Coyote bait

[lizzyhermit]

The wife is very attached to her three small dogs and we always take 'em camping with us. Out here in the desert the wildlife is becoming less cautious of humans and scoring on small pets (and sometimes even bothering children).



We are seriously considering a handgun for the RV as a deterent or remedy. We have both shot before (both ex-swabbies) but have not had any handguns in years while we had children in the house.



Do any of you have handgun recommendations that could comfortably be used by a small woman ?

 

[Grunt]

I suggest looking into getting a 38 revolver for the bigger varmits, but a 22 semi auto should suffice for most situations. Get a good quality one.

 

[tractorface]

Coyotes gotta eat to

Why would you shoot a Coyote. Just keep a close eye on the dogs. Its sad that people want to kill anything that does not cooperate the way they would like. I am not yelling at you I just wish people especially RV'ers and hikers etc. would learn to live with mother nature instead of try and control her. After all that is what being an outdoosman is all about.

Sorry for picking on you.

 

[GBaines]

Ahiking stick and bear spray are effective enough to deter coyotes. They are so quick that if they get a small dog they will be gone before you can get a safe shot at them, and are likely to hit your dog too. Best to just be careful in the evening , night and early morning when they are likely to be out. Most dangerous time for small dogs is when you let them out just before going to bed, keep your dogs close or on a leash at this time when you think they are arround. I have lived with coyotes in Baja Calif. and my dogs for more than 30 years and have had very few problems

 

[lizzyhermit]

tractorface, I'm not going hunting and I do agree with you to a point. Out this way we are getting coyotes and other animals actually prowling the city streets not just "out in the desert". My post asked about deterents, as in noise, shock value first but a remedy if it happened to be my grandchildren.



I have lived, hiked and camped in this desert too for over 20 years but things are definetly getting worse, especially with the draught out here.

 

[tractorface]

I understand

Glad you were not offended by my post. Sounds like you are a good stewart of the land. All bets are off when kids are at stake.



I do not live out your way (yet) so I should keep my nose out anyway, I just love the American desert and plan to move before too long. The drought is amazing and it has to let up soon. More than likely you'll be underwater for a few years to make up for it, and that might be worse. Funny how it works that way.

Good Luck

 

[Scot]

Russian or East German Makarov in 9mm Mak. Cheap short range weapon that appears to be quite reliable and well made. I own(ed) 2. Dad got the first and the wife got the second.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

If you're going to get a handgun take a safety course even if it's not required, have your wife take it too. Buy a quality firearm and it will last forever and hold its value some.



As for coyotes, I say shoot em all! They are becoming quite common in lots of areas and they are raising havoc on the deer population, have you ever seen the aftermath of a coyote pack - deer kill? It's not pretty. If I'm in the woods hunting deer or partridge and see a coyote I will shoot it, I apologize if that doesn't fit into your ideals but it fits mine and it's perfectly legal. Honestly I have sat and just watched the coyotes in my field catching mice and other critters and not even thought about killing them but if there is a gun already in my hands and a coyote in front of me it's lights out. I by no means intend this to offend anyone, just tossing in my 2 cents, don't forget that training.

 

[Buffalo]

Lizzyhermit, I understand and share Your concern for wanting to be able to protect yourself, family and pets especially while camping. Back in the early 1990's, I took a number of shooting classes (defensive revolver) through the United States Marksmanship Academy, here in the Phoenix area. I thought the classes were excellent! The weapon of choice, at that time, was a Smith&Wesson, Model 66, 4" barrel, Stainless Steel. I have found this weapon, over the years, to be very accurate and reliable. You can use 38's or 357 magnums. Automatics can carry a lot more firepower (ammunition) but, are more complicated to operate. Auto's have a magazine (clip) which holds the ammo. You have to remember, Did I rack one into the chamber? Do I have the safety on or off? In a "stressful situation", do You want to have to remember a series of procedures to have a charged, ready to fire, weapon. If you are very familiar with Your auto, it won't be much of a problem. With a revolver you're either loaded or not. Loaded, it's ready to fire. Open the cylinder, unload, and it's safe. Hope this helps. Joe F. Be careful, out in the desert. You have to worry about people, also! I know from experience. Having a holstered weapon can difuse a potentially hazardous situation. Remember, the police aren't out there to back you up. You are on Your own! I wouldn't be "scared to death" to go out into the desert or woods but, it sure is comforting knowing that you can protect yourself.

