Coyote problem, need ideas

[Reyort]

I would get a shotgun. A .22 would be okay but requires control and precision which can be hard to do when you are excited and the adrenaline is pumping. If you miss then the bullet keeps on going which could be several hundred yards. A 12 gauge with buck shot has an effective range of about 75 yards depending on the load. Even a small game load would take care of a coyote at 25 yards or so. If you are still worried about hitting something behind it you can always step down to a 20 gauge. In either case get you a semi auto or pump action. Single shots are literally a pain to shoot.

 

[Tommy12241]

Well the reason I said .22 is because you don't have a shotgun. and the .45 black powder is a bit much and if you miss you miss there is no reload time. At least with a .22 you can get maybe two off. But a .22 will kill him or fatal wound him because it will enter and bounce off bones. ricocheting all inside his body ripping everything to pieces. but be careful because even a .22 can travel up to a mile

 

[Greyfox Farm]

Really? A .22? Reason I ask is, I have a coyote problem AND a .22, but didn't think I could take one out with such a small caliber!? Good for opossums, though... What ammo do you use?

A .22 LR can effectively and reliably kill something the size of a coyote only with a well-placed head shot. This is all but impossible on a moving animal unless the shooter is heavily trained, and then it's no sure thing. A .22LR to the body MIGHT kill the animal eventually due to blood loss or a random hit to a vital internal organ, but it's probably about a one-in-four chance and will not be instantanious. With a shotgun I'd use #4 buck; much denser pattern that 00. If the 'yote is coming under the fence in one particular spot I'd stake out a leg-hold trap, say a #2 or #3, and get him on the way in, and THEN you can walk up and kill him with the .22LR. Good luck.

 

[LegginMF12]

A .22 LR can effectively and reliably kill something the size of a coyote only with a well-placed head shot. This is all but impossible on a moving animal unless the shooter is heavily trained, and then it's no sure thing. A .22LR to the body MIGHT kill the animal eventually due to blood loss or a random hit to a vital internal organ, but it's probably about a one-in-four chance and will not be instantanious. With a shotgun I'd use #4 buck; much denser pattern that 00. If the 'yote is coming under the fence in one particular spot I'd stake out a leg-hold trap, say a #2 or #3, and get him on the way in, and THEN you can walk up and kill him with the .22LR. Good luck.

I like the leg hold trap idea. Unfortunately illegal here. I spoke with F&G. They said he is a considered a red alert and they would use lethal force to remove him. Except........San Bernardino County does not have a contract with them. They told me to 1. Try calling the county agriculture dept and see if they contract out with private trappers. 2. (love this one) Dig a 2 ft deep, 3 ft out from fence trench and line it with chicken wire. Ummm, I have 5 acres, do you know how long it would take me to dig that trench and how much chicken wire it would take to cover that area? He was here last night. He tried to dig into both of the coops but one is a plywood floor and the other is lined outside with chicken wire about six inches into the ground and out about 3 ft from sides of coop. My chickens are a little P.O.'ed that they are not getting to go scratch for bugs and wallow in their favorite dust baths. If I shoot him, I want a clean kill and I want to do it soon. If it is a female, any pups she had will be out of the den by now and able to fend for themselves. I don't want to wound an animal and have it die a slow death. You should never take the shot unless you are sure it will bring an animal down. If you wound it you have the responsibility of tracking it and finishing the job. I am calling County Ag on Monday.

 

[Greyfox Farm]

Perhaps you could use a snare. I've used them effectively on beaver but I haven't tried them on coyote. I'm not sure of the legality in your corner of the world but they're only legal here below the ice, ie. on the aforementioned beaver, but if he's coming through a specific hole I think he's particularly susceptible to a snare. They are SO simple, cheap and easy to rig.

 

[wekiva bird]

I have got them with my bow.

 

[J-Sanders]

He is making his normal route and if you know his time to your location. Set up with your .22 on the down wind side of his normal dig spot. Be very still and have the gun sitting on your knees. Use skunk scent for masking (throw the clothes out later or keep them bagged for later use.). The bad part is that coyotes are pack animals and you are just seeing the scout. If he gets through you will see the pack. CCI stingers work really well if your rifle likes them and they feed with absolute reliability. Don't need a jam with a mad coyote staring at you. If your down wind side is between his route and your coop so much the better as he will be checking your house for movement and sounds. And he/she will be very patient so you have to be as well. If you were closer I would take care of it for you as I predator hunt quite a bit and have the night vision scope and ghillie suit set up for it.

 

[akashia26]

depending on how much you want to spend you can turn the 8'x8' dog prefab chainlink dog pens into a good trap for them. just need some wire, a few bunje cords and a 4' piece of 2x4.

 

[moomoodiddy]

Poison,gun, gaurd dog, or donkey

 

[HEChicken]

A .22 LR can effectively and reliably kill something the size of a coyote only with a well-placed head shot. This is all but impossible on a moving animal unless the shooter is heavily trained, and then it's no sure thing.

I second that but I will add that I hadn't fired any weapon in at least five years but when I had a fox visit 3 weeks ago, I picked up a .22 LR and from a distance of about 80' had no problem getting a clean head shot. One shot was all it took. It was the first live target I'd ever shot at, in case you get ideas I am a "heavily trained" sharp shooter LOL. I had lost 14 birds the day before and knew he'd be back so I sat out at the coop and waited for him. When I spotted him, yes, the adrenaline was pumping and yes, I was terrified I'd miss because of it but honestly, it was an easy shot. My .22 does have a scope which certainly made it easier. I would say this has to be the solution to your coyote problems, and cheaper than rebuilding your fence every day. Another option is an LGD but on 5-acres that may end up creating more problems than it solves. Good luck!