
Varmint hunting is great for off-season hunts. This also is helpful in keeping nuisance animal populations under control and away from crops and livestock. If you are looking to keep your skills fresh and put your gear to use, this type of hunting will keep you occupied all year long.
In this article, we will discuss what animals are in the varmint category, the gear you need, and what to do after the kill.

If you have a specific topic in mind, use our table of contents to skip directly to the section you need.
Table of Contents
Varmint Hunting Basics
Varmint Hunting Gear
How to Hunt Varmints
Conclusion
Varmint Hunting Basics
Most hunting exists seasonally. When certain types of animals are “in-season” you can get a license and hunt for them. But what about in the off-seasons? This is a great time to take up varmint hunting.
What is Varmint Hunting, and Why Hunt Varmints?
Varmint hunting involves killing nuisance animals that can invade homes, crops, and personal property. Varmints can also have an adverse effect on deer and other animal species in the area.

This means, not only is varmint hunting a fun, recreational activity, it is also helpful to the local ecosystem. Hunting varmints keeps certain populations under control so they don’t cause damage or become an even bigger nuisance.
Predator-type varmints like coyote, wolves, cougars, and bobcats target both livestock and can become problemsome for deer, elk, and huntable bird populations. In some areas, the main diet for wolves is elk calves. Cougars target large bucks post-rut. This can definitely decrease the number of animals available for the following year’s hunting seasons.
Types of Varmints to Hunt in the U.S.
There are two main categories of varmints you can hunt. These range from predators to rodents. Here are some popular types.
Predators
These predators can be hunted in specific states.

Wolves
Wolves can only be legally hunted in four states currently; Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. Some of these states allow year-round hunting and others have designated seasons. In some areas, you can carry wolf tags along on a deer or elk hunt in case the opportunity presents itself while hunting larger game.
Cougars
Whether you call these mountain lions or cougars, there are roughly 14 states that allow you to hunt these animals. These large cats can be aggressive and attack young or vulnerable animals including big game as well as small children and domestic animals in the area. The states with the highest success rates are Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado.
Bobcats
Many states allow you to hunt bobcats, however, success can vary widely. With bobcat populations on the rise and dwindling food sources, these cats have become a great nuisance to farmers and other animal populations.

Wild Hogs
If you don’t watch the news, you may have missed the herds of feral hogs causing problems in the south by attacking livestock and destroying private property. Some people have even been charged by these indiscriminate creatures. An abundance of wild hogs can cause devastation on the ecosystem and forests tend to be 26% less diverse when hogs are present. They can carry many diseases and can introduce pathogens to waterways and crops that are harmful to humans. These animals are generally plentiful and huntable in southern Gulf states like Alabama, Florida, and Texas, among others.
This category also includes foxes and racoons. Many of the licenses in regards to these animals are for furbearers as the animals tend to have little or unsuitable meat and are generally harvested for fur. Coyotes are also a popular predator to hunt, so check out our full article on coyote hunting.

Rodents and Lagomorphs
These are another popular category for hunters. These are annoyances to many hunters and include prairie dogs, squirrels, rabbits, beavers, and woodchucks. Again, for licensing, these are generally under the category of furbearing animals.
There are also some types of birds that you can hunt including crows, pheasants, and quail. No matter what you are hunting, check for restrictions on species and be sure you know what you are shooting at before you take the shot.
How to Hunt Varmints
Since these animals are very different than the normal big game or waterfowl hunting hunters usually undertake, there are some specific considerations and techniques to consider.
Varmint Hunting Rules and Licensing
While the animals you are hunting may be a nuisance, they still shouldn’t face extinction. Therefore, states have rules and regulations surrounding the hunting of these animals.
In many states you can get a trapping license or a hunting license for furbearers or small game. As mentioned above, hunters usually harvest the animals for their fur and not as a food source.
Rules and licensing will vary but many places have limits on how many animals you can catch/kill, times of day, and methods used. Check the local laws for the area you plan to hunt well before heading out.

How to Hunt Varmints
While the animals you are hunting may be a nuisance, they still shouldn’t face extinction. Therefore, states have rules and regulations surrounding the hunting of these animals. Recently some states restricted some varmints due to too many animals being harvested the previous year.
In many states you can get a trapping license or a hunting license for furbearers or small game. As mentioned above, hunters usually harvest the animals for their fur and not as a food source.
Rules and licensing will vary but many places have limits on how many animals you can catch/kill, times of day, and methods used. Check the local laws for the area you plan to hunt well before heading out.
How to Hunt Varmints
When hunting predators, your tactics will need to change. Predators are less likely to come to mating calls and are more responsive to distress calls. If a predator thinks an injured animal is nearby, they will become curious and investigate.
Another consideration is, predators tend to be more active at night. Some states allow night hunting and there are lights that you can use that certain animals cannot see. Know the species you are hunting and the best times and equipment for success.
Other varmint hunting is more about opportunity and quantity, rather than the quality of the kill. You aren’t looking for the most mature of the species, just a bunch of opportunities. Besides, more animals means more fur and many pelts can be sold to make a bit of extra money.

Varmint Hunting Gear
Since these animals are very different than the normal big game or waterfowl hunting hunters usually undertake, there are some specific considerations and techniques to consider.
What You Need
You will need much of the same gear to hunt varmints as your normal game. However, there are a few nuances to take into consideration.
Weapon
In general, you can use the same rifle to hunt varmints as for other game, although your ammo may change. With few laws governing the type of weapon, you just want to ensure an ethical, quick kill. You can even use an air gun for hunting small game like varmints.
A bow is also a good option for hunting varmints. Many places even allow a crossbow. Pair your bow with suitable arrows and broadheads for the size of animal you’re hunting. If you’re hunting squirrels, a 3-inch broadhead will pulverize your target, leaving little of an already small animal to harvest from.

Scope
Since predators tend to be wily and rodents are much smaller and quicker than larger animals, you will likely need a good scope to zero in on your target. A scope should have sufficient eye relief and be adjustable so you can use it for whatever small game heads into view.
Night Lights
If hunting at night, when small game and predators are more active, you should bring a night light of some sort. This will help you locate the blood trail to track down your kill. Using a colored light that predators cannot see will keep from alerting them to your presence.
Dog(s)
Now this isn’t gear exactly, but it is a necessity for hunting these smaller animals. While a blood trail will still lead you to the kill most of the time, having a dog to track an injured animal will make your life easier, especially in the dark.
Conclusion
Varmint hunting is a sure-fire way to keep your hunting skills sharp. The smaller targets, year-round hunting opportunities, and varied strategies will keep you on your toes and thinking. Then, come big game season, you’ll be sharper and your gear will still be in tip-top shape from being used.

In addition, you are helping keep the numbers of nuisance animals under control. This is beneficial both to the surrounding areas and the populations of other species, including deer and elk. By keeping populations healthy, you are ensuring the survival and ability to thrive for livestock and wild animals in the area. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and hunt!

Big Game Logic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Pages on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission