coyotes

[wheelhorse]

I was out walking my dogs after dark today, I back up to the National Forest here in Virginia, and heard my first pack of coyotes singing away. Watching my old SAR dog chase two bear cubs up a tree and a rattle snake on my porch wasn't enough to make me consider a gun, but I don't feel safe walking the dogs after dark now without a gun. But, I am a city girl that has moved to the country and not handy with a gun.

I know I need to get to a range and take some lessons, but any suggestions on what kind of gun/pistol I should consider? Something in pink maybe?

[archer66]

Coyotes are scared to death of people and are not a threat in my part of the country....have you heard something to make you think they might attack you? Now....they WILL attack a dog especially if the dog is alone and especially if female coyotes are in heat. Is your concern more because of your dog or just a general fear of coyotes?

some more thoughts on edit:::

We have coyotes EVERYWHERE around here...I hear them in the woods across the road from my house every night....I see and hear them at all of my deer hunting spots and often they are between me and my truck as it gets dark while I'm in my deer stand. I simply climb down and walk to the truck without a care in the world....they get out of my way.

However I don't leave my pup out in the yard at night unattended....wouldn't want to risk him....and a pack of coyotes can take down a BIG domestic dog no problem.

[Quackwacker]

we are eat up with yotes here in Ga. We hear them more nights than we dont. Never had a problem with them messing with my dogs, but they stay in the kennel or close to the porch. They are fawn and turkey killers though!

[wheelhorse]

wouldn't want to risk him....and a pack of coyotes can take down a BIG domestic dog no problem.

That's just it, I don't want to risk my dogs just to take them on a walk after dark. Hence, my questions about what gun/pistol I should carry.

[EdA]

http://www.taurususa.com/video-theJudge.cfm

No one firearm suits all circumstances, check out The Judge, revolver that handles .410 and .45, kicks like a mule with .410 but very effective at close range, just don't shoot your own dogs. Go to the gun range and practice, practice, practice!

[Jennifer Henion]

They are everywhere here in Northern California, too. I walk my two goldens in cow pastures and wild life areas and see them often. They are well fed with rabbits and birds and rats and mice. If you have rabbits and other rodents around, they likely wouldn't be desperate enough to attach your dogs while you are with them.

Still, doesn't hurt to have a gun. I bought a Benelli Ultra Light 20 ga shot gun. It is lighter than most shotguns and has less recoil than a 12 ga. Don't think they come in pink, though

[Bill Watson]

Being a sound sleeper and partially deaf I rarely hear them when I am sleeping during the night. Cleo, on the other hand, is a light sleeper and can hear everything that goes on around the house at night. I am made aware that something has disturbed her sleep when she steps out on the back porch and lets a round go from her 870 12 guage. Then the only sound we may hear is the phone ringing, "Cleo, what the Hell are you shooting at?" from our next door neighbor (1/4 mile away). Thankfully we have strange neighbors who are a whole lot like us. The coyotes shut up or leave, but it gets quiet once again. Bill

[archer66]

Being a sound sleeper and partially deaf I rarely hear them when I am sleeping during the night. Cleo, on the other hand, is a light sleeper and can hear everything that goes on around the house at night. I am made aware that something has disturbed her sleep when she steps out on the back porch and lets a round go from her 870 12 guage. Then the only sound we may hear is the phone ringing, "Cleo, what the Hell are you shooting at?" from our next door neighbor (1/4 mile away). Thankfully we have strange neighbors who are a whole lot like us. The coyotes shut up or leave, but it gets quiet once again. Bill

I thought Cleo was a dog until she started shooting......

[WRL]

We have lots of them around here. I don't like them. They will think nothing of luring a dog off and killing it.

Everyone always says they will leave people alone. Around here they are pretty bold and will stand and look at you.

Oh yeah, and a pack of coyotes killed that folk singer in Canada last year.

http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-29/e...?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ

WRL

[M&K's Retrievers]

I prefer a .44 Mag. I don't like to chase cripples.