Are you Pro-Gun because of predators?

[nurse_turtle]

I have always been anti-gun. I too was reared around guns (hunting, target, etc.) I have fired guns at paper targets and skeet. I am also, however, a new chicken owner. I have had no problems with predation. My Dad has had many problems with predation. He has live-trapped 5 opossums (one of 'em with a pouch full of babies) and 5 raccoons and the neighbor's cat. He did release the cat. He also relocated all the captured predators. At first, I agreed that all his measures were appropriate. After seeing the last possum caught, I begged him to dispatch it. He said he couldn't. I find myself wishing he had SSS them all (babies too). This most recent realization of my true feelings regarding predators comes as much a surprise to me as anyone. I brought these birds here, under my care, and it's my job to keep them safe and secure. I love dogs. I love my dogs. My dogs are electronically restrained and do not leave the area I designate for them.

 

[Ole rooster]

I was talking to a chicken owner today, and he told me of a dog situation he had. And he took responsibility for it. He got home from work one day and 3 labs were in on his property and he had 31 dead hens with the dogs still chasing. He ran them off and went down the road a piece and there were the dogs laying in the drive. He knocked on the door and a girl opened it up and he told her the dogs killed his chickens. She said do way, they haven't left the yard. 3 days later he got home and they were up to it again. He went in the house, got his 30.06 and dropped all three of them. Put them in his truck and took them home. Dumped them in the drive, knocked on the door and told the girl they did leave the yard but they would no more. That was the last of it. Nothing more was ever said. He took responsibility and covered the problem.
Oh, the way he knew these were the dogs, they each had on a different color collar.

I'd do the same.

 

[cafarmgirl]

SSS of livestock killing dogs has to be taken on a case by case basis. One cannot make a blanket statement that it is 100% wrong or right in all situations.

As one poster said, the dog belonged to a drug house. In a case like that is it really worth possible retaliation to your property, your livestock, your home or your family?! All over a dog? No, of course not! You deal with the problem and move on.

If the owner is not considered a retaliation risk and you want to have that conversation with them then by all means, go ahead.

In my situation the dog had never been around here before, I knew he did not belong to my neighbor's and he was extremely aggessive. Had I been bitten by that dog and then let him get away guess who'd have to get rabies shots?!

I am 100% pro gun but we very, very rarely have had to use any of ours because we have taken the time to make our pens secure. And it's really not that hard. We have never killed a possum, skunk, racoon, or fox. In 23 years we've taken out exactly one coyote and the one dog I mentioned in my previous post.

 

[animalsRawesome]

http://www.gunlife.org/blog/ Can you tell that I am pro gun? A friend sent me this link and I just had to share it with everyone.

Okay, so IDK why my link won't work. Sorry! just google " my neighbor wants to ban all guns "

 

[Ole and Lena]

The politics are well covered above so I won't bother. I'd like to add however, there's more to using a gun to protect your flock than owning one. You need to know how to use it! I grew up with bb guns, moved on to .22s, shotguns, and high power rifles. I'm now a nationally ranked service rifle competitor and I find it hard to hit a predator moving through cover with a rifle. I'd recommend a shotgun with #4 shot for predator control, and a .22 with CB ammo or a high velocity pellet rifle for anything inside. Either will kill a raccoon with a solid head shot.

Practice is essential. Start with a high powered pellet gun and some fun "dinger" targets in the backyard. Cheap, fun passtime and you may find a new appreciation for the shooting sports in addition to honing your flock (AND PERSONAL) protection skills.

 

[geoff40]

Quote:
If you ask any biologist working for your State's Wildlife agency, they will all tell you that "relocating" a live trapped animal usually results in a more cruel death than shooting the animal. You bring it to a strange place that it knows nothing at all about, it has to find food and water, shelter, and compete with the critters already there. It has to keep out of harms way. Repeated studies have shown a very high mortality rate of relocated animals on a consistent basis. Its not the alternative that many wish it was.

As for gun rights, the 1st and 4th Amendments to the Constitution grant you the right to free speech and the right to assemble. The right is given to "the people". Isn't it an ironic twist to listen to someone who would be among the first to defend their rights under the 1st and 4th Amendments then tell you that in the case of the 2nd Amendment, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" does not mean people, it means the militia. Like the founding fathers were half asleep or drunk when they wrote that.

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:

 

[AFChick]

Grew up on a ranch outside of Bozeman, MT., started shooting predators at age 7. USAF wife for over 20 years... VERY pro gun & VERY pro protect my family and assets.

 

[epeloquin]

Quote:
Amen to that!!!

 

[bloom_ss]

Yes, I am pro guns because of predators. Doesn't mean that the predators I am speaking of are of the four legged variety though. They tend to come in many shapes and sizes...in fact many of them look just like you and I. I have had my concealed weapons permit for a while now. Needless to say, there had better not be any predators coming to MY house.