Varmint hunting

Varmint huntingorvarmintingis the practice ofhuntingvermin— generally small/medium-sized wildmammalsorbirds— as a means ofpest control,rather than asgamesforfoodortrophy.The targeted animals areculledbecause they are considered economically harmfulpeststoagriculturalcrops,livestocksor properties;pathogen-carryinghosts/vectorsthattransmitcross-species/zoonotic diseases;or forpopulation controlas a mean ofprotectingothervulnerable speciesandecosystems.

The term "varminter" may refer to avarmint hunter,or describe the hunting equipments (such as avarmint rifle) either specifically designed or coincidentally suitable for the practice of varmint hunting. Varmint hunters may hunt toexterminate a nuisance animalfrom their own property, to collect abountyoffered by another landowner or the government, or simply as ahobby.

Targets of varmint hunting

A contemporary wood engraving of varmint hunters shooting passenger pigeons, at the time a bird known to damage crops.

The termvarmintis aUScolloquial term forvermin,though it refers more specifically tomammalianoravianpests, including:

• Predatorswhich can kill/maimdomestic animals:badger,coyote,foxes,mink,raccoons,snakes,snapping turtles,weasel,andwolverine.
• Rodentsandlagomorphsthat can damagecroplandsorpastures:beaver,gophers,groundhogs,muskrat,coypu (also known as nutria),prairie dogs,porcupine,andrabbits.
• Urban wildlifethat can cause damage to buildings and properties, create mess/fecalpollutions, orcarry disease:feral pigeons,rats,andsquirrels.
• Birds perceived asdamaging to crops:crows and ravens,sparrows,as well aspassenger pigeonsandCarolina parakeets,one of which was driven toextinctionin part by pressure fromindiscriminate hunting.
• Invasive species,such asstarlingsandwild boar/hogs,that arepreying onordisplacingdesirablenative species.

Equipment

Blowgun

Shorterblowgunsand smaller boredartswere used for varmint hunting bypre-adolescentboys in traditionalNorth American Cherokeesvillages. They used the blowguns to cut down on smaller raiding rodents such as rats, mice, chipmunks and other mammals that cut or gnaw into food caches, seed and vegetable stores, or that are attracted to the planted vegetables. While this custom gave the boys something to do around the village and kept them out of mischief, it also worked as an early form of pest control. Some food and skins were also obtained by the boys, who hunted squirrels with blowguns well into the 20th century.

Airgun

Air riflesare commonly used in built-up environments, where the targets might not be particularly far away but are high up ontrees/structuresor in obscure corners, and the risk ofoverpenetration,ricochetsandstray shotsneed to be minimized. Airguns are more powerful and accurate than blowguns, but much quieter and with lessterminal damagethanfirearms,and thus more suitable inurbanandsuburbanenvironments wherenoise complaintandballistic safetycan be an issue.

Firearms

Main article:Varmint rifle

Since varmint hunting is a form ofpest control,and minimally regulated by law, the definition of what constitutes a varmint firearm tends to vary by regional pests. The definitive varmints are ground burrowing animals such asgroundhogsandprairie dogs.These animals are small, alert and difficult to approach closely, and hunting them requires a long-range, highly accurate rifle. Because of this, models labelled "Varminter" will generally fit the following characteristics:

• high-velocitycaliber,for a flat trajectory (seeexternal ballistics)
• lightweightprojectile,designed for minimumoverpenetration(seeterminal ballistics)
• extremeaccuracy,for the ability to hit small targets at long range (seeaccurizing)
• heavierbarrel,for more consistentinternal ballisticsso the gun can be fired more frequently without itsprecisionbeing detrimented by heat build-up

To reduce noise, flash, andhearing damage,silencersare sometimes employed on varmint rifles.

Examples

Ruger No. 1 Varmint rifle in.223 Remington with heavy barrel, bipod rest, large telescopic sight, and "dope" sheet on the stock for windage

• Bushmaster AR-15based Varminter model; includes extended heavy barrel, adjustable trigger, and noiron sights(being designed for dedicated use withtelescopic sights).
• Remington 700SPS: Has a 26 "heavy contour barrel with standard features that include a hinged floorplate magazine, sling swivel studs, and a drilled and tapped receiver.
• Ruger No. 1Varminter single-shot rifle; equipped with scope base and rings for telescopic sight, available in high velocity calibers with extended heavy barrels. While the trigger is factory set and locked, the trigger does include sear engagement and overtravel adjustment screws, which can be adjusted by agunsmith.
• Savage Model 12 Varminter;includes adjustable trigger, and free floated extended heavy barrel, no iron sights, and abenchreststyle stock.
• Sierra Varminterline of bullets; light weight,hollow pointandsoft point bulletsdesigned for high velocities, minimal penetration, and maximum expansion needed for varmints.
• Henry Repeating ArmsVarmint Express.17 HMR: Features a high-comb Monte Carlo style buttstock optimized for use with a scope, fiber optic sights, and an 11-round capacity.Henry Repeating Arms produces over a dozen different lever action rifles chambered for.22 WMR and.17 HMR, both of which are ideal cartridges for varminting.

Impacts on varmint populations

Hunting of varmint has typically been to reducecroploss and to stop predation oflivestock.This hunting has imposed anartificial selectionpressure on the organisms being hunted.The selection pressure on varmints is probably for younger reproduction ages and earlier maturity. Varmint hunting is also potentially selecting for behavioral changes that are desired, animals avoiding human populated areas, crops, and livestock.

See also

• Nuisance wildlife management
• Pest control
• Rat-catcher
• Vermin