Armadillo hunting?

[Harley Quinn]

I tried to get one from a pet store in CA years ago.
They told me it was against the law to have one in this state.
I have always like the little roller balls

 

[Grayrock]

Number One with his catch (after I imported it during dove season)

 

[Art Eatman]

They go totally nutzoidal over earthworms...

 

[sixgunner455]

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To prove to the Armadillo that it could be done.




Edit: Dang, somebody else already told this joke.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Grayrock,
Great picture, you are causing me to want to get one and break the law I have no pets now.

If I get one early (young) will he learn to do tricks Roll up in a ball is one I can start with

 

[CliffH]

On a more serious note, and closer to the OP;

I've got a 'dillo not only digging up the yard but also burrowing into the low side of the 1/4 acre stock tank.

I'm not going to try to run him down and beat him with a stick. Been sitting out with a .22LR with hollow points, but it almost sounds as if I'll need something with a bit more punch.

Don't really want to use a higher powered rifle due to relatively close neighbors. So I'm thinking maybe a 16 or 12ga with at least #4 shot??

And it sounds like early morning is better for finding them than late evening??

Other research seems to indicate that a live trap isn't very effective. Since they have multiple burrows, even setting the trap (with wings) at the entrance to the one burrow hasn't worked. Still have the trap set out....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've killed a lot of armadillos with a .22 hollowpoint fired from a pistol. Sometimes I hike with my M1927 Argentine with the Colt Service Ace .22 Conversion kit mounted, and draw down on them when I hear them running through the leaves.

 

[dogrunner]

Just about as challenging as shootin' a barnyard chicken...........yeah, they're edible, but frankly I'd rather eat a rabbit.

 

[bigun454]

All I know is they tear up my garden and as to the question of which bullet to use I have had great luck with 22shorts,and longs but the shorts don't wake the neighborhood.

 

[Grayrock]

Armadillos are so nearsighted they have bumped into my feet while I was standing out in the field. .22 LR is plenty- just choose your shot (but don't shoot off your toe!!) Hit him in the ear when he is 10 feet from your cooler or chaise lounge

 

[blkbrd666]

I usually see them late at night...midnight or later when working in the garage. They will wander right up the driveway and into the garage. The only time I have ever tried shooting one was one year when they were tearing up the front lawn. I cornered one and shot him just behind the left shoulder from about 2 feet away. (If you have your mouth full, swallow now!) I shot him with a 9mm Beretta at a bit of an angle, as I was standing over him. The bullet sent him flying/rolling six feet away and into a chainlink fence...the bullet had glanced off him and blew a hole in the lawn bigger than the ones he had been digging. The army just got up and ran off...not a drop of blood. I guess it was nature's way of telling me I really didn't need to shoot him. He never came back though. If I have problems with them again, maybe I'll just grab a belt and whip them...would probably be just as effective.

One thing though, they aren't really "slow". They may not be able to run far, but I chased one about 50 yards once and I wasn't able to get in front of him. A big one will clear at least 8 feet in a single bound and they sound like a granite rock hitting the ground on each landing. Surprised me!!!

 

[JShirley]

I hit one with a reduced recoil slug at close to 25 meters. The slug did not penetrate through! It left the gawdawful-est impact wound you could imagine, though, about the size of half an orange around. I finished him off with Tamara's .45 Colt rifle.

John

 

[Jason_G]

In the 8 years I've been in Flordia I've seen thousands of armadillos. All of them dead. I've yet to see a live one.

I'm pretty much convinced their born dead on the side of the road.

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: To prove to the armadillo that it could be done. [DRUMS]ba-dum-dum[/DRUMS]

Seriously though, there ain't too much that I won't eat, but I draw the line at scavengers and/or disease reservoirs. Especially if that disease can rot your face off. I'm honestly not sure how leprosy is spread, but I'll pass on the 'dilla for now.

Jason

ETA:

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To prove to the Armadillo that it could be done.




Edit: Dang, somebody else already told this joke.

Oh well, that makes two of us, LOL. I should probably read all of the posts instead of the last few...

 

[3pairs12]

at the deer lease this year we were catching them with fishing nets.

 

[Jason_G]

A big one will clear at least 8 feet in a single bound and they sound like a granite rock hitting the ground on each landing. Surprised me!!!

