will my 17hmr do the trick?

You guys think shooting yotes with a hmr is bad, there are a few threads at RFC where a couple of bears were taken as well as a 110lb goat in Australia, lots of feral hogs, too. It's surprising what some "sportsmen" will try!
 
Im aiming for the neck. If its windy I dont go coyote hunting and if its not within at least 75 to 100 yards im not taking the shot. If you hit them in the neck, they wont go to far. I have seen the same thing you are talking about with animals being wounded. Ive saw deer that has been gut shot several days before I saw it. Ive even saw a yearling deer dragging a small size steel trap that wasnt fastened down good. If I never get a shot on a coyote that im not comfortable with knowing that I cant kill him quickly, I wont take it. Thats why I am aiming for the neck and try to call him in as close as possible.
 
I'm not sure I understand why a certain caliber is used, when the outcome is in such doubt. The Hummer is a wonderful caliber, but like every other caliber, it doesn't do it all. We all agree that we hate losing or wounding an animal, to die a slow agonizing death, so why not use a caliber that is proven on whatever game your after. Some say they have stopped coyotes in their tracks with the HMR. Many have said they have lost them with seemingly good placement. A number of folks have lost fox, with the hmr, too. This just adds up to inconsistancy, thus a poor choice in taking a gamble, or experimenting on animals. The HMR was never intended for coyote. It was intended for small varmints and paper.
 
Pecci:

Good post and pretty well covers the issue.

nc_deerhunter:

If I understand you better now, I should aim for the neck and the HMR will work. Should I wait for the coyote rutting season - on a calm day -so his neck will be bigger than his head, so I can't possibly miss a small aiming point?

Or, would I be better off like Pecci suggested with a caliber that will give me confidence -before the shot - that if the coyote moves slightly or if I don't do my job perfectly even inside 100 yards, that I will give myself and the coyote every reason possible to still expect a clean kill?

I have hunted coyotes with a 17 Remington and other larger calibers for years. I bought my 17 HMR when they first came out. I love the accuracy, lack of recoil, and all the other reasons folks like the 17 HMR.

However, I can compare it with other 17 caliber cartridges which I own, and it is definitely on the bottom of the "17 caliber food chain" for anything but small animals. Comparing it to any of the 17 caliber CF cartridges used for coyotes is like comparing a fire cracker to a hand grenade.

I don't take a shot at a coyote either "that I'm not comfortable with knowing that I can kill him quickly". That's why I've never considered taking my 17 HMR coyote hunting - out of respect for the coyote. - BCB
 
Im in the same boat as mn--17hmr. The gun was a gift to me and its either hunt them with with it or my 7 mm mag. And I think I can kill a coyote with it. It might have to be under certain conditons and all but I think I can kill a coyote with the 17HMR. I agree that it might not be the best choice for coyotes but I also think it can be done quickly and cleanly. Thanks for all the interesting discussions about the 17HMR everyone. And I hope to do it again soon. Happy Hunting!!
 
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