Coyotes and shotguns

[jakeman]

I wasn't aware of that. Thanks.

I guess I'll just stick with my Browning 1885 in 22 hornet.

I don’t believe that is correct. I believe the rule is #4 buckshot. Nothing larger is legal for coyotes, at least that was the law the last time I read it, which was a couple years ago.

#4 buckshot will drop one in a big damn hurry, but I don’t know about its effectiveness out past 50 yards though. It will damn sure put one down inside 50 yards.

 

[Shadowrider]

So back to the original topic, how many pellets on target do you consider sufficient for coyotes? Are my 50 yard targets indicating that 50 yards is too far, or is it still ok? any issues with penetration with thicker winter coats?

It looks to me that your pattern density would get the job done. The question is will birdshot penetrate to vitals? I'm skeptical. Totally agree on #4 buck, I'd not think twice about using it at 50 yards on a yote, but birdshot gives me pause.

 

[jakeman]

So back to the original topic, how many pellets on target do you consider sufficient for coyotes? Are my 50 yard targets indicating that 50 yards is too far, or is it still ok? any issues with penetration with thicker winter coats?

Just to be clear, are you using #4 birdshot or #4 buckshot?

#4 birdshot is not sufficient to kill a yote probably past 25-30 yards. I’ve seen bird dogs get hit with a pretty good load of 4’s pheasant hunting and they just keep on hunting. If you’re shooting at yotes past 40 yards with birdshot, I’d ask you to reconsider.

 

[HoLeChit]

Alright, Well while I am amply prepared for turkey season, I am woefully unprepared for coyotes, thanks to my terrible lack of reading comprehension of the regs. I had my doubts, but I kept reading other guys saying turkey loads and #4's were working, but I'm beginning to believe that most of the talk was #4 buck. Which makes more sense to me. Suggestions on finding some #4 buck around OKC? I don't think I have enough time to order some without paying ungodly amounts of money for rushed shipping.

 

[retrieverman]

So back to the original topic, how many pellets on target do you consider sufficient for coyotes? Are my 50 yard targets indicating that 50 yards is too far, or is it still ok? any issues with penetration with thicker winter coats?

It goes back to Master Carper’s thread about long range crow hunting. He’s using #2 shot to kill crows at long range, so I would think that same principle is going to apply for killing coyotes at a distance.

 

[HoLeChit]

It goes back to Master Carper’s thread about long range crow hunting. He’s using #2 shot to kill crows at long range, so I would think that same principle is going to apply for killing coyotes at a distance.

the weight carrying kinetic energy further idea, or the one or two pellets in the vitals is sufficient idea?

 

[retrieverman]

Alright, Well while I am amply prepared for turkey season, I am woefully unprepared for coyotes, thanks to my terrible lack of reading comprehension of the regs. I had my doubts, but I kept reading other guys saying turkey loads and #4's were working, but I'm beginning to believe that most of the talk was #4 buck. Which makes more sense to me. Suggestions on finding some #4 buck around OKC? I don't think I have enough time to order some without paying ungodly amounts of money for rushed shipping.

I don’t doubt that folks are killing coyotes with #4 shot but at what distance is the question. Probably not 50 yards.

 

[HoLeChit]

I don’t doubt that folks are killing coyotes with #4 shot but at what distance is the question. Probably not 50 yards.

I would like to be able to get out to 50. I don't need to be getting any more reach than that, just want something for close up stuff that just won't work well for my main rifle I'll be using.

 

[jakeman]

It goes back to Master Carper’s thread about long range crow hunting. He’s using #2 shot to kill crows at long range, so I would think that same principle is going to apply for killing coyotes at a distance.

Consider the source.

 

[retrieverman]

I’ve killed a bunch of deer with 00 buckshot, and I limit my shots to 30ish yards. I’m sure it will do the job at greater distances, but I don’t have faith it will do it efficiently. Personally, I would be less concerned about a coyote running off after being shot, but I still don’t want them to run off and suffer for a day or two.