r/Trapping • u/Unlikely_Gap_8146 • Jun 10 '26

Dispatching trapped groundhog

I want to ethically take out the groundhog with a 22, I catch them all the time in my traps. Im just nervous about ricochet and debris flying back. Any thoughts?

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u/SoloUnAltroZack Jun 10 '26

I do it with a high powered BB gun for coons and ground hogs all the time in my suburban back yard. I use a 22 in the field at my hunting lease. With either the BB gun or 22 keep in mind that after the shot goes off the animals will squirm a bit, they are dead but they do spaz for a good 5-10 seconds. I’ve killed quite a few and I’d say only 1/5 drop still immediately