In rural areas that have badgers, they are legendary for their ferociousness and drive. Hunters know that your bird dog may see their last day if they mess with a badger. The move this kid made of catching on by hand is just stupid. Did you see the badger trying to snap is head around and get his teeth on him? How close do you think the teeth were? Maybe an inch or two? Had he connected, it would have been a very bad story for the kid. One of the characteristics of the weasel family, it when they get their teeth in prey, they don't let go. The instinct is also to go for the throat, because it works. Badgers win virtually every fight they get into.
We never messed with them.