Goat Deterrent - Shotgun, Airgun, Slingshot, ???

jinman · Dec 18, 2010

As others have pointed out, goats are absolute knuckleheads. What can you do to them that will hurt more than the damage they do to each other by butting and goring with their horns? Short of killing them, they will move away and then come back. We had a worthless donkey who decided the goats were there for him to abuse and take out his frustrations on. He'd bite them on the neck and pick them up, flinging them around and to the ground. They'd go away and in a few days come around him again for more and more. If we had not separated the goats, he would have killed them because they would not stay away. The only memory they seem to have is where and when they get fed. Nothing but death is stronger than a goats determination to find food. A good fence and constant attention to its repair is the only deterrent beyond the sales lot or the freezer.

schmism · Dec 18, 2010

paintball gun.

reasonably accurate over a decent distance. relatively inexpensive, non-lethal and has the added benefit that it provides a visual note of who the offenders are.

mojoinco · Dec 18, 2010

Fond memories of goats. But -- you want the goat out, need a fence. If you choose to electrify it, you need to keep the ground along the fence line somewhat green (ok, wet). If you don't, the goats will not get much of a shock, if any. Brings up its own issues of maintenance (weed eating so the wire doesn't get shorted out). But it may not take doing very often to get there attention.

Is Kalifornia an open range state? Local animal control can tell you that. Colorado is an open range state, meaning that the legal onus would be on you to keep them out of you place.

I would refrain from using a bb or pellet gun on them, as Kalifornia long ago determined they were 'fire' arms. Could get real legal on you real quick. I like the additional use of a paint ball gun with clear balls (but they are fairly smart and will eventually learn to run when they see you).

You could also hobble the goats, which should get your neighbors rile up when he has to come get them. Yeap, I think it's all on him in the first place (presuming it is not an open range state).

And Caldwell, I like your style!

chucko · Dec 20, 2010

Not that I am suggesting this at all but

I had a neighbor with a goat that was a problem.
After talking till I was blue in the face I caught the goat in my garden.
I drug it by the horns and knocked on their front door.
She opened the door yelling at me "what the $%^^ do you want now?"
I just let the goat go as I said "Nothing"
It saw the open door and ran right in the house

BAHAHAhaHA that was funny (for me anyhow)

riptides · Dec 20, 2010

I have the same problem with my neighbours fowl. Some have even been road-kill (not by me). They just don't get it.

Travelover · Dec 20, 2010

chucko said:
..............
I just let the goat go as I said "Nothing"
It saw the open door and ran right in the house

BAHAHAhaHA that was funny (for me anyhow)

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Car Doc · Dec 20, 2010

As much as I love animals I sure do hate animal owners sometimes and if they wont keep them in well....

We had 6 goats over 2-3 times a week destroying my trees crapping all over the place and generally scaring my customers off for awhile and after numerous calls to police and animal control the owner was still un-swayed to fix the problem.

I asked the police about what if I just shot them and had a mexican bbq they said that could be considered cruelty to animals unless I was forced to protect myself or my property or my animals as in catching one on top of a car which they love to do or chasing me or my cat or a customer another thing billie goats love to do.

I was told also that if I caught them and fed them for a few days they would be considered MY animals and I could then take them to the sale barn and get rid of them. This was probably the best solution but I am no cowboy and not good with a rope.

I started out with rock salt in place of shot in dove load cases @ about 15-20 yds so as not to do permanent harm and then 1/2 salt 1/2 8 shot and ended up with 12ga straight 8's that took care of it they stayed out after that after dusting their rears with 100% shot that's what it took and honestly it hurt me too I hate harming any animal if I can avoid it.

wedge40 · Dec 20, 2010

I'd buy big freezer, find a butcher and start filling the freezer with goats.

Ok seriously.
The electric fence will be about the same cost as a good gun. But the paint ball idea sounds like fun too. I have problems with arrogant bicyclists and have dreamed of using a paint ball gun on some of these guys.