Varmint and Predator Hunting: Doing the Dirty Work for Deer, Turkeys and Waterfowl
March 24, 2026Posted by derrek.sigler
If you spend any real time chasing spring gobblers or working ducks in the fall, you’ve probably noticed something - there are plenty of predators out there, and they’re not doing ground-nesting birds any favors. The truth is that varmint and predator control hunting isn’t just another offseason activity. It’s one of the most important things we can do to help turkeys and waterfowl actually make it from egg to adulthood.
Raccoons: Wanted dead, or... nah, just dead
Raccoons are public enemy number one in a lot of places, and for good reason. They’re smart, adaptable, and absolute pros at finding nests. Give a raccoon a hedgerow and a little time, and it’ll clean out every egg it can find. Skunks and opossums aren’t far behind, and while foxes and coyotes get more attention, they’re just as guilty when it comes to wiping out nests and even grabbing hens when the opportunity presents itself.
Here’s the deal - modern landscapes have tipped the odds in favor of predators. Less trapping, more edge habitat, and easy food sources around farms and neighborhoods mean predator numbers are higher than they used to be. That puts serious pressure on turkeys, ducks, and geese, especially during the nesting season. If you care about seeing more poults and ducklings, predator control needs to be part of the equation.
The good news? It’s a hunt that’s as fun as it is important.
Think like a predator
Start by thinking like a predator. Look for travel routes - creek bottoms, fence lines, field edges, and thick cover near water. If it’s an easy path with food nearby, something is using it. Tracks and scat will tell you a lot if you slow down and pay attention.
Night hunting, where it’s legal, is hands-down one of the most effective ways to target raccoons and other nocturnal troublemakers. Add in a thermal or a good light setup, and suddenly the odds swing back in your favor. For coyotes and foxes, calling is hard to beat. A distressed rabbit or bird's sound can flip a switch in a hurry, and when it works, it works fast.
Raccoons? They’re suckers for an easy meal. Baiting - again, where legal - can stack the deck and give you consistent action. And night-hunting action can be fast and furious.
Gearing up for predators and varmints
Tricer's Mike Herne is a big fan of the BANISH Speed K Ti for predator hunting. Photo by Mike Herne
On the rimfire side, .17 HMR and .22LR both do quite well for most of the smaller game. Raccoons, skunks, and anything in that size range can fall pretty quickly to a well-placed rimfire round. Plus, when you suppress a rimfire, the sound output drops way down. It is easier on your ears, plus if helps to not spook the little buggers if you miss, or have multiple shot opportunities.
My personal choice for predators and varmints is a .223 REM AR-15 with a suppressor and a thermal scope. A couple of factors went into figuring out my rig. I used a stainless bull barrel and a Timney AR-15 3lb. Competition trigger. I run Timney Triggers in most of my ARs for consistency. For the suppressor, I have been very happy using a BANISH Speed K Ti. It is perfect for varmint hunts because it is short, so getting in and out of the UTV quickly is easier.
I am currently working on a new rifle, this time a bolt-action Bergara in 22 Creedmoor. It’s on order at the time of this writing, but I hope to have it soon. I just bought a BANISH VRMT 223 Ti suppressor, which is rated for the 22 Creedmoor, as well as .223 REM, 22 ARC, and any other similar caliber cartridge.
I like to have a shotgun handy, too. You never know when you're going to have a close encounter and nothing is better for a close-action hunt than a shotgun. Adding a suppressor makes it even more enjoyable.
Do your part
But here’s the part that matters most - this isn’t just about stacking up fur. Every raccoon, skunk, or coyote you take out of the equation is one less predator hammering nests. That directly translates into more turkeys on the roost and more ducks in the marsh down the road.
It’s not glamorous work, and it doesn’t always come with a grip-and-grin photo. But it’s necessary. Predator control is one of those behind-the-scenes efforts that separates good habitat from great habitat. I’m not alone in thinking this. Delta Waterfowl has a whole program dedicated to this exact thing, along with trapping and other measures. If you’re even a little dedicated to conservation, it is important to consider doing anything you can to help control the predators of the animals we hunt.
"Delta's proven Predator Management Program is a targeted approach to increase nest success, adding hundreds of thousands of ducks to every fall flight. Nest success, defined as a nest with at least one hatched duckling, is often less than 5 to 10% in many key breeding areas of the PPR. A hatch of 15 to 20% is required just to maintain current populations."
On my farm, I can be on a deer hunt, or hunting geese. If I see a coyote, the whole operation turns into a coyote hunt. Same for raccoons and skunks. I may be alone in thinking this way, but I tend to leave the foxes alone. They eat more mice than anything else, and I appreciate that.
At the end of the day, if you care about the future of deer, turkey and waterfowl hunting, this is part of the job. Plain and simple.
Shooting suppressed is best!
Adding a suppressor to your varmint and predator hunting rifle can make a huge improvement in your shooting experience. No one makes it as simple as Silencer Central. Ready to experience the best way to buy a suppressor?
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
