Destructive Armadillo in My Yard

[Billm]

Mouse at 30yds with Sonoran .30 and DNT Thermnight TNC 225R. Not bad for a 2” target in the dark.

 

[Billm]

I saw another one at 59 yds. I got a nice head shot on a one inch target. I I took a second shot just to make sure. Interestingly the built-in bc calculator got this one right p, but not the shot at 30 yds. I do like using the thermal to find them and the night vision to id and shoot.

 

[JimT66]

Mouse at 30yds with Sonoran .30 and DNT Thermnight TNC 225R. Not bad for a 2” target in the dark.

Excellent shooting Bill! Methinks the Dillo won't stand a chance when you spot him

 

[Billm]

Excellent shooting Bill! Methinks the Dillo won't stand a chance when you spot him

Thanks. I think I’m going to have to buy a new trail cam and try to get an idea when the Dillo is coming out. He keeps coming back, but I’ve only seen him once and I didn’t have the the NV mounted.

 

[JimT66]

Thanks. I think I’m going to have to buy a new trail cam and try to get an idea when the Dillo is coming out. He keeps coming back, but I’ve only seen him once and I didn’t have the the NV mounted.

Getcha one that will buzz your phone. Those things dont keep any kind of schedule like deer will. Hunting dillos takes more than a man's fair share of luck, unless your driving at night. Then they a gimme

 

[LarryRP]

My wife and I started seeing holes all over my backyard over the last two or three weeks. I put out a trailcam and didn’t see anything. It’s annoying because I’ve spent the last two years trying to to cultivate a one acre centipede lawn from seed - no easy task. I don’t have my DNT TNC225R mounted on a rifle right now. I took the scope out on the back porch tonight at midnight and handheld it. I usually see a couple of rabbits, but the wife has put those off limits. But, tonight I fired it up in thermal mode and out at 100yd +/- there was nice bright blob. I flipped it to night vision and increased the IR illumination. There it was, a big fat armadillo tearing up my yard. I believe it’s legal in Florida to shoot a nuisance armadillo, I will check to be sure. I’d like to shoot it from my back porch if possible. I get regular visits from a mama bear and her cubs in my backyard and I don’t want a run in with her lol. My question for you more experienced pesters - is my .30 Sonoran 85fpe lethal enough for an Armadillo at 60-100 yds. I’d probably use 50gr pellets or slugs shooting from a rest or tripod. I’m very capable of 1-2” groups at a 100yds with the rifle. The other option is my .25 Ghost HP. I have powder burners but that’s not really an option lol.

We have plenty armadillos here in Louisiana. Any pellet .22 and up above 700 fps will pass through. Brain is about the size of a nickel. heart lung will dispatch quickly. Grilled they taste like pork. Absolutely the most unappealing critter I have ever skinned.

 

[Danman]

Ok I am thoroughly disturbed, I stop after rabbit/squirrel on the table. Looks like your addicted already @Billm ...soon you'll be hoping more armadillos show up

 

[Billm]

Ok I am thoroughly disturbed, I stop after rabbit/squirrel on the table. Looks like your addicted already @Billm ...soon you'll be hoping more armadillos show up

The thought of eating squirrel or armadillo turns my stomach lol. There appears to be a an armadillo population explosion here. We went to the store the other day and there were 3 of them dead on the road in 200’ stretch. The last couple of years we haven’t seen any, usually you see dozens. I don’t want to deal with a dead one in my yard lol.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Billm I am very confident that you can smash him from 60 yards. I really don’t know much about shooting them from long range because I make it a point to get close to them. They can’t see well, but they have good noses. I understand why you’re not so mobile. The Sonoran should do the trick. You should be able to get it done with a 45 grain pellet. No need for heavier pellets in .30 cal. Just don’t use Hybrid slugs. I’ve killed them with .22 and ,25 caliber air guns. I aim for the body. Their narrow heads are more difficult to hit at a distance. It’s not like they sit in your yard standing still either. Good luck to you, just be sure you meet your state’s legal requirement for airguns.

@Billm I came across this thread where an AGN member used .30 FX Hybrid slugs on an armadillo. I thought it might interest you.

Armadillo vs fx hybrid

Sidewinder s 30cal with fx hybrid. They are a tough critter, the slug was pretty much destroyed.

www.airgunnation.com

 

[Billm]

@Billm I came across this thread where an AGN member used .30 FX Hybrid slugs on an armadillo. I thought it might interest you.

Armadillo vs fx hybrid

Sidewinder s 30cal with fx hybrid. They are a tough critter, the slug was pretty much destroyed.

www.airgunnation.com

Thanks, I just read it. Good info. I haven’t bought any hybrids to try. I never intended to do much pesting in my backyard. I’m thinking of just going back to AEA 50 gr pellets, I’m a little bit worried about where the slugs are ending up.

 

[Dogowski]

We have plenty armadillos here in Louisiana. Any pellet .22 and up above 700 fps will pass through. Brain is about the size of a nickel. heart lung will dispatch quickly. Grilled they taste like pork. Absolutely the most unappealing critter I have ever skinned.

And with that, welcome to the forum!

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Billm Any armadillo sightings recently? Is there any new damage to your yard?

 

[Billm]

@Billm Any armadillo sightings recently? Is there any new damage to your yard?

No, I don’t think so. The only thing I’m seeing now are frogs lol and the two rabbits that are protected by the wife.

 

[Billm]

Now, I have a different one in my front yard and this one is way more destructive. He’s been at least 5 or 6 times. He literally leaves 100 plus holes each time and keeps digging a big hole down the side of my house at the irrigation line. I set my trail cam out and it didn’t pick him up. Then the third time a brand new set of Duracells exploded in the camera lol. This is a tough one, because I haven’t seen him. I have a county road in front and I’m not comfortable sitting out there in the pitch dark with a rifle. Not to mention that it’s woods on the other side of the road with a momma bear and cubs living within two hundred yards and she likes to bring them into my yard. I’m gonna get another trail cam like Fl22 recommended. I’m thinking of moving the DNT TNC225R to the TalonP. I already tried putting down insecticide and that didn’t work. I’m worried that he’s going to break a water pipe and flood my neighbors. The Ghost is the quiet one, but kind of obvious.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Billm I was looking at this thread earlier intent upon asking for an update. Digging a burrow next to your home is really bad business. Nail the bastards however you can. You don't want them to damage the foundation.

 

[FL22]

@Billm that looks bad, it has to go.

You might also need to utilize a double door trap placed against your house where it’s digging, use meal worms or over ripe fruit as bait.

 

[Billm]

@Billm I was looking at this thread earlier intent upon asking for an update. Digging a burrow next to your home is really bad business. Nail the bastards however you can. You don't want them to damage the foundation.

is he trying to burrow or looking for food.

 

[Billm]

@Billm that looks bad, it has to go.

You might also need to utilize a double door trap placed against your house where it’s digging, use meal worms or over ripe fruit as bait.

Florida doesn’t allow you to trap them unless you have permission to release them on private land at least 20 miles away. I guess I might have to sit on the front doorstep with the ghost

 

[Danman]

Yeah i live trapped and shot the coon that ate all my sweet cherries this year. Waited up for half hour two nights with the (the PERFECT night pesting airgun!), prowled the yard, left my sensor lights on, didn't deter him one bit, first night i even got a shot off but I was too slow. Wrecked a ton of branches in the process so I get less cherries next year, too.

 

[Dogowski]

Now, I have a different one in my front yard and this one is way more destructive. He’s been at least 5 or 6 times. He literally leaves 100 plus holes each time and keeps digging a big hole down the side of my house at the irrigation line. I set my trail cam out and it didn’t pick him up. Then the third time a brand new set of Duracells exploded in the camera lol. This is a tough one, because I haven’t seen him. I have a county road in front and I’m not comfortable sitting out there in the pitch dark with a rifle. Not to mention that it’s woods on the other side of the road with a momma bear and cubs living within two hundred yards and she likes to bring them into my yard. I’m gonna get another trail cam like Fl22 recommended. I’m thinking of moving the DNT TNC225R to the TalonP. I already tried putting down insecticide and that didn’t work. I’m worried that he’s going to break a water pipe and flood my neighbors. The Ghost is the quiet one, but kind of obvious.

Dang Billm, i thought i had it bad with groundhogs. Your house will be completely ruined if you don't take it out quick. Time for the DNT on the Talon P!