Varmints!

[jinman]

If you see lots of feathers on the ground, you probably had a coyote or fox. If the feathers are spread around and/or in trees, then consider a raccoon or maybe even a bobcat took one of your birds. Of course, the raccoons and bobcats are not limited if the birds are roosting in trees. At night, you also have to consider owls. If there is no trace of feathers, then an owl taking your Guineas is a real possibilty. Whatever it is will surely come back for seconds.:licking:

 

[MossflowerWoods]

If you see lots of feathers on the ground, you probably had a coyote or fox. If the feathers are spread around and/or in trees, then ...

Jinman - I had a circular pile in the trail (where a daughter left some corn) and 3 feet away another circular pile in some bushes.

I suspect coyote...

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Fiocchi 12ga 2-3/4" high velocity load: 1325fps.
Nickel-plated lead buckshot delivers excellent patterns and clean kills. Excellent Coyote loads. 10rds. per box.

DW,

THANK YOU!!!!!

What size buckshot?

:thumbsup:

 

[BandRRanch]

MossFlower:
If you can get them close enough for that shotgun. I use a 55grain Berger bullet out of my Ruger .22-250 M-77 varmit rifle. Burris Black Diamond 6x24 Mil-Dot scope. With the reloads, the Bergers scream at 3,000fps and I have been able to get less than 1/2" groups consistently. 200 yards plus isn't an issue.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

MossFlower:
If you can get them close enough for that shotgun. I use a 55grain Berger bullet out of my Ruger .22-250 M-77 varmit rifle. Burris Black Diamond 6x24 Mil-Dot scope. With the reloads, the Bergers scream at 3,000fps and I have been able to get less than 1/2" groups consistently. 200 yards plus isn't an issue.

B&R Ranch,

My property is so heavily forested that I can literally ONLY shoot farther than 100 yds in my back yard or on my driveway. Eventually if I shot across my pasture (once they are put in) I might have a 200 to 250 yard shot.

If I needed it I would just use my scoped Remington 770 30.06... I also have a 9mm side arm. I would like to add a .557 to my gun safe, or a 22-500 etc...

Shotgun or pistol is going to be my go to choice due to my landscape for the

forseeable future...

Be Well!

David

 

[DeeDubya]

DW,

THANK YOU!!!!!

What size buckshot?

:thumbsup:

I would go with 3 buck (in 12ga that's like getting hit with 14 22cal bullets at once).

Shot Size Pellet Diam Pellet Diam Number Of
AM/STD (Inches) (Millimeter) Pellets/Oz

000 Buck 0.3600 9.1440 6
00 Buck 0.3300 8.3820 8
0 Buck 0.3200 8.1280 9
1 Buck 0.3000 7.6200 11
2 Buck 0.2700 6.8580 15
3 Buck 0.2500 6.3500 19
4 Buck 0.2400 6.0960 21

 

[om21braz]

However, for years and to this day, wealthy NC fox hunters buy live coyotes for fox hound training within fenced pens. Several hurricanes ago, these coyotes escaped.

+1 I've heard that from several folks around here.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I would go with 3 buck (in 12ga that's like getting hit with 14 22cal bullets at once).

NIIIICCCEEE!!!!!!!

That Oughta Do it!!!! WOO HOO!

 

[RobertBrown]

DW,

THANK YOU!!!!!

What size buckshot?

:thumbsup:

I would use a 3" shell if your gun will chamber it. Look for #1 buck. My experience is you will have to take what is available.

If a shotgun is your only choice your best bet is at first light.
If you really want to hunt at night, I think your going to need some more range., a 223 or a .22 hornet
When those calls work they work real good. Be set up and ready before you start to call. If that coyote comes in and figures it out, you probably blew the only chance you had with that call in that place. Don't assume you know what direction he is comming from even if you locate him with a howler. He may circle and come in from any direction, so if there's 3 of you, try and keep a 360* lookout. If he doesn't show in 15 minutes of calling the chances of him showing are very slight.
You'll need several lights that will shine out over 200Yds. Look for one of these. The red lense is a must. Red light doesn't spoke them like white light does.
Optronics Varmint Hunting Light Nightblaster 250 Yard Gunlight Kit - MidwayUSA

I've had mine for 15years, still uses the same bulb. It's killed more hogs than Oscar Meyer!
I hook mine to 12V dc, 7amp hour gell cell that attaches to my belt.
Once you get one, your hooked

 

[DeeDubya]

When calling, pay utmost attention to wind direction and velocity. Coyotes will nearly always circle to the downwind side. Once they do, you will never see them again. A good steady (15mph or so) breeze is best because it 1) helps cover noise (like cocking your shotgun) and 2) your scent trail will be narrow. A vairable, shifting wind makes it difficult because your scent pattern may be as wide as 180 degrees.

Then again one night I was calling by myself (2 people back-to-back is best) sitting flat on my butt, peeking over some thick broomweed. I spotted his eyes about 100yds or so away. He had stopped and was sitting behind a small bush just watching. I switched calls (Burnham Bros mouth call) and he again became interested. I lost sight of him for a while and then all of a sudden he popped up over a small rise running full speed toward me. He started to circle to my right and I was having a hard time twisting around to the right while sitting with my shotgun shouldered. He broke through the weeds and I let go with #4 buck. I stood up a little shakey, took 8 steps and picked him up by his hind legs. I never weighed him but by the time I got home to show him to pops, my arm was hurting. Exciting stuff when you're 13.