 

[plongson]

Well this is my take on the handgun/coyote issue. As you see from my sig. I live in Nevada. Two weeks ago we were out near Gabbs. This area is REALLY in the boonies. I always carry (. 45 ACP) just in case of the unexpected. It was a nice warm Nevada evening and the doors and windows to the trailer were wide open. Who should decide to invite himself in... . Mr. Coyote. This dog actually started to come inside the trailer. Needless to say, it startled the crap out of me. I leaped up and hollered and shouted, waved my arms to no avail. This dog was not going to leave us alone, AND he was not scared. I take no pleasure in saying that one well-placed shot from 25 yds. dropped him like a bag of *****.



Every situation is different and you are the one that has to make the call. I will not sacrifice the safety of my family or property to man or beast. That is just the way it is. Like the old saying goes "I would rather be tryed by twelve instead of carried by six".



I don't go looking to kill critters for the thrill (although varmit hunting use to be alot of fun). I am a sportsman, hunter and a member of the NRA. I try to eat what I kill, fish, fowl, or whatever. I DO NOT cast aspersions on others with a different point of view.



Get your handgun; learn to use it proficiently and wisely. As for Mr. Coyote, He had the chance; he just made the wrong choice.

 

[Butch Brandt]

One really nice thing about a . 38 (or . 357) is the availability of shot shells. No doubt they will kill at close range, but also give you the option of "stinging" and thereby running off a critter.



I'm not advocating wounding anything just for fun, but when you are protecting life and property I see no problem.



Obviously some people haven't spent much time in coyote country. As they become more habituated they become more dangerous. Protecting you and yours is my idea of the right thing to do.

 

[KBennett]

I always have a handgun nearby while camping. You should see the damage a bear did to our camper last year just for a can of peaches

We were not home at the time.

Usually I carry a . 45 on the hip and keep a shotgun in the corner with 00 buckshot. There are a lot of dirt bikers and quad riders up where we camp and most of them are pretty good people but you never know.



My reccomendation would be to get something in 9mm(minimal), . 357 mag(you can practice with . 38's), or 45ACP(my wife's favorite). If possible go try before you buy. A lot of the gun ranges rent guns. Once you find something take it out and practice, practice, practice. The more familiar you are with a gun, the safer you will be with handling and shooting.

 

[ndurbin]

Every situation is different and you are the one that has to make the call. I will not sacrifice the safety of my family or property to man or beast. That is just the way it is. Like the old saying goes "I would rather be tryed twelve instead of carried by six".



I don't go looking to kill critters for the thrill (although varmit hunting use to be alot of fun). I am a sportsman, hunter and a member of the NRA. I try to eat what I kill, fish, fowl, or whatever. I DO NOT cast aspersions on others with a different point of view.



Get your handgun; learn to use it proficiently and wisely. As for Mr. Coyote, He had the chance; he just made the wrong choice.

I agree with plongson on this.

 

[ata]

Lizzyhermit, I bought my wife three different hand guns before we found one she really liked and would shoot. It's a ROSSI, Interarms in 32 S&W Long. It's a wheel gun with a 4 inch barrel. The recoil is not harsh and the frame is small so it's a good gun for a woman. It's not a S&W 38 but it will do the job on a Coyote out to 20 yards or more.

 

[rlittle]

We get the critters all the time where I live in the city of Phoenix. They come into the backyard and look in the windows at our cats, cat on one side of the window critter on the other. The cat knows they can not get them so they just look at each other. You also see them walking down the streets during the day shopping for dogs and cats that are left out or are on a lease walking the you. They are quick as hell and will grab a dog or cat and be gone in a heartbeat so there is little you can do unless you carry you pet.

When out in the desert I have found the best way to keep them away is to fire a load of bird shot over their heads from a small pocket size 22 I carry when we are camping. I load three shots of bird shots then follow that with stingers that will take them out if the bird shot does not get them to run. So far the bird shot has done the job. It is also good if you run into a snake.

Rollie

 

[SHobbs]

Lizzyhermit, I have a . 380 semi-auto made by Bersa. Very affordable at $200. I have put many rounds through it with no problems. I keep hollow points in all my guns. If you choose to go the harmless route get a . 22 and use what is called rat shot. It does not kill just stings the skin unless you are at close range. This gun is a little bigger than a . 38 hammerless revolver. It even fits in the palm of my hand. My g-friend has no problems using it, in fact she loves it. It fits perfectly in the palm of her hand. However she does not like my . 40 Glock, . 270 Browning or my . 50 muzzle loader. I have not got her to try my bow yet. I agree with a handgun safety course and a trigger lock if you have small childeren. Arizona has a right to carry law, you and your wife should apply and get one. You never know when you will need it these days. I never leave the house with out my handgun. Good luck in your search.

