Handgun for coyotes?

ShakyHands

New member
Looking for suggestions on sidearm suitable for taking care of aggressive coyotes.

My dog, German Shorthair has been again attacked by coyotes this morning and on two other occasions just within the last 30 days during our usual early morning hike.

I was thinking about using .22lr revolver as it is not as loud as 9mm and the foothills/trails where we go are close to a residential area.

BTW if I have to shoot the coyotes, it would be in the 50-100 feet range as they are not afraid to come close when chasing my dog.
 
Last edited:
I have and carry a SR22, but any Browning High power would work well for what you are talking about. It would be lighter and thinner for you, and semi auto.

I would suggest that you get your dog a training collar with an audible beep, and train it to come on that beep. No matter how distracted. Then when the coyotes show up, you hit that beep, and if they get to close they are easy to shoot, and your dog is out of the firing lane. If you get that far, you might as well start using the dog as a decoy and go all in on predator hunting.
 
Originally Posted By: Tbone-AZI have and carry a SR22, but any Browning High power would work well for what you are talking about. It would be lighter and thinner for you, and semi auto.

I would suggest that you get your dog a training collar with an audible beep, and train it to come on that beep. No matter how distracted. Then when the coyotes show up, you hit that beep, and if they get to close they are easy to shoot, and your dog is out of the firing lane. If you get that far, you might as well start using the dog as a decoy and go all in on predator hunting.

Thanks for the suggestion. BTW I do have Garmin Alpha GPS collar on her and she is trained to come on beep or on "come".

The issue is, that I don't see her at all times as she is roaming through the sagebrush etc, but the GPS is very helpful to keep my eyes on her.
 
Originally Posted By: Rock Knocker5.7 was my first thought also.


thumbup.gif
Awesome, super accurate hand gun with muzzle speed to spare!
 
i have shot 3 coyotes with a 6" .357 revolver. i had 5.7 i was not very accurate with it. i would use the .22mag revolver. or what ever handgun gives you the best groups at 25-50 yards.
 
I carry a Ruger LC9S Pro for personal protection. And if a Coyote were to get too close I'd think it would take care of the coyote.

Now when I go coyote hunting I'll be carrying either my AR15 or a Remington Model 660 in 222 Caliber. Both these will take out a coyote for sure.

A 22LR would sure get the coyote's attention but a 9 mm is more versatile. There are other things out in the woods and field that you may need a bigger bullet than just a 22LR.

IN is starting to get a very small population of Black Bears crossing over into Northern IN from Michigan and across the Ohio River from KY. And some people have been reporting sightings of big cats in IN lately.

I got to thinking that I might need a pistol to protect myself just in case a big cat (cougar) were to pounce on me while I was hunting alone in the woods. So I purchased a Walther's PPQ to use for hunting protection, target shooting and maybe as a personal protection handgun. I use it mostly for target shooting since I got the smaller Ruger LC9S Pro.
 
I carry a Smith and Wesson M&P Pro 4.25" barrel 9mm on all my hunts. 22LR is quieter but you never know what, OR WHO, you may encounter!
 
Use whatever handgun you can shoot proficiently from a defensive aspect. A .22lr would be my last choice but if that's what you have then use it.
 
Pocket pistols aren't typically the most shootable handguns, so as much as I enjoy the Ruger LCP, if you're thinking 100ft shots, please be very realistic about what you're capable of managing with a super short pistol. Maybe you're not too worried about a quick kill, rather only looking for a deterrent, but if you want to put coyotes in the dirt, a 380acp pocket pistol may not be the best option.

A Ruger SP101 327 federal mag is a great option.
 
Thanks guys for the suggestions!

Just a few notes.

When I go hunting/hiking, I always carry 44mag on my hip as I live in Idaho where bears, lions, wolfs and other predatory creatures are roaming freely.

This question was specific to my usual morning dog walk in the foothills of my town, and there are other people on the trails as well.

BTW this morning I almost had a heart attack when my dog run out of the bushes being chased by a (friendly) German Sheppard. Luckily, the dogs were just playing but I was ready to test those CCI mini-mags that I loaded inside the 6" 22.lr S&W 617.
 
If I were out walking with the dog in the wilderness or open country I would want a bigger caliber on my side just in case some big cat or bear were to show up. A 357 or 44 Magnum would be what I would want on my side. Something with stopping power.

Earlier I was thinking more about personal protection and what I would carry out shopping or doing errands and would be eaily concealed.

But if I'm out hunting I would not worry about concealing the weapon but instead want to have very quick access to a bigger hand gun with more stopping power in your situation. So a good belt that would fit over my clothing and carry a good holster with a heavy caliber hand gun.

Maybe a 9 mm would work but I'd feel much safer if there were big bears around or a big cat around carrying a bigger handgun.

When I'm out hunting for coyotes at night I carry a fully loaded AR15 and the Walther PPQ M2 Pistol with 17 round magazines loaded with 9 mm FMJ 115 or 124 grain bullets.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top