Pest Control,

camo · May-09-23 19:05

Just wondering, does anyone use their mini for pest control? I range in size from snakes to coyotes, not counting deer.

top dog · May-10-23 06:05

In my humble opinion,I think that the 22 magnum may be pretty good on very small critters but can get kind of iffy when I comes to coyotes. Yes,many coyotes are taken with a 22 magnum in a rifle but I don't know about out of a mini.

The CCI snake rounds I guess would be OK for rodents but in my one experience with a rattlesnake showed the snake shot to be ineffective. The last two chamers were loaded with HP rounds and one (very lucky) head shot ended the incident. The distance was about 4 feet.

I am sure that there are other members in the forum that had better results

Top Dog

camo · May-10-23 16:05

I didn't mean to sound like I shot coyotes with my mini. Although I have seen them when all I had on me was my B/W. But the .22 rifle has been my go to since I was a kid. Always had .22 in gun rack on UTV when checking on cows and fixing fences. No problems using it for coyotes. I know it may sound backwards, but I never have a problem hitting critters like raccoons, foxes and coyotes. I don't have long shots. I miss more squirrels than anything. The 410 shotgun has replaced my .22 rifle mostly nowadays. Now most times it's my B/W on my side and the 410 close by. The thing is, they both close range guns. I can't see to shoot much further now. A coyote in B/W range is not good.

camo · May-10-23 17:05

top dog, I meant to add Im kinda on the fence about the snake shot also. The smaller rattlesnakes, I think it does fine, but the 4-5 footers, one shot don't usually do it. But now, it's harder for me to get as close to that 5 footer. You can see by looking at my targets, Im not the best handgun shooter around. Id still rather have the 410.

top dog · May-11-23 07:05

CAMO,
I agree with you. I think that the 410 would be better I think that the 22lr/Mag shot is iffy at best and you increase your chances by going 38 spl and higher.

About 40 years ago,a company came out with a single shot shotgun with an abbreviated stock called the Snake Charmer in 410. You could pretty much fire it single handedly and it had a storage compartment in the stock for extra shells. I don't know if it is still made today.

Top Dog

Wumbey Goomba · May-11-23 09:05

Rossi makes a knock off of the Snake Charmer.

camo · May-11-23 18:05

I have a Rossi single shot.Its the Turkey model with the 26" barrel. Has screw in interchangeable chokes. Still only weighs little over 4 lbs. I love it with the XF choke installed.

bearcatter · May-12-23 08:05

Hopefully nobody will ever need this -

top dog · May-12-23 08:05

Bearcatter,
Very good instructions. But.......what!!! No booze??? I thought that was snake bite medicine??

Top Dog

OLD and GRUMPY · May-12-23 10:05

NO BOOZE?!

But it does not say to go to the DR or ER? So go to the DR. I can recommend several. Dr Smirnoff if you are bit by a eastern rattler. Dr Jim Beam if a cotton mouth. If in the south west? I keep him on call. Dr Jose Cuervo. If it's a small snake he will recommend his Gold tonic. If large his Silver tonic. If bit by a Sea Snake see Dr Caption Morgan.

OV-1D · May-12-23 13:05

Old and Grumpy you just named the only four bottles of liquor I have and own sitting on the top of my refrigerator . Thats spooky !!!!

OLD and GRUMPY · May-12-23 16:05

DRs. Never sick until you go to them. SPOOKY ain't it! Haven't been to a real DR in 30 years?

top dog · May-13-23 06:05

O&G,
Smart move. My son's wife's grandmother some years ago went to the hospital for eye surgery. It was the first time she was in a hospital for 105 yrs.

She attributed her longevity for the lack of seeing doctors.

You can send a rock to the hospital and they will find something wrong with it.

Top Dog

OV-1D · May-13-23 06:05

Top Dog only until a sizable bill is rung up especially if Medicare is concerned .

bearcatter · May-13-23 11:05

Quote from: OLD and GRUMPY on May-12-23 16:05
DRs. Never sick until you go to them. SPOOKY ain't it! Haven't been to a real DR in 30 years?

I haven't seen one in at least that long, except very basic work physicals. Listen to my heart, check sugar and blood pressure. My BP has been on the high side my entire life.

bluecow · May-13-23 17:05

Quote from: camo on May-10-23 17:05
top dog, I meant to add Im kinda on the fence about the snake shot also. The smaller rattlesnakes, I think it does fine, but the 4-5 footers, one shot don't usually do it. But now, it's harder for me to get as close to that 5 footer. You can see by looking at my targets, Im not the best handgun shooter around. Id still rather have the 410.

I love my mini, coons, skunks, and what not, but when it comes to snakes, little green garden snakes and up, I'm partial to a modified choak, 12G pump, with #7 1/2. 6's&5's aren't too bad either.

Canoeal · May-13-23 20:05

Snake bite in the Carribean; Captain Morgans...

Rick_Jorgenson · May-18-23 09:05

Quote from: camo on May-10-23 16:05
I didn't mean to sound like I shot coyotes with my mini. Although I have seen them when all I had on me was my B/W. But the .22 rifle has been my go to since I was a kid. Always had .22 in gun rack on UTV when checking on cows and fixing fences. No problems using it for coyotes. I know it may sound backwards, but I never have a problem hitting critters like raccoons, foxes and coyotes. I don't have long shots. I miss more squirrels than anything. The 410 shotgun has replaced my .22 rifle mostly nowadays. Now most times it's my B/W on my side and the 410 close by. The thing is, they both close range guns. I can't see to shoot much further now. A coyote in B/W range is not good.

I have a friend that lives in a rural part of Phoenix that has a confirmed kill of a coyote (trying to get in the chicken coop) at 30 feet with a Pug (head shot)

He was a US Navy Sharp Shooter. He was the sniper that hangs out of a Navy helicopter window during ship boardings/inspections in the days of the Somali Pirate raids. He has some stories!

OV-1D · May-19-23 06:05

Sure would like to hear some of those stories .

camo · May-19-23 08:05

Rick, I can believe about anything that happens when you have chickens. I don't have any kind of livestock or farm animals anymore. I only help daughter/SIL with cows now. But chickens, everything out there wants a chicken or eggs. Cows, it's mostly coyotes and dogs gone bad. Chickens, you name it: snakes,opossums, raccoons, fox, coyotes, hawks and the bad dogs. 24/7 job with chickens.

top dog · May-20-23 07:05

CAMO
You're right there.

It seems that everything whether it be fur,fin or fowl seems to be on the prowl for chicks,chickens or eggs.

Years ago,my father in law saw a Timber Rattlesnake slither up a tree,go into a bird's nest and suck the eggs.

Top Dog

Armybrat · May-20-23 16:05

Quote from: Canoeal on May-13-23 20:05
Snake bite in the Carribean; Captain Morgans...

Nope
Pussers

camo · May-20-23 18:05

One time as a kid, when picking up eggs, I reached up above my head and a chicken snake was in the nest with an egg in its mouth. My Grandmama had that happen a few times. She let me get the eggs I could see after that.

top dog · May-21-23 06:05

Camo,
Gosh! I bet that was an eye opener!!! Going out to the chicken coop can be full of experiences for sure!!

Top Dog