 

[Nordby]

First off, be careful replying here. Everything on the computer lives forever, and 2nd amendment rights have been under attack for long enough that folks need to consider a response here as a form of registration. My 2 cents, but I've been a database guy for 10 years and a nerd for 15, and know where the tapes are..... :^(



That said, I've already put myself on lists many times, so I'll speak up. I leave in a meadow that is 5 acres away from PIke National Forest West of Monument, Co. I spend time some portion of every other day on the trails in the woods near me, on horses, bikes, and walking. Growth is a huge issue around here, and the trails are seeing a corresponding (and then some) surge of use. We've seen aggressive bears, mountain lines, and coyotes. Lately, with a huge amount of rain on the front rain (drought still in CO, but not so much here), mice are up. Coyotes are up huge, and they are aggressive.



I was on a young horse, ponying another young one, with a 90lb dog and 40lb dog, and had them run at me 5 times, tackle a dog, and come back after I urged a horse on to chase them a bit (face dogs, and run at them, coyote or not, horse or bike, confront and chase them). We've also lost 2 cats that made it through 8 years here, then within 3 weeks the Coyotes figured something out.



I realize I signed up for wildlife here, and would never shoot anything within those parameters. I have no kids, so my dogs/horses/cats are a sad bit too much in that role, but I still realize the order of things that are important, and what I signed up for living here. However, I also know the difference between a coyote that got my cat, vs one that tackled my dog with me yelling and charging on TWO horses. The latter is going to approach families and kids. It may be our doing moving or hiking or otherwise encroaching, but what is done is done and some aggresive coyotes, lions and bears must go.



For an auto, a Kimber . 45 is what I carry (bike - some of you may never look at a biker's camelback the same!). Go Kimber for high quality auto, but go . 38 revolver, or a touch less if ya need, for what your wife is comfortable. Don't even consider it without training, and practice to keep your training an safety skills up to date. Take IPSC courses, get certified, and shoot a few matches. If no time for training, get a noisemaker of some sort. The local farmers keep coyotes out of melon fields, etc. , with timed bird-bomb type stuff.



sorry for the long reply,

jon.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I would ditto the bear spray and shot shells for either a S&W 357 or 44 Mag. Do not store the pepper spray in hot places. In fact they make foam filled jars for safe storage. I know a couple of hilarious pepper spray stories :-laf

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Get 2 guns - one that fits you, and one that fits your wife, then you will both be ready for predators, be it the 2 legged or 4 legged kind.



If you are willing to practice with them fairly regularly, then the type of pistol isn't too big of an issue (ie revolver vs auto).



Most important is how the pistol fits your hand. Get one that is comfortable and you will never look back. If you have a friend with several different pistols or a range that will let you try before you buy, then by all means try them out to see what you and your wife like.



If you really enjoy shooting the pistol, then look into shooting a USPSA (IPSC) or an IDPA match - they are a hoot - and also as addictive (and expensive) as BOMBing your truck.



And by all means, please teach your children how to be safe around firearms.

 

[TSpecht]

Practice is key whatever you get, as the others have said...



I would recommend against anything in the . 22-. 32 range. I'd probably use a . 38/. 357 revolver, 9mm or . 45acp with decent hollowpoint ammo. Make sure to put enough rounds of it down range to have a reasonable idea if it's going to be reliable in that particular weapon.



In addition to whatever pistol you choose I would keep a shotgun or a rifle within convenient reach, since even the best pistol is a pretty big compromise in terms of power and effectiveness. There's a pretty good chance you'll never need it but my view on such matters is "it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it... "



It can't hurt to consider less lethal options as well... Perhaps some OC/pepper/mace spray (check legalities of such items before buying in any location you happen to want to pass through) and a sturdy hiking stick would be good options as well as the pistol. The firearm shouldn't necessarily be the first option, and the situation will need to be evaluated rapidly. If there's no time to try a less lethal option by all means use the firearms... The biggest thing you need to be concerned about is your safety and that of those with you, with all other things being second to that.



Make sure to teach anyone who will be around the firearms proper handling/safety and demand that such things be followed. The other thing would be to make sure to follow all applicable laws and regulations for the areas you're at.