I may be moving from groundhog territory to western South Carolina where I'm told there are a fair number of armadillos. Anybody target them and can tell me what type of terrain in which you hunt them? Would love to see some pics too.
Any armadillo hunters?
- Thread starter wahoowad
- Start date
Yes. I hunt them (more like pest them). Mainly in yards where there are large lawns. I’m sitting outside now waiting to hear some movement. After doing some leaf raking earlier I see where they’ve been busy in my yard. To warm and hind for thermal tonight. Temps have been pretty consistent all day and night so most things are relatively the same temp right now. Got a flashlight setup on a PCP waiting to hear some movement. I’ve killed one in the woods on a fluke before. They just came running through like carefree lovers and when they ran past me I lit one up.
There’s a photo of one in this link https://www.airgunnation.com/thread...ock-bantam-sniper-hr-25.1289742/#post-1491397
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Like EZ, more "pesting," than hunting, armadillos. Nighttime hole digger in Florida lawn looking for grubs, poor eyesight, but tough. Hit one with 12-gauge, big chunk missing, still made it back to woods. Almost gave neighbor cardiac so Snowpeak M60B .35, with 81 grain FX pellets, gets the nod. Been awhile but did notice telltale holes at edge of woods/lawn, so one's around. When holes appear in main part of lawn, I'll start periodic checks, using high wattage bulbs in rear porch fixtures. WM
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I just stalked one through three properties (each property owner allows me to hunt and pest on their properties) and got a shot off. The shot I wanted didn’t happen because the safety was still on. It came back and I stood braced again a post. Had a tough time trying to spotlight him because the thermal scanner made him show up crystal clear in tall grass. When I shot him the bastard jumped and ran into the woods. Once it got into the trees I watched him move a lot slower. He should be dead by the morning. I had to watch it for a while because I thought it might be a cat until it “looked” my direction and I saw those ears close together on top of that narrow head. Then when I put the spotlight on him and let him clear the tall grass I saw exactly what it was. I caught him digging and eating in the yard between two neighboring properties.
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I've thought about it. They do a fair amount of damage to our lawn. But in the end I like that they eat the centipedes, fire ants, and grass killing grubs!
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@Michael You should see some of the damage I've documented in photographs. Armadillos are hell on foundations, concrete slabs beneath central A/C units, and generally around supporting structures of a residence. They like to dig right next to them. They also present a serious problem on land where there is livestock. Their burros and safety holes can put a big animal down permenately unless you have insurance for your animals or some serious vet money. I think I have some photos of the damaged foundation to a barn where show pigs were once house where dillos burrowed beneath it so extensively that it cracked the floor of the enclosure area where some pigs were housed. I think the thread is entitled "My First Permission." It was a couple of years ago I think. Putting holes in lawns is just the beginning. If you see holes in you lawn frequently, I suggest searching the proper for burrows. I've found them in all sorts of places. There can be multiple entrances/exits and what I believe to be a pretty elaborate tunnel system if they are left undisturbed. Look for burrows entrances in hedges, next to concrete slabs, light posts, decking posts, stair posts, brick work, beneath boards/sheet metal, beneath out of commission vehicles, trailers, etc.
Edit: @Michael It took me a while to find the thread. It's here, see post #38 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/my-first-pesting-opportunity-advice-needed.950411/page-2
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I believe it. No criticism here. I just haven't felt the need to exterminate them around here.
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They are well under control. Roadkill sees to that. In Texas you can kill fifty of them in one night with a 1966 Oldsmobile without trying. Some of them are so big it almost takes the bumper off the Olds. The only thing you need is a case of Lone Star beer.
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They are not as tough as their reputation would make you think. I've killed them with boiler room shots from a .22 caliber Hatsan mod 125. Around here they are sure to turn up after a rainfall and usually about 2:00 a.m. My neighbors have actually asked me to do something about them because they do so much turf damage. My current Dilla buster is a .25 caliber PCP with a tactical light running at approximately 32 FPE. Get anything but a spine shot and watch the Dilla death dance!
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Really fun reading that old thread and tagging along on your journey. Amazing what three short years of evolution look like.
Huge props and respect!
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