armed pacifist

First off, let me say that I am not a hunter, but I have been seeing coyotes in my back yard a lot lately. They are usually about 20-30 yards from the house, and don't even seem to notice my presence, even when I'm yelling at them. I am quite sure I could get a shot at one from this distance. I live in a suburb, with neighbors on both sides, but have about 100 yards of dense woods behind the house. I would like to be as discreet as possible as far as the noise goes because of the neighbors, but want to use enough lead to get the job done. There is a berm before the woodline, so if the round missed or over penetrated, it would hit that, then would have to travel through 100 yards of dense woods, so I am 100% confident that there is no danger to any people.

I have a .22 wichester pump that I was thinking of using, but I have some larger caliber carbines that I could use as well (AR and AK). I would like to use the .22 because of the noise, as I mentioned. I want to kill the coyote, but am not that concerned with a "clean kill" as I have nothing but loathing for these animals, and I'll be damned if they are going to take one of my pets (or anyone elses) if I can do something about it. Will the .22 get the job done?

scandmx5

So you'd rather let the animal suffer by shooting him with a .22?
Noise would be the least of my concern when shooting a coyote with a .22 and then he gets pissed and comes after your ass.

Spike12

22lr is too light for that work, IMHO. 22MAG might be OK with a head shot. You're going to want a center fire. I've seen a video of a pellet gun putting down one (American Airgunner, Wednesdays on ODC channel). Some of those higher powered ones in .22 are pretty powerful but generally make the same noise as a .22 rimfire does.

Since it seems that shooting with those houses around you is out of the question, everybody is too close. But your best answer would seem to be just calling the police.

bsnader

At 20-30 yards I would use a broadhead, yep that should do it. They're real quit too.

armed pacifist

I wish I had a bow. That would be perfect.

armed pacifist

There are no houses in the line of fire. I would have to turn 90* to hit the house on the right, and would have to walk out in the yard and turn about 120* to hit the house on the left. There is a 10-12 ft berm and 100 yards of very dense woods behind the house (you can't see 10 ft into it.) There is no way a .22 would be any threat to any people (not sure how far a .223 can bounce off of soft earth, but I'm guessing not far, but that's another reason I would rather use the .22). If you could see the lay of the land here you would agree with me.

If you feel that the .22 is underpowered though, I will take that under advisement.

The cops/animal control won't do anything. I'd love it if they would just trap it/them and dispose of/re-locate it, but they won't.

bsnader

I thought every body in Alabama had a bow, dang wrong again. I bet it wouldn't be very difficult to find someone who would be willing to help you out.

429421Cowboy

Trust me more coyotes have been killed with head shots from a .22lr then anything else, just ask any trapper. That's what .22 cb ammo was designed for. I have shot plenty of coyotes that weren't trapped too with a .22 and good quality solids, and things alot bigger too, my preference being Remington Yellowjackets, fast stuff and not the cheapest either. Many mountain lion hunters still use .22's for cats (not my cup of tea) with chest shots to save the skulls. I'd say if noise is a big concern and your inside 40 yards a carefully placed shot would do the job just fine.

TMD

Check with local police first. Your talking about discharging a firearm in a residental area. If illegal, the coyotes will be the least of your problems.

Coach

Be careful about the legalities before you start shooting. If you are in a municipality that has ordinances, don't take the shot. If you are like me, in the country with a few houses together, talk to the neighbors first so you don't startle them. The 22 will do the job at 30 yards. A 22 in the head will penetrate one side and bounce around in the skull (quick kill). I have killed many coyotes with a 22, rifle and handgun. Actually, I can't remember ever killing one with anything else. That is going to change, I am setting up a .243 for coyote hunting this year so I can take some longer shots out at the farm.

429421Cowboy

P.S, Let it be known that I'm with Coach, .243 is my coyote rifle for everyday use as well as my truck and saddle gun (BLR). However i'm not afraid to bop a yote with my peashooter if hard pressed. And lets not beat the legality thing to death, that's pacifist's problem to figure out. Good luck to you sir.

Ballenxj

EXACTLY! I've seen coyotes drop like a rock with a properly placed .22.
Also, As I understand, The Indians have taken "every" kind of game animal in North America with the lowly .22.
-Bruce

429421Cowboy

Ballenxj; Yep, I've dropped some pretty big critters with a .22 and every one of the huge range bulls that we run through the slaughter house (as well as all the other beeves) get shot with fmj .22 mags out of a Single Six and they rarely need to get shot twice. It's all placement my friend

kiwihunter

I am totally with cowboy and Bruce on that one the lowly .22 gets sold short a lot of the time a well placed .22 lr especially a yellow jacket or a stinger will kill most critters if your close and can put one in there ear (maybe not ideal but you do your job and it will do its)....its all about placement.....don't underestimate how noisy the faster end .22 lrs can be either especially in suburbia so it might pay to mention the mission to your neighbours or even the police if your worried about complications with the powers that be .

78CJ5

I have the same Yote problem in my neighborhood, I am thinking hard about getting a bow. Every time I shoot my only neighbor calls me being nosey then shortly after that the Sheriff drives through my Cul-de-sac. My neighbor does not want me to shoot the Coyote's even though she has lost several cat's because of them.