Venture Surplus ad

Coyotes in DFW - Considering handgun protection

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • kbaxter60

    "Gig 'Em!"
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 23, 2019
    9,903
    96
    Pipe Creek
    I hunt, but if I don’t eat it I don’t kill it. The exception being fire ants. If I could push a button that would cause them to become extinct and cease to exist I’d do it and be glad I did. :)
    Push that button. Hold it down. Then duct tape it in the pushed position.
    Thanks.
    Texas SOT
     

    Joshua - Capitol Armory

    Active Member
    Industry Partner
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 10, 2015
    231
    11
    I skipped a lot of this, but let's rewind some. You won't really see coyotes often. Stray dogs perhaps, and *maybe* --- MAYBE a coyote.

    Coyotes don't attack people or dogs. They may screw with cats, rabbits, sick animals... but they're basically dogs in terms of behavior that are very scared of people and other animals. They rarely kill anything. They'll take wounded animals, eat dead things, and RARELY actually kill. They may go after a calf that was just born, or eat on a cow giving birth (in a very not so pleasant way). So for farmers and land owners, they can be a problem. If you get between a parent and pup, they can get aggressive. If they are starving or sick they can get weird... and they use roads as boundary markers.

    Bobcats--- you REALLY shouldn't see. They don't let you see them until they're absolutely ready for it. They're a difficult animal to hunt. They'll kill cats, small dogs, fawns, etc.... they ARE a predatory animal unlike coyotes. Bobcats are hunters and damn good ones. There's a much higher chance it was a house cat than a bobcat. I've killed 3 bobcats in the past year, and not seen a single one with the naked eye--- and only one of those three could you have seen. (Thermal. Two in tall grass stalking from a couple hundred yards out, one didn't know I was there and attached a raccoon.)

    Why that's important... if you're popping them while walking your dog, that's bad bad news. As in, you may as well shoot a deer that's standing in your neighbors drive way from the road while kids are getting on the school bus 10 feet away. There's a number of things that local LE could get you on, and the scary ones are what the wardens could do in terms of illegal hunting. So it has to be very clear self defense if they're getting shot off the road. In order to prove that, you're going to have to really know animal behavior and know how they operate. If you saw a bobcat, it wasn't going to attack you. If it was going to attack the dog, 99.9% chance you wouldn't have seen it until it did. If it was a coyote, it was probably extremely sick and then you have a case for shooting it due to a rabies threat. In that case, it probably had trouble walking, was out in the day, and didn't hear the best.

    WHAT gun is down the line... there's a bunch more to really understand before thinking on the choice of the gun. (Same in terms of self defense from 2 legged people... the "should I shoot" is more important than what tool to use.)

    Obviously I'm not opposed to popping them, as there's a bobcat mounted above half a shelf of large coyote and bobcat skulls in my living room. Just be careful, it's an easy thing to get hemmed up on.
     

    justashooter

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 21, 2013
    111
    11
    My two cents is wild animals are unpredictable so it is best to be prepared. Anyone that says making noise or saying scram will always work is ill informed. It is best to be prepared. I live in a much more rural area than the poster and never go out on my land without a side arm. I have coyotes, bobcats, hogs, and my personal "favorite" venomous snakes. What I carry is a Taurus Judge 3" barrel loaded with 410 shells with a #2-4 shot. Why? It is light and easy to carry. Being a revolver it never malfunctions. The 410 will scare most predators away, but if not the #2-4 load will severely impede their ability to attack. Also the 410 load is unlikely to cause you any problems with a round beyond the target which should be a consideration in a more urban environment. I chose the Judge/410 primarily because of the snake thing, but I think it is a good choice in the scenario of this thread.
     

    Joshua - Capitol Armory

    Active Member
    Industry Partner
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 10, 2015
    231
    11
    I also went back and read read, and my post touches on a lot of that wasn't even hinted at in the thread about their behavior. If you were referring to "coyotes don't attach people or dogs" as being wrong... it's not. Coyotes aren't going after healthy adults or healthy dogs. It's just not their behavior. There's a MUCH higher chance of a feral dog, cross breed, or just aggressive pet dog attacking. I'm sure squirrels have jumped on someone and bit them as well. As have rats, and all kinds of other animals. Point is, it's abnormal behavior for a healthy coyote to attack a person or someone walking their dog. Has it happened, sure... but it's not AT ALL normal. Coyotes are yippy little dogs scared of people, they aren't blood thirsty jogger killers.

