speaking of guns....

[amazondoc]

This isn't *precisely* a predator/pest post, but I think it qualifies since guns are a common method of dealing with predators and pests.

I'm currently in the process of moving to a mini-farm which is pretty much surrounded by several hundred acres of pasture and woods. I am interested mostly in NON-lethal methods of predator control, and perhaps deterrence of two-footed predators as well (I do live with a literal herd of dobermans, so this part doesn't worry me much -- but you never know!). To that end, I'd like to learn more about things like paint-ball guns, rock salt (and the difficulty of loading your own shells), perhaps rubber bullets, and so on. I have shot guns a few times -- actually, they were dart guns loaded with anesthetic darts -- but I know very little about firearms in general.

I know there are several firearms experts around here. Anybody care to educate me? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[angelmarie]

get a pellet gun

 

[rooster-red]

If you go the shotgun loaded with rock salt route make sure you break the gun down and clean it thouroghly everytime you use it or the barrel will pit very quickly.

Loading the shells is not too compicated, open the end, remove the shot and pack with the salt, reclose the end. pack the salt tightly.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

.22 rifle with a scope will take care of a lot of things.

 

[ninjapoodles]

I don't know how big/strong you are (and I know you get better with practice, but I don't practice), but a shotgun practically knocks me down. I can shoot Alex's .22, but it kicks me as well. A pellet-gun is definitely more my speed.

 

[rufus]

Don't do it. If you are not experieced with firearms, get a pellet gun.

Rufus

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Good thought. However, I am six feet tall and....ummmmm.....shall we say, "robust" .....so I have pretty good mass to resist a recoil.

OTOH, I have nothing against the idea of pellet guns. Do other folks think this would be a good thing for me to start with?

edited to add -- and if a pellet gun is the way to go, then what sort? Do air rifles and bb guns both count as "pellet" guns? I'm pretty much clueless here!

 

[Paegglvr]

At least in my state... shooting foxes and yotes with pellet guns is a no no. Regardless of what you shoot them with... they're a game species and have seasons and rules.

Your best non-lethal method is going to be trapping or a high powered electric fence.

 

[FlockEweFarm]

OK, You need to bear in mind that I am a former Deputy Sheriff, and a former Texan, so both of those things color my responses, that being said, I STRONGLY suggest, in the interest of your personal safety, and the safety of those around you, that you consider going to a licensed gun dealer with someone you trust, and who is competent with weapons, and you find a weapon that you feel comfortable with, and then get trained in how to use it safely.
I understand you are seeing NON-lethal protection, but dear heart, in the immortal words of Bambies mama, "Man is in the forest", and quite often in your neck of the woods he is up to no good. The four legged animals are a big enough issue for you, but I always have believed in the have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it school of thought. I have never had to shoot anyone, but there was a night, when I was very lucky that I had a .45 Colt loaded with .230 grain Hydroshoks, with which to change a mans mind about how bad he wanted in my house,(nothing like a 5'1, 120 lb blonde with a very big pistol too cool off a fellas mood), because I called the cops when he first started beating on the door, and it took them 28 minutes to get to my house.
A lot of folks will tell you one gun is good over another, and I got by for quite a few years with just a 12 gauge shotgun, but if all you have is non-lethal, and a RABID fox, coyote, dog, or whatever shows up, all you are going to do with a paintball gun is piss them off, and what you will NEED to do is humanely kill them quickly.
Whatever you decide to do, you need to make sure you are a responsible owner of any weapon, even a pellet gun, and make sure you have them secured when children are about.

 

[rooster-red]

A shotgun with rock salt has a very limited range.

If you get a pellet gun that has a pump action you can vary the velocity of the pellet by how many times you pump it. from 1-10 times.

I have a .22 pellet gun, and with 10 pumps on it it is as lethal as a regular .22 rifle.

when buying pellet guns you get what you pay for, just something to keep in mind.

Your Doberman's urine will deter alot of predators also.