Author Topic: shotgun or rifle for eastern coyotes? (Read 1086 times)

SAWgunner · « **on:** August 17, 2003, 11:27:41 AM »

I will grab a shotgun everytime if the shot cannot be that long. A .22 Magnum is amazing on coyotes within 100 yards. I usually carry a .220 Swift on the Ranch (hardly any trees in Eastern Wyoming), which is serious coyote medicine. Truthfully, I have killed more coyotes with a 12 guage that with the Swift (I have only owned the Swift for a few months). Try to stick to the 3" magnum buckshot (any size form #4 and up is fine) which does a number on the Pack Dogs.

varmint101 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2003, 07:26:45 AM »

I don't have any experience with the shotgun on coyotes, but from what I've read and heard with #4's a 40 yard max is the way that goes. Turkey loads might have a bit more oomph though eh? A 22mag should work just fine on coyotes inside of 100yards. I had a friend that used to take them all the time with the mag out to 120yards or so when out fox hunting. Hell he used to take them every so often with a 10/22 usually around 50-60 yards. I wouldn't do it though. Not with a LR anyways haha. I shot one with my 10/22 at about 40 yards and it ran another 60 before it fell over. Now I use a .243 and they don't run anymore, but it's not so great on the little red fox though!! Sometimes it leaves a nice hole. :roll: Just gotta miss the shoulder. Ok enough rambling, you should be good to go cknight98. Regards,

Matt

squirrel_hunter6 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2003, 05:18:27 AM »

If you're going to be out in the woods squirrel hunting I'd stick with just a 22LR. You won't damage the meat as bad if you happen to hit the body and you can still take a coyote at a reasonable distance. Especially, with a headshot.

I was squirrel hunting last season here in North Alabama and I noticed a coyote about 75 yards away. I stopped and watched him because he was walking right in my direction. When he got about 30 yards away I popped him in the head and that was the end of that coyote.

Have you ever thought about using a 22mag as a home defense weapon? You wouldn't have to worry about overpenatration.

Ohioyotecaller · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2003, 04:22:58 AM »

I coyote hunt in Ohio. I'll take the rifle. I use a 17 Mach IV chambered T/C Encore and in a week I'll add a 16" DPMS AR-15 (after calling 5 at one time last year once. Yes, I got one with the 17.).

My setups are in pastures and ag. fields. I attempt to call the yotes out of the woods to the edge of the fields. I don't want them to get within shotgun range of my setup for fear of educating them too much.

Theory...a coyote that comes to a cottontail distress sound, never gets very close to the ill-fated bunny, then hears a shot will forget about it over time. A coyote that comes to a cottontail distress sound, sees a small green box with a flashing light making the sound, smells human, and sees a silouette of a guy in a bush, and then a flash of light and a very close, very LOUD... BANG!!!!, won't forget it that easily.

In other words, I think there are varying levels of education when it comes to coyotes. If you call a coyote into shotgun range and somehow miss..you'll NEVER call him in again (unless he's REALLY REALLY DUMB). If you call three into shotgun range, you're left with one dead one and two VERY smart ones. Sure, they have to eat. But they will think more than twice about going into an open field to look for a dying bunny.

I think using a rifle and shooting them at longer ranges (greater than 75 yards), leaves the surviving coyote(s) wondering what happened rather than KNOWING what happened.

Just my $.02. Either way...good luck this season.

Thanksgiving AM 2002...called in 5, got 1...time for an AR.... :grin:

Robert · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2003, 07:04:10 AM »

And the picture is the proof in the pudding. A shotgun is for close work. Turkey loads (for Turkeys) with 4 shot are not very good outside 40 yds....50 is pushing it, I have taken 50 yd shots, but you better be ready to run in fast, because you might just have a winged bird. On the other hand a 'winged' coyote can travel real far, real fast and you might never see him again. This is OK......if you just want to dissuade them from coming in near your livestock, if he dosent die, he probably wont come back, but if you want to drop him a 22 mag works fine, a .223 is certainly better. A .22 Mag H.P. within 100 yds will completely explode a lung with a good shot. I have had freinds take them with a standard 22 long rifle, but that is a little light. Of course, the one freind that takes them with a 22, really hates them and relishes the thought of having them suffer, and 50% of the time they will. This could be a consideration...whichever way your thoughts are on animals suffering. Myself, I don't care much for them either, but I would rather put them down quickly.

varmit_master · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2003, 09:32:44 PM »

My buddy turkey hunting last spring killed 3 the longest shot was 58 yrds using a 3.5 Mag with Hevi Shot 5's killed it stone cold dead and the others ones was at 30 and 35 yrds the Hevi Shot one bad load on coyotes i have a Rem SP 10ga i use Fed copper plated BB's 2 1/4oz load i am waiting on a custom choke to use with the Hevi Shot BB's in my 10ga and i am going to that load and for a 100 yrds coyote gun the 22 mag will work good i use a 22 250 and a 223 but if i know there is alot of fox around and it is going to be under a 100 yrds or less i will carry the auto 22 mag rifle VM

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2003, 02:02:09 PM »

You all have some very stupid or young coyotes if your killing them under 50yds with out calling them in. In my opinion it takes a center fire to do the job at +50 yds. How many people sight in 22 mags at 100 yds? Just my .02 worth where I hunt the song dog we use a 22 to finish the job.
Jim