Coyote Advice Sought

[Ibicella]

I will add my agreement with everyone else, go out and get a shotgun and take a lesson at a range ASAP!

The fact that you could get THAT close to them and they didn't care is a very, VERY bad sign. It's not just the chickens that are in danger now, other pets, children, and even adults are in danger.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Quote:
Agreed!! Be VERY careful at this point! We lived "peacefully" will coyotes for years, would see them on the backside of our property in the fall/winter, but loud banging pots/yelling would scare them away. That worked for awhile, but slowly they became accustomed to it and that stopped working and became more and more brazen, eventually killing a wild turkey 5 feet from our front door. That was the final straw and after dispatching two of them, we haven't seen them again in a year.

Get a gun, get informed on how to use it and USE IT!

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Friends:
In my youth - 25+ years ago, I was a great shot and even placed in a contest with my 9mm from 150 (slow shot).
That was then and this is now.
I just downloaded & filled out a new application for my FOID.
I always shot for fun (knowing I could protect myself & family from 2 legged predators was just a bonus).
I have been all over our county & state police web sites and have not found answers to:
1) How far away do I need to be from my neighbor? Home to our nearest neighbor the the East is about 950' w/trees.
2) Can I legally kill the coyotes?

*** We have a Park District walking path and Park District Property to our South. The property starts about 100' from the area we are having toruble in and the path would not be an issue BUT - what if some one was off the path & through the thickets while I was shooting.

I know nothing about the spray of a 12 guage or the range of a rifle or handgun. The gun shop I called in my area won't even talk to me unless I am there in person presenting an FOID.

I'm thinking I need to borrow one from what you out there are telling me. From the behavior I described, the current season we are in, and the open availablitlity of field mice and rabbits on our 14 + acres, how long do you think I have before they won't stop until they get something?

 

[shesaredroan]

I had ALL my chickens taken by coyotes back in the summer of '08. They came back and took 3 of my cats (the last 2 cats decided to NEVER go outside after that). Then they came back and took my 8 yr old wire fox terrier, my border collie was NO HELP!!

Now I have 1 full great pyrenees and 2 pry mixes. Guard dogs work best when you have 2 or more. I haven't had a coyote on my place since!!! We sometimes hear coyotes in our neighbor's pastures at night, but my 'farm security' is always on duty and they send out lots of very BIG, DEEP warnings to any who want to try to tangle. My 2 cats will now go outside again. : )

You might want to get a LGD (large guardian dog) to give your dog some help. My dogs know when there's trouble before I do.
I also have a pistol with 'spray' bullets, but I have to be out there to use it. I will NOT shoot it at night when I can't see what's behind my target.........I have horses in my pasture and my neighbors have cattle.

Maybe you might get a shotgun and a LGD to team up with your dog ...........then you'll have double protection.
Which chickens, it's always somethin'.
Good luck!

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Thanks for the advice on LPD but I was told by a breeder that I need to dog proof fence the entire property, keep my pet dog away from the LPD, and never bring in or play with the LPD. Fencing is not doable due to our creek, floodplain, woods and finances: and treating a dog or any other animal that way is just not in us.

Very sorry to hear about your experience in '08 - I'm sure it still hurts.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
The above in my opinion is most likely to succeede. The coyotes allowing such close approach could also indicate inexperienced pups.

 

[TnTom]

I dispatched one a few days ago and posted a pic in another thread. In my opinion a 12ga with 00 buck at 25yds aim at the head. Before you do take it to a safe place to shoot it and take a dozen rounds and learn where your hitting on paper. Its called patterning. A #4 turkey load is good but I have shot yotes at close range with #4's and they dont always drop depending. 00Buck body or head and they eat it. If your going after them make sure you can hit where you aim and blow the crap out of them. AND DON'T HIT YOUR CHICKENS. If they are as bold as it sounds you can walk up and take a couple if you practice. A 12 ga. 3" mag 00 buck shot isnt overkill (no such thing with these critters)

I use a rifle but Im an experienced hunter and shooter, if you are new to shooting a rifle can be a disadvantage in the excitement and all. 00 Buck has 11 pellets and at 25yds you can blow his head off and a body shot they never walk away from. Ive seen coyote take a poodle standing next to his owner in broad day light when I lived in Ca. in an established neighborhood.

Practice and then a little more. Be confident that when you point it you know what the results will be and dont take a shot that you doubt. Good luck and Im assuming your not in the city limits??? Check your firearm rules and regulations

 

[Ang]

Quote:
Illinois has an open coyote season. As long as you are not trapping them, its legal all year. Of course, you might want to check with you local laws about discharging a firearm.

 

[emarble]

A Good 4-10 gauge shot gun single shot will do break over or bolt action either one! Make sure your chickens are not in the line of fire when you shoot! You want one that will hold 3 inch magnums No 4 shot is fine! They will keep coming back till they take something whether it is chicken dog or c

 

[Tommie D]

Quote:

I was going to suggest a .410 but didn't want to hear all the flack from it. I learned to hunt way back when with my great uncle and he used a .410 for everything as I think it was the only gun he ever had. I still hunt with a .410, A 20ga O/U with .410 tubes and I still have my old Mossberg pump. Works great on just about everything from Deer to Quail. (Yes I said Deer! T/C Contender 12" .45/.410 barrel loaded with a slug) For a yote I would go with OO buck but that's just me because I know my gun.