rachels.haven's Journal

[Bruce]

I'm not super happy about the no gun road block, but I married him.

I know that one, and actually likely begot the bigger problem ... DD1. The emotional vegetarian who thinks that animals have to live their lives too. Yeah well, I don't think domestic chickens in a fenced area is the natural food of coons and foxes. I scared up bunches of voles when I was out mowing.

But to keep peace I don't have a gunpowder gun. And they don't know about the pellet rifle in the barn. At least I've not had your problem of a "too friendly" coyote. I suspect if I did I'd be saying "tough noogies, I'm not getting attacked by a coyote for your belief system".

Good luck. BTW, don't know about there but WallyWorld doesn't carry anything but pellet and BB guns here. I'd go to a gun/hunting store where they know their inventory and can tell you what the best option is for you and your specific situation and quarry. They might also know where you can get training if they don't have that themselves.

 

[rachels.haven]

Thank you. I hope you never have to deal with a coyote issue like this either.

Believe it or not, Walmart in Iowa, Tennessee, and Arkansas always had real guns locked up for purchase when I was a kid and last time I went down south (not sure about Iowa, haven't been there in 7 years). Some politician here is trying to lobby for some office somewhere on the platform on getting rid of the guns in walmart, but I think they're already gone, which would be typical of politicians. I didn't see them when we were getting camping supplies earlier (that we will not be using until this is dealt with ironically enough).

 

[CntryBoy777]

They still sell them in Mississippi........there are some really good crossbows too....just sayin'........I don't know if ya never shot a rifle, gun, or pistol or not, but the big difference is the amount of recoil that is produced....a general "rule of thumb" is the larger the calibur of the weapon, the bigger the bang and recoil....I would go to a reputable dealer, many run pawn shops or shooting ranges...and talk to them about it...personally, I would go with a 22mag...if they have a range...ask to shoot it before ya buy it...they will supervise ya....a good pair of earplugs would be very wise....even a 410 shotgun will do major damage with the smallest number of shot ya can get there....automatic shotguns are better than pumps....imo....especially for a lesser experienced shooter....I believe that the 410gauge shotgun has slugs available, but it might be a state thing.....

 

[Bruce]

.there are some really good crossbows too

Oooh, silent and deadly!

 

[rachels.haven]

I'm very seriously considering it. I'm not allowed to use them to hunt (unless you're certain versions of permanently disabled with a doctor's note and govt approval) BUT this is very much not hunting. You are allowed to own them and no license is needed. I'm also not super fond of carrying a shooty thingy with a knife tip on the end, but it would keep my husband happy. I'd probably want a smallish one that could at least do damage point blank, but shooting coyotes off my deck if they decide to try going through wire to get to my chickens again would be another use. Coyote seriously damaged the chicken pen fence, I'm discovering as I take it down.

 

[Bruce]

At least with a crossbow, you know FOR SURE if there is a bolt in the "chamber" and whether or not it is cocked. I think hunting with them here is the same as there.

I've never seen one in person but I suspect you would need a bit more time to go from "loaded" to "ready" with a crossbow.

 

[CntryBoy777]

The tension is placed on the string before the arrow is loaded and the pull of the trigger releases the tension....the time depends on how fast ya can tension the string and place another arrow before a 2nd shot can be taken....make sure ya have good tips on the arrows, but use the field tips for practice...they are cheaper and safer for that, but the "business arrows" will penetrate trees and other things....a galvanized bucket filled with sand will stop most any caliber of lead bullet, but an arrow will go thru it and if against a tree will stick in the tree....so, they are deadly.....many deer shot with bows are killed and the arrow goes through them, unless the tip hits bone....

 

[rachels.haven]

That's what my Dad said. A crossbow bolt with a hunting tip should go right through a coyote and kill it. He advised me to get a crossbow and hunting tips and practice, and start the firearm LTC process, then get a .410 mossberg 500 or a good .22 (his last one was no good, so he's asking around for both of us). I may have a gun in a month. Looks like this is going to be a long process.

Put as skirt on my chicken run. It had to be chicken wire, as we'd already bought Lowe's and Home Depot out of decent length hardware cloth. I do have enough hardware cloth for the top of the run, but not both.

My over large, aggressive coyote gave us a day's of break and was terrorizing people in their back yards in town about a mile away, and is now back. There is another goat breeder less than a mile from my house across the woods from me and he was going after her stock this morning. So early chores and constant checks out the window will be the theme of today. If he shows back up at her place she or her staff or boyfriend will shoot him, so he will either be dead or moved on from there very soon, and I'm hoping he doesn't come here next, but he probably will. I've also made a deal that if they come here and kill him I will pay them, since getting armed is going to take a while.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Good for you ! If you get enough neighbors on the lookout for him, odds are someone will succeed. Hope the gun process moves swiftly for you

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Miss @rachels.haven,

I don't know about you, but I would be reluctant to depend on a crossbow to shoot a coyote. Yes, if you hit the coyote with the arrow, you will definitely kill him. If you miss, you probably won't get a second chance. Were I facing a coyote, I would want a 22 rifle with hollow points or a 12 gauge shotgun with buckshot and slugs. That way, if I miss with the first shot, I still have several shots available to make in quick succession. But maybe the neighbors will take care of coyote for you and you would have to worry about it.

Senile Texas Aggie