisance control on a few places in exchange for hunting/fishing access. Yes they're good to eat but can be tough just treat it like beef and use a slow or pressure cooker. The castor gland at the base of the tail does have a strong odor but as long as you remove it correctly it stays pretty self contained and shouldn't get on the meat or even blade (tons of vids online on how to). The castor is actually worth about as much as the fur these days. As far as using a rifle I would just say be very cautious and careful. Don't shoot at a beaver on or backdropped by water bullets can do funny things on the water and it's just not safe. I usually trap them but occasionally have had to use other means (farmer worried about his dogs and traps). A 12 gauge with #4-#1 buckshot has served well in those situations.

 

[IDiot]

I've eaten some as well. I prefer venison but beaver isn't bad if you trim all the fat, it may have an aroma of castor/aquatic mammal but not that flavor like a muskrat can have.

As an aside you are hunting deer, focus on that. Additionally, Nevada is the driest state and those beaver ponds could be the reason there is any wildlife in that area. More beavers on public land, storing water, not causing damage for people is a good thing in the arid west.

 

[mevertsen]

I've eaten some as well. I prefer venison but beaver isn't bad if you trim all the fat, it may have an aroma of castor/aquatic mammal but not that flavor like a muskrat can have.

As an aside you are hunting deer, focus on that. Additionally, Nevada is the driest state and those beaver ponds could be the reason there is any wildlife in that area. More beavers on public land, storing water, not causing damage for people is a good thing in the arid west.

I was also thinking this.

thats one of the few areas with beaver in that mountain range.

Also a side note, if you're betting your season there, be prepared to see more people than deer. It is ridiculously popular now, and I thought it was popular 20 years ago. I could hunt it then. I went there last October to have a lunch, and was sickening how much trash amd general disrespect people have for one of the gems of Nevada,

Good luck im your hunt.

 

[kansasdad]

As a note, I add that the only legal take of beaver in season in Kansas is by trapping.

I do recall Rinella talking a lot about trappers eating beaver's tail for its fat content.

 

[sigpros]

The back quarters in a crockpot arent too bad about like a roast. But ya I only eat a few every year that come out of a trap.

 

[Birddog916]

I would be careful about shooting them in deep water as they do sink rather quickly...