So the weapon of choice may be the one that most people aren't using. Maybe a reproduction cowboy pistol. Bazooka. Spear.
I'm trying to picture this:
Your wife yells "Honey, I think there's a coon in the hen house!"
You reply "I'll be there in a jiffy, sweetie plums." (squeak, shuffle, squeak, shuffle, squeak, shuffle, squeak)
Your wife yells "Hurry, honey, I think it's got one of the chickens!"
You reply "Arumph" (squeak, groan, squeak, shuffle, squeak)
Your wife yells "Harry, for the love of God, get out there!"
You reply "Uggghhhhh" (squeak, shuffle, squeak, groan, squeak)
No, a cannon is just not suitable for critter control.