Shotgun predator hunting

[streak]

How many of you out there predator hunt with a shotgun and what gauge and favorite loads do you like? Also what size of predators?

[Thebear_78]

I have done quite a bit of predator hunting with a shotgun.   Mainly coyotes and fox either called or ran with dogs.  I definately perfer a 12ga either 3 or 3 1/2 magnum shells.  THe best ammo to get is lead 2s, #4 buck, and the dead coyote ammo.   THe dead coyote ammo is really spendy like $30 for 10, but effective.    Always pattern your gun with different chokes to get a good pattern.  I really like the paternmaster choke tube, they are pretty spendy but worth every penny.   With the dead coyote ammo I have shot coyotes out to 60-65 yards and with #4 buck I have rolled a few out closer to 100 yards.    I did a test one time with 3" buffered #4 buck at 80 yards shooting at a 2 foot square of cardboard.  There were 27 out of the 41 buckshot still on the cardboard.    when hunting them with dogs it was more important to put some lead into them, they dogs would catch awounded coyote or fox fairly easily.   FOr predator calling I have used lead 2s on fox, coon, and bobcat with very good results out to 35-40 yards,  dead coyote and #4 buck out to 60-70.

You really have to pattern this stuff to find out what works best.   Also avoid steel shot, they really don't kill well when compared to lead.

[hawgmaster]

I use a Mossberg 835 while hunting the thick places here in SC for coyotes. I have not seen anything better than the " DEAD COYOTE" loads from Heavy shot, I also use the Carlson's Dead Coyote choke tube in the same gun, and beleive me it is a deadly combo on yotes, I have been very successful with one shot kills out to 65 yards and I have complete confidense in the shotgun for yotes.

[Catfish]

I haven`t used a shotgun in years but used to hunt fox with one. 2`s, and BB`s were my prefered size of shot. I would load 3 of them and back them up with 2 number 4 bucks. Most of the guy around here that are useing shotguns on coyote have went to useing 4 bucks all togeather.

[wild country]

I woud have to agree with Thebear, I live up north, Northern Maine and our yotes get big.  I used the #4 buck and in the pattern master it works great, on fox it's a bit much.  I switch to 00 buck and shot it out of a mod choke tube.  For yotesit works, on fox it's great, you just haeto wait til there about 50-60 yards out before tripping the trigger.  It's a must as some have said to pattern your gun with the diffrent shot size and choke tubes.  I would say the main thing is get out and get the blood pumping on a few close calls and see how the shotgun works for you.........

[streak]

Thanks for the great input!
Years ago I was hunting with my bassett and I heard a pack of beagles running something and because of the high grass could not see except for the dim road that I was walking. Suddenly  a fox started out across this road at about 40 yards from me! It was going fast and I shot twce with my low base # 6's 12 gauge as the fox crossed the road. I could tell that the first shot hit him and not sure of the second. The bassett ran up to the spot where the fox turned abd headed down in a wooded ravine. The bassett went part way down the ravine out of site,and I followed her. I heard her giving a low gluttaral growl anfd figured that the fox was wounded and holed up. I finally got to wherr I could see her and she was standing looking at the fox lying about three feet from her deader than a door nail! He was a big gray fox.

So I was impressed with that shot and always wanted to do some predator hunting with the shotgun.
I have alot of 12 gauge #4 buck and #2's lead so, also have a single shot 10 gauge with a ample supply of BB's. So looks like all I need to do is get out and get after them when I find the time!
Most of my hunting is done in the heavy thickets and woods of E.Texas.

[melsdad]

I use a 12 gauge with a Dead Coyote choke tube shooting 3" remington #4 buck. After some grueling range sessions patterning different loads this is what my 1300 Black shadow like the most. Dead coyote loads would be second, but the price keeps me away.