    If you're referring to the last couple of sentences in the post about having a bunch of skulls and the mounted bobcat... the cats get mounted because I respect them as apex predators. They're amazing animals. The coyotes are similar, I respect them. They also get shot because the population in some places is all kinds of screwed up. The bobcats ate all the turkey, killed fawns, and killed the neighbors exotics. (The babies). The coyotes screw with the newborn calves. They were overpopulated.

    If it was the VERY last, yes, it's easy to get arrested for. Be it discharge of a firearm, be it animal cruelty (you shot someones pet shepherd puppy), be it hunting from a road way, hunting without a license, poaching, there's all sorts of stuff you could get charged for if you just shot at a 'bobcat' because you were walking the dog and were 'scared.' You can't just go around a populated area shooting animals because you don't know how they behave and think nature is going to attack you.

    I'll stress it again, think about "should I shoot" not "what tool." A person jogging could run over and beat you up, sure. Carry a gun, be aware of your surroundings, but because another person is out jogging doesn't mean you should shoot them and say they were going to attack you. Same with animals in a populated area.
     

    BillFairbanks

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 8, 2017
    1,626
    96
    Johnson County, TX
    I also went back and read read, and my post touches on a lot of that wasn't even hinted at in the thread about their behavior. If you were referring to "coyotes don't attach people or dogs" as being wrong... it's not. Coyotes aren't going after healthy adults or healthy dogs. It's just not their behavior. There's a MUCH higher chance of a feral dog, cross breed, or just aggressive pet dog attacking. I'm sure squirrels have jumped on someone and bit them as well. As have rats, and all kinds of other animals. Point is, it's abnormal behavior for a healthy coyote to attack a person or someone walking their dog. Has it happened, sure... but it's not AT ALL normal. Coyotes are yippy little dogs scared of people, they aren't blood thirsty jogger killers.

    If you're referring to the last couple of sentences in the post about having a bunch of skulls and the mounted bobcat... the cats get mounted because I respect them as apex predators. They're amazing animals. The coyotes are similar, I respect them. They also get shot because the population in some places is all kinds of screwed up. The bobcats ate all the turkey, killed fawns, and killed the neighbors exotics. (The babies). The coyotes screw with the newborn calves. They were overpopulated.

    If it was the VERY last, yes, it's easy to get arrested for. Be it discharge of a firearm, be it animal cruelty (you shot someones pet shepherd puppy), be it hunting from a road way, hunting without a license, poaching, there's all sorts of stuff you could get charged for if you just shot at a 'bobcat' because you were walking the dog and were 'scared.' You can't just go around a populated area shooting animals because you don't know how they behave and think nature is going to attack you.

    I'll stress it again, think about "should I shoot" not "what tool." A person jogging could run over and beat you up, sure. Carry a gun, be aware of your surroundings, but because another person is out jogging doesn't mean you should shoot them and say they were going to attack you. Same with animals in a populated area.

    http://www.fox4news.com/news/coyote-attacks-2-more-joggers-in-frisco


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Joshua - Capitol Armory

    Active Member
    Industry Partner
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 10, 2015
    231
    11
    https://www.foxnews.com/story/water-intoxication-man-35-dies-after-drinking-too-much-water

    Weird abnormal things happen all the time man... there's always some sort of strange one-off situation. Because a coyote is attacking people doesn't mean coyotes as a species attack people. Humans don't eat their own biological waste products, but someone out there probably does.

    I would bet anything that coyote is either sick, was raised in captivity to be aggressive, or something else really strange is wrong.

    For every one example of a coyote attacking someone without being provoked, I bet there's FAR more attacks from 2 legged people. I bet there's a TREMENDOUS amount more people attacked by dogs, even dogs that didn't seem aggressive at first.
     

    USOffRoad

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 18, 2014
    24
    11
    Granbury, Texas
    The only time I've had coyotes come after me was when they were rabid...twice. I've spent many years hunting them and being in open country, typically they are headed the other way.

    But... if you want to carry then might as well carry a 9 or whatever, .22 will be plenty loud so you aren't saving many decibels if that is your criteria. My EDCs are Sig 365, Springfield XDS 45, Taurus G2 9mm. The Sig is my primary but I really dig my cheap ol G2 (yeah, it has a trigger, SS striker housing and rod/spring).... anyway. The Sig with the standard 10 rd mag is super light and a small package and will pack much more of a punch than let's say.. my Walther P22.

