alternative weapons that will kill a coyote/racoon/opossum...?

[booker81]

Find a friend who likes guns, and ask to learn. Most of us gun lovers are more than happy to teach gun safety and help!!!

I have a 3 y/o and we have guns - a lot. My dad even bought her her own gun - when I was pregnant with her.

Trigger locks come with gun purchases, but I'm sure you could get one cheap or ask a friend for one (we prefer to keep our guns in the gun safe, and don't use the trigger locks - they just collect in the door of the safe).

 

[treekatie]

If you'd feel more comfortable with a single shot, get it. One well placed shot is better than a hundred 'spray and prays'. A yote won't stand around while you shoot at him more than once, you'll be lucky to get him to stand still for that ONE shot. Plus, .22 may not be the best caliber to shoot coyotes with. They don't make varmint loads for .22 that I'm aware of, those tend to be for centerfire calibers (mostly .223 and larger, but there's hundreds of calibers). But a good .22 hollow point should do the trick. I bet if you hit him with it you wouldn't see him again any time soon.

On the other end of the scale, I've got a Marlin Model 60 .22 that Santa brought me 30 years ago. It holds 17 in the magazine, plus 1 in the chamber. It has been through pure-t heck, I've even used it for a boat paddle before (unloaded!). Not the only brand or the best, but cheap and it's held up well for me.

 

[Flyingbavarian]

A high power pellet gun will not reliably take any of those I'm not saying it won't because someone has probably used one for the purpose but it would be my absolute last choice. Getting a .22 long rifle would be the very minimum imo a .22 mag would be a better choice and still be about as cheap as getting a regular .22 lr. A single shot 12 gauge would work good and only cost around $100. You could always get live traps like the large havahart that would work for raccoon sized and smaller and can be found for around 50-75 dollars. The extra large havahart would be good for coyote and smaller and can be had for around $100. Just getting a gun and shooting isnt as easy as it sounds those animals are mostly nocturnal so you will be shooting in the dark. And getting in range isn't easy at all the animals they will run for it as soon as they hear you usually so you would need it well lit around the coop or use a spotlight. By the time you hear the commotion at 3 a.m. it might be to late to go out and shoot whatever is trying to kill your flock. Trapping will work much better imo set it with some bait tuna, or canned cat food works best for me go out in the morning and dispatch of the animal. A .22 lr will be fine for that since you will be able to place the shot where you want it. If you still don't want a gun get a large trashcan full of water and drop the trap with the animal in it very quick and easy. Some will say to try and relocate the animal and that would be fine if you want but remember that you will be giving someone else your problem. No one likes to kill the animals and most would say ahhh look how cute that raccoon is but it only take one attack and dead birds to change your mind on the matter. I had a pair of raccoons kill 16 out of 24 bantams in one night by the time I heard it grabbed my 12 gauge got out there I did manage to kill one of them but the damage was done It was live traps after that. Always make sure your coop is as tight as possible would be my first advice any wire that might be just a little slack can be pulled out by a coon look around any holes bigger than your fist should be plugged. Sorry for the long reply but saving someone the heartache of having your flock decimated by predators is important to me.

 

[hippiehen]

I actually do not recommend getting a gun unless you are willing to take a firearms safety course and learn how to use it confidently and correctly, then log in some target shooting before you try to kill anything with it. Guns are most dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.
Do you or your neighbors have dogs? There is a way to kill varmits without guns but I don't know if it's legal and you don't want your chickens or pets getting in it....

Mix some Golden Marlin fly bait with some raw hamburger meat, set it out on your property line one evening and... watch the dead coons and coyotes pile up.

EDIT: Wear gloves when you mix it! Kills cats too!

 

[jerseygirl1]

Try a 410 shotgun - I can't use it, I doubt if a child could. I would NOT get a pistol

 

[chickened]

Others have said basically the same thing but take a concealed weapons class, familiarize your self with guns and thier operations, keep it secure and put the ammo where only you know where it is at. Owning a gun is no different than driving a car for the operator I assume you learned to drive safely so am confident you can learn to shoot safely also. Also if your kids are young teach them early on what a gun is and I mean pound it into thier head that they need to respect what a gun is and can do. My boys all knew not to play with guns at a very early age.

 

[schellie69]

I have a Henry 22 that I use hollow points in I have 2 small grand daughters that live with me. I keep the gun put up and the ammo in a different spot. I would not get a single load 22 to much work mine holds between 14-17 depending if I am shooting short 22's or long 22's. I know that here you can get a free trigger lock from the sheriff's office they give them out during the fair and have them at the office. I have already started teaching my grand daughter about guns yes at 2 and 1 they may not understand what I am saying but they have yet to even try and touch the gun. When we get more guns we will be getting a gun safe. I would ask around and see if anyone you know has guns and will let you try out some different ones find the one that works for you then practice and practice some more until you feel completely comfortable with the gun. I co2 pellet gun can hurt someone just like a gun my son was shot with a pellet gun luckily just a regular pellet gun I have seen what a co2 pellet gun did to another person so they should be treated just like any other firearm. Good luck I hope you find something that works for you,

 

[bakerjw]

To point out. The OP is in Illinois which means they must have an FOID card to possess a gun in their home and there is no conceal carry process which means that it is very difficult to find a CCW class. They do have the classes occasionally for people who live there that want to get a Utah carry permit.

Find someone to take you shooting or call a gun club and ask them for advice. Gun lovers are always very happy to help out someone interested in overcoming their fear of guns. Guns are a tool. I keep several loaded and handy for predators. If the need arises I can run and gun because my birds are an investment in self sufficiency. Find someone to go shooting with and educate yourself.

ETA: And for a coyote, a .22 is going to be borderline. You don't want to wound a predator only to have it run off and died several days later. If you shoot one you want it to die as wounding is inhumane.

 

[hennyannie]

There alot of people in our area with these callers that would be more than pleased to come out and try to call the coyote and kill it for you. One word of caution, make sure they are adults with gun safety experience themselves. We have had teens ask about coming to our farm to hunt vermin as they call it. I am sure there is someone near you who would help with this problem.

 

[Mervin]

I understand your concern and had a similar concern a few years ago. I grew up around guns and was taught how to use them properly, but, at the time, my children were simply too young to understand. I kept my guns at my mom and dad's house for a few years for that reason. However things got to the point that I simply could not be without a small-caliber weapon.

As many have said, trigger locks are available. Another step I take is to remove the bolt. On most bolt-action rifles, the bolt easily slides out and in. Without it, the weapon can't be fired. I store the weapon, the bolt, and the magazine in three separate places that aren't easily accessible to the kids.

I would, like some others, suggest some type of firearms familiarization/training. Also, when the time comes, teach your kids as well. The first time my dad let me handle a gun my mom was furious. He defended himself, saying "He'd rather have me do it properly, with his supervision than by myself when no one was looking." I think he was absolutely right. If he had hadn't provided a safe opportunity, curiosity would have likely gotten the better of me. My six-year-old son is beginning to show an interest in shooting and hunting now.I have let him fire my .22 and started to teach him the safety aspects. Along with that, I think that it's important to teach respect for living things. Our surplus roosters have been a vital part of that lesson.