Are you Pro-Gun because of predators?

[ivan3]

EMaker wrote: I'm pro gun when the gun is in the hands of a responsible adult ONLY, and when the gun is used as a last resort means of personal protection. I'm not pro shooting predators. I am most assuredly NOT a pro-SSS, which in my opinion is a cowardly, redneck tactic (it means shoot, shovel, shut up---meaning you shoot your neighbor's dog if it bothers your livestock, hide the body and then don't tell anyone what you did. ) Instead, I'm pro- securing one's animal housing.

*Although some ways are not considered ideal to some, it serves the purpose of removing the offending predator. If you have an idea or a helpful comment, please do reply. If it is a sarcastic comment about the disposal or capture of a predator, please keep your thoughts to yourself. We are not here to judge one another on methods or ways and means.

*If you wish to suggest an alternate non lethal means of control, please share it in a non judgmental way that is a viable solution and not merely complaining about who was here first etc, IF it is directly related to the OP's request for assistance. If a non lethal alternative is offered, please be appreciative and remember that there are many ways and means and flaming a member for suggesting such an alternative will not be tolerated.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5808

A useful tool for retiring a neighbor's proxy agent of trespass and destruction as it harasses one's chooks, from the other side of one's secure fencing, to the point that they are being stressed into not laying again for a week. SSS is only useful for strays. If I know who owns the dog I always tell the Sheriff it tried to bite me (get a lot more mileage legally). Then I consider a lawsuit (lawyers are a bit more blunt force trauma kinda tools)...​

 

[Mac in Wisco]

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That was a valid opinion. You don't have to agree.

 

[kareninthesun]

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And this is with dogs that the bad guys managed to get the big dog into the back yard. The last time my son came home from school and immediately went into the kitchen to make a sandwich. Called me at work to let me know he was home and said that our dog was outside barking at something. (the robbers were in my bedroom, had closed the hall door, bedroom door and were trying to get out the window. The dog wasn't allowing that.) When son mentioned that it was weird that the hall door was closed, I immediately told him to go to the neighbor's house. Run. As he reaches the neighbor's door, the robbers run out the same door to a car across the street. AND THIS IS IN A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD. A cop lives next door, an FBI agent lived across the street. Both happened in broad daylight.

 

[FourPawz]

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Not really. I used to target shoot for sport and I've taken more than one marksmanship class in college. We've killed a couple of poisonous snakes (one in the last month or so) and a shotgun allowed us to dispatch the beast from a distance.

 

[EMaker]

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And this is with dogs that the bad guys managed to get the big dog into the back yard. The last time my son came home from school and immediately went into the kitchen to make a sandwich. Called me at work to let me know he was home and said that our dog was outside barking at something. (the robbers were in my bedroom, had closed the hall door, bedroom door and were trying to get out the window. The dog wasn't allowing that.) When son mentioned that it was weird that the hall door was closed, I immediately told him to go to the neighbor's house. Run. As he reaches the neighbor's door, the robbers run out the same door to a car across the street. AND THIS IS IN A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD. A cop lives next door, an FBI agent lived across the street. Both happened in broad daylight.

I'm TOTALLY and ABSOLUTELY fine with using a gun for self-protection against threatening humans. Humans know better, animals do not! I'm a great shot and believe me, I'd use a gun on someone who came into my home and threatened to harm me in any way, without any guilt whatsoever. What I am opposed to is using a gun as a first resort against dogs, and intruding wild animals (and plenty of people here do just that, they shoot first), because I honestly think securing the pens/barn/coops/paddocks is a better option and usually possible to do. That said, if coyotes (or another predator) ganged up on any of my horses while out on pasture, and attacked, yes, in that instant where there isn't any other option, I'd shoot. My point is that there usually IS another option, and while not everyone here shoots dogs with disregard and without warning the dog owner, there ARE some folks who do so. That is my issue. And what I feel is cowardly about SSS are the latter two SS---to shovel and shut up. If you shoot and kill a dog, at least have the courage to claim your deed, and not hide it....and perhaps even feel badly about having to do it, rather than smugly brag. I hope I've clarified my opinion...and it's just that, my opinion to which I'm entitled, and of which you're entitled to disagree.

 

[wattsjadajoe]

I was born into and raised around guns. I'm not saying I AM pro-Gun...just don't know any other way.

I have hunted with my family since I was old enough.....I was the dog at first...LOL

I kinda lost the need or want to kill around 1990...but I still have all my guns and I was always taught...you never sell a gun..You trade it, use it, and/or pass it on to family.

And I AM very proficient with everything from my pellet guns to my High Powered Riffles!

Only use em' If needed......which hasn't been in a while.

JMO


Joe

 

[Mac in Wisco]

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Sometimes claiming the deed can cause more problems. In most places it is legal to shoot a dog that is harassing your livestock, but it can still cause quite a problem with neighbors who may not agree. There are instances when it's best to just let the neighbors wonder what ever became of that dog than to make life-long enemies.

I wouldn't paint the topic with such a broad brush, there are always individual circumstances.

 

[lampshadeee69]

Raccoons and possums mangled 11 of my chickens (and countless chicks). with the high-powered help of a pellet gun and a well-placed shot to the head, I mangled them. They can try to get the chickens they want, but I will get their pelts in the end.

 

[EMaker]

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Sometimes claiming the deed can cause more problems. In most places it is legal to shoot a dog that is harassing your livestock, but it can still cause quite a problem with neighbors who may not agree. There are instances when it's best to just let the neighbors wonder what ever became of that dog than to make life-long enemies.

I wouldn't paint the topic with such a broad brush, there are always individual circumstances.

I disagree with this, heartily. If one cannot bear the problems associated with claiming the deed, then one shouldn't do the deed. Responsibility and accountability should be part of it, for both parties.

 

[EMaker]

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How did they get to your chickens and chicks?