    And yeah, you will need your license to carry outside of the home so when you crack off a round you don't find yourself in jail.

    Or hell.. a 3 iron works well too... I had to use one many years ago while walking down the street when someone's psycho Dobie (I like Dobermans) came after me.. hated to do it but he wanted my ass and he was a big boy that wouldn't give up.
     

    dsgrey

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Oct 25, 2015
    1,873
    96
    Denton County

    Yes and oddly enough, very close to the Frisco Gun Club. Like most animals they stalked from behind though most joggers were unaware of being stalked. Car horns and such scared them away. I live close by but after living 20+ years in a rural area full of coyotes and bobcats, I'm more concerned about the two-legged animals more likely to do me more harm than a coyote. I drive through that area (El Dorado and Preston) a few times a week to see one of my kids. Many cows out there they didn't seem to bother but all the attacks stopped once summer came.
     

    candcallen

    Crotchety, Snarky, Truthful. You'll get over it.
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Jul 23, 2011
    21,358
    96
    Little Elm

    I will add I see coyotes at least weekly where I live. I've seen more Bobcats in 10 years here than 45 hunting elsewhere. I dont exactly live in the country.

    There are dozens of stories about coyotes stalking kids, stalking and circling people, taking pets from yards and even off leashes in addition to the one linked to above. In the grand scheme of time and population it doesnt happen everyday but to dismiss it is folly.

    Be aware and be prepared. That includes not assuming it cant happen.
     

    avvidclif

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Aug 30, 2017
    5,794
    96
    Van Zandt County
    The statement that coyotes don't attack humans or dogs is pure unadulterated BS. Now if you had said "Don't normally" I would agree but a blanket statement don't cut it.
     

    Mr.candrews

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Aug 21, 2019
    30
    11
    Rowlett
    I live in the Rowlett area and I have seen them multiple times near the new homes being built in my subdivision and in the forested areas that are being cut down for new homes. I honestly would use what you have available. They can get pretty relaxed and come into your backyards for your pets at times. I've also lived in other areas where they have been spotted more regularly i have shot at them only when they got to close to my little children or pets.

    I used my trusty Ruger S10/22 tactical and it scared them off.
     

    txinvestigator

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 28, 2008
    14,204
    96
    Ft Worth, TX
    I also went back and read read, and my post touches on a lot of that wasn't even hinted at in the thread about their behavior. If you were referring to "coyotes don't attach people or dogs" as being wrong... it's not. Coyotes aren't going after healthy adults or healthy dogs.


    Time to stop reading again.

    You are wrong. Coyotes hospitalized a woman in Frisco. She was very healthy. They bit several, healthy people. In my neighborhood in N. Ft Worth they have snagged pets. I saw a video of a coyote jump a fence into a yard.

    Your statements contradict fact
     

    Mr.candrews

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Aug 21, 2019
    30
    11
    Rowlett
    The statement that coyotes don't attack humans or dogs is pure unadulterated BS. Now if you had said "Don't normally" I would agree but a blanket statement don't cut it.

    You are correct they "don't normally" doesn't mean it doesn't happen more and more as we take more and more of the land they used to hunt on.
     

    alias

    Active Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 10, 2012
    220
    26
    spicewood, tx.
    Not trying to be an ass but unless you have a yappy leg humper that you allow off the leash, you have about a 99.5% better chance of being attacked by a pitbull running loose or a homeless person than any of those wild creatures you described.

    If you lived in bear country in Alaska you may have a valid concern.
     

    mongoose

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,289
    96
    nm
    I carry due to two legged vermin. I have never had a Yote or Bobcat or Fox that wouldn’t run from me or my dogs. Carry a mag full of CCI vermin shot ( aim for the butt, not the eyes ) for the critters and a mag of SD ammo for the more dangerous 2 legged vermin.
     

    Sublime

    Active Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 24, 2019
    768
    76
    Dallas
    Not trying to be an ass but unless you have a yappy leg humper that you allow off the leash, you have about a 99.5% better chance of being attacked by a pitbull running loose or a homeless person than any of those wild creatures you described.

    If you lived in bear country in Alaska you may have a valid concern.
    Dude, I just read this to my female pittie I walk off leash every night, she was offended. You triggered her.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     

    popper

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 23, 2013
    2,999
    96
    a 3 iron works well Much less obnoxious and easier to handle. Or walking stick with a point! Yup 'pet' dogs are the worst. Did see a bobcat walk up the drive and jump over the fence. In suburb of DFW!
     
    Top Bottom