Author Topic: Shotgun loads and pelt damage (Read 517 times)

oldtramrambler · « **on:** March 23, 2005, 01:05:36 AM »

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and looking to get into predator hunting next fall. I will be hunting wooded areas where my shots would be pretty short range. I don't have a "predator caliber" rifle now, so I'll have to start off with my 12 ga. I am interested in hunting coyotes, red fox, and bobcats. We have all of them in my area of southern Missouri. I am interested in saving the pelts of anything I might get.

So here's what I'm wondering about. Will the #4 buckshot loads be fur-friendly? Are the same loads suitable for the three species I mentioned?

I've got a lot to learn, and this looks like an excellent place to start my education.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Catfish · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2005, 02:30:48 AM »

I used to hunt fox alot. We always loaded 3 rounds of eather no.2`s or BB`s followed by 2 rounds of no. 4 bucks. 2`s and BB`s work better out to 60 yrds. on fox than do no. 4 bucks. I would recomand loading all no. 4 bucks for coyote over 30 yrds., they are alot harder to knock down.

Feez · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2005, 03:40:29 AM »

Yep, I agree with the BIG shot.
They aren't going to exit, and it's better to have fewer, slightly bigger holes than lots of holes.

If the animal gets too close before you get a shot off, wait till he runs away. He won't bite you, he's more scared of you than you are of him (and should be!)

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2005, 11:36:51 AM »

Can't comment much on shotguns, and coyotes, but I did kill a nice one at about 15 yards with my 20 guage 870 using Federal 3" magnum #2 shot.

The 3" magnum #2s in my 20 guage are deadly on foxes out to 40 yards with a super full choke, and work just as well on average sized bobcats up to nearly that range.

I know I might could extend my range slightly with smaller shot(denser patterns), but since most of my shotgun foxes are taken between 25 and 35 yards it'd tear up too many hides. Stick with bigger shot, and wait till the range is right.