They will jump straight up when spooked sometimes. Me and an armadillo had a mutual almost-crap-your-pants moment one evening as I was walking from my deer stand. I must've walked right up on him, and he jumped straight up in front of me. I don't know who was more startled, me or him. He took off when he hit the ground, and left me catching my breath from being spooked.

Jason

 

[alsaqr]

BTW: Armadillos are the only creature besides humans to carry leprosy.

Link: http://www.dilloscape.com/leprosy.html

Do armadillos have leprosy?
Armadillos CAN have leprosy, but that does not mean that they all do.
In Texas, about 4% to 10% of armadillos seem to have it.
In Louisiana, up to 53% have been found to be infected.
In Florida, 3 thousand armadillos were examined over 12 years. None were found to be infected, but the method of examination used was not very accurate.


Why are they susceptible leprosy?
Humans and armadillos are the only animals known to be susceptible to leprosy. This is because the disease needs a cool body temperature to develop.
Leprosy attacks the cooler parts of the body such as the nose and ears. Armadillo body temperatures range between 82.4 and 91.4 degrees F, compared to 98.6 degrees F for Humans. Because of this, leprosy in armadillos is more severe than in Humans.


How many people have gotten leprosy from armadillos?
Not very many. In the USA, leprosy is rare in Humans. People who have gotten it from armadillos are suspected to have eaten under-cooked armadillo meat, or handled armadillos frequently.


Are armadillos dangerous?
If they are treated with respect, no. If dillos in your area are infected, it's a good idea to avoid touching them. If one shows signs of infection, definatly avoid contact. Also, armadillos do not bite, but they may claw if handled wrong.

 

[grimjaw]

I wasn't there to witness the act, but I did see the carcass of one all over the side of a trailer. It had been shot with a .22-.24 caliber centerfire (can't remember exact type, it's a wildcat cartridge used by a friend). The armor might do well against predators but level IIIA body armor it ain't. I figure most centerfire rifles will do the trick on a body hit, and rimfire would probably do for headshots.

I don't have much interest in shooting them, though. They can be interesting to watch as they trundle about.

jm

 

[Okiecruffler]

Man, I've seen threads go off on tangents, but how did we get from 'dilloes to where in Africa do the best sprinters and long distance runners come from to the free market?

FWIW, if dilloes are tearing up your turf, I'd bet dollars to donuts the grubs are doing more damage underneath than the dilloes will ever do up top. And still, I have yet to see a "Which caliber for grubs?" thread. (I'm almost afraid to do a search on that one).

I used to sneak up on them and throw a laundry basket over them and I'm an old fat guy. If you really want to take them out I suspect a pointy stick would do just fine.

 

[John828]

I've seen them at all hours but early morning is good and late afternoon into the evening is better.

If you're going to eat them, soak the meat in buttermilk for a day, then cook it--that'll make the meat more tender. I prefer barbq because the smoke and sauce covers for you if you get a bad piece of meat or two.

 

[Owens]

Want an exercise in futility? TRY to pull one out of a hole. Man...can they anchor in.

Oh the things we try when we are young!

As to the OP, I have heard of folks eating them, never tried it. A few have said it makes a pretty fair chili.

Any .22 will work fine.

 

[Guillermo]

If you have dillos rooting in your yard it is proof positive that you have grubs. Go to your nearest organic gardener and get some “beneficial nematodes” and spray them on your yard. Works like a charm.

Grubs will be gone, so will the armadillo.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I hit one with a reduced recoil slug at close to 25 meters. The slug did not penetrate through! It left the gawdawful-est impact wound you could imagine, though, about the size of half an orange around. I finished him off with Tamara's .45 Colt rifle.

John

There's a reason they are sometimes refered to as "uparmored possom's", or "Rhino rats".

 

[Double Naught Spy]

BTW: Armadillos are the only creature besides humans to carry leprosy.

BTW, see post #15. Armadillos are not the only creature besides humans to carry leprosy.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

What damage do these awful grubs (that dillos eat) DO? And to what or whom is the damage done?

 

[bowl443]

If you decide to take one out with a smaller caliber, try not to get too close.

They "bounce" and "jump" around quite violently.

Several years ago pops took one out with the 22 and it hit him in the hip with a big bounce. It was a good laugh, but the old man didn't enjoy washing the blood off.