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Introduction

Along with many other species of mammals in North America, badgers are hunted over most of their range. On this page I will explain the methods used.

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Shooting

Some hunters take badgers by shooting. High Desert Predator Hunting, for example, arranges hunting trips in California, Arizona and Nevada, on which mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, grey fox, badgers and raccoons may be shot [w065]. However, the most popular method of hunting badgers is . . .

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Trapping

Detailed instructions on the recommended trapping methods are given by the North Dakota Furtakers Educational Manual, which is available online. In brief, up to 3 spring traps (leg-hold traps), each baited with meat (tainted but not bad) or a freshly killed ground squirrel or rabbit, are set at the entrance to a badger's den and carefully concealed. Lures - fish oil or badger gland lure - may also be used to attract the badger to the place where the traps are set. The traps have to be staked in such a way that when a badger is trapped, it cannot get into its den; if this is not done it is apparently very difficult to remove the animal from its burrow. The guidelines state that "A trapped badger is quite a fighter and the trap must be staked solidly". The North Dakota Furtakers' guidance concludes by advising that a badger in a trap is best killed by shooting it in the head with a .22 [w062-01].

Some trappers use conibear traps for badgers rather than leghold traps. According to the Furage web site, "Their initial appeal was that they would kill the animal before it had a chance to escape, particularly very compact powerful animals, like badger and wolverine, which were known to commonly struggle out of a trap" [w064].

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Picture credits

The American badger photo used at the head of this Article is a public domain image provided by the US Fish & Wildlife Service; photographer Gary Stolz. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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