Coyote hunting in Gig Harbor

[brakelate]

I have a coyote problem. I live in the Gig Harbor area (not in downtown) on some acreage. They are tearing up my property and are getting aggressive with my dog. I have found their dropping within 15 yds of my house  .

As best as I can tell my only legal options are to pay a licensed trapper or get an air rifle and shoot them on my own property after obtaining a small game license. Thoughts?

I do not yet own an air rifle. I am very much a novice. I see them on a daily basis and they routinely come within 50 yds of my home.

[smithkl42]

A modern air rifle is certainly enough to kill a coyote, if you're close enough, and with proper shot placement (basically, for a clean kill, you want a head shot). If you're hunting them for sport, it's maybe marginal ethically, but if they're giving you grief, I think you're well within your ethical limits. From the state's perspective, all you need is a hunting license, and you're good to go.

That said, I don't know what the rules are in Gig Harbor. Nearly all municipalities have ordinances against firearms inside city limits (including subsonic .22 rounds), but the status of air rifles can vary. You'll want to call your local PD, or perhaps better yet, check the law yourself, as lots of times cops aren't really up-to-speed on what the actual law is.

[smithkl42]

Actually, I spent a few minutes googling, and found this:

https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/GigHarbor/html/GigHarbor09/GigHarbor0920.html#9.20.020

Looks like you *could* use an air rifle (so long as you're not pointing it at anyone). You're not allowed to hunt, but you *are* allowed to remove nuisance animals:

"It shall be unlawful to hunt any animal by any means within the city limits. This prohibition does not apply to the removal of nuisance household animals, such as rodents and moles."

The key is whether a coyote which has been menacing your household falls into the category of a "nuisance household animal". I'm guessing you could make a good case, but you might want to check with the local PD anyway, to see if they'll have any problem with it.

[brakelate]

Actually, I spent a few minutes googling, and found this:

https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/GigHarbor/html/GigHarbor09/GigHarbor0920.html#9.20.020

Looks like you *could* use an air rifle (so long as you're not pointing it at anyone). You're not allowed to hunt, but you *are* allowed to remove nuisance animals:

"It shall be unlawful to hunt any animal by any means within the city limits. This prohibition does not apply to the removal of nuisance household animals, such as rodents and moles."

The key is whether a coyote which has been menacing your household falls into the category of a "nuisance household animal". I'm guessing you could make a good case, but you might want to check with the local PD anyway, to see if they'll have any problem with it.

Thanks for the link. I am well outside Gig Harbor proper city limits, but carry a Gig Harbor address. I will need to look more into that.

Ethically, yes I am a bit worried I would seriously injure the animal without eliminating it with an air rifle. 

[crowinghen]

use a bow?

[bobcat]

I'd probably use a 12 gauge shotgun. You're not in the city limits so their rules don't apply.

[brakelate]

I'd probably use a 12 gauge shotgun. You're not in the city limits so their rules don't apply.

I am in Pierce County. A traditional firearm is not an option.

[captpschar]

If you can wrap your head around the cost, there are big bore PCP air rifles that will kill coyotes without special trick-shots.

Examples: https://www.airgundepot.com/airforce-texan.html

These sorts of air rifles can make decent general hunting arms, and the suppressed versions are surprisingly quiet, to the point that animals and neighbors may not recognize the sound as anything dangerous.

[captpschar]

If you spent the money for a good setup and put the time in, you could probably put enough pressure on them that they'd stop coming around at all in short order.

[jtan881]

PM sent

[Stein]

use a bow?

 

Put a big fat expanding head on it and it shouldn't go far.

[brakelate]

If you can wrap your head around the cost, there are big bore PCP air rifles that will kill coyotes without special trick-shots.

Examples: https://www.airgundepot.com/airforce-texan.html

These sorts of air rifles can make decent general hunting arms, and the suppressed versions are surprisingly quiet, to the point that animals and neighbors may not recognize the sound as anything dangerous.

This is exactly what I was looking at.

Need to do more research but any reason to select a smaller caliber or just go straight to the 0.45?

[cdriver]

My .22 bolt action rifle with 750 fps rounds is more quiet than my .22 pellet rifle. It's amazing how quiet it is. Not sure how lethal either of them would be on a coyote. I usually use a 22-250 on coyotes, but not so much in the neighborhood! Would be good hunting this week with all this snow.

[konradcountry]

Just get a crossbow. Even a cheap one will put a much bigger hole in a yote.

They are easy to shoot and there is always a used one for sale somewhere.

[captpschar]

If you can wrap your head around the cost, there are big bore PCP air rifles that will kill coyotes without special trick-shots.

Examples: https://www.airgundepot.com/airforce-texan.html

These sorts of air rifles can make decent general hunting arms, and the suppressed versions are surprisingly quiet, to the point that animals and neighbors may not recognize the sound as anything dangerous.

This is exactly what I was looking at.

Need to do more research but any reason to select a smaller caliber or just go straight to the 0.45?

Take a look at the velocity tables here: https://www.airforceairguns.com/Articles.asp?ID=143#5

You can see that the smaller caliber projectiles can be a bit flatter shooting, but that the .45 is the killinest by a bit.  All the calibers will come out of the barrel at about low velocity handgun power levels, 45acp, 38 spl, things like that.  I'd probably go with the .45 if it was me.

[huntingfool7]

If you go with the Texan, pay the extra and go with the Texan SS.  A big airgun like that without a shrouded barrel is going to be much louder than you imagine.  Popping the valve on 3,000 psi makes noise.

ETA- Note the very first review mentions noise on the "moderated" Texan SS
  "Texan SS, It's the Bomb
I have been looking for a new hunting challenge and this year I found it, Big Bore airgun hunting in Texas. The problem was, I could find some big bore guns, but not the one I was looking for, the Texan SS in .45 caliber. To my surprise, the company rolled some out to the dealers and I immediately jumped on one. Granted, the season was almost over, but I quickly casted some slugs, sighted the gun in and set out on a pig adventure to the ranch. The first morning sit went great, pigs came in and I dropped one on the spot with a shot to the ear. The gun is a little loud and the pigs scattered, but didn't run far enough as I was able to load another slug and drop another at 50-yards."

Also need to consider safe fields of fire.  These are not daisy red riders.  I wouldn't shoot a .45 at 1,000 fps anywhere that I wouldn't shoot a 12 gauge.

[konradcountry]

$1200 to kill a coyote?

This is all you need:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/767241/barnett-recruit-recurve-crossbow-package

Recurves are great if you only need it for urban coyotes.

[jackelope]

You just need some vinegar and a clapper.




I don’t know where the legality comes into play if you kill one only because it was coming within 50 yards of your house. If it’s not menacing you or your pets or livestock and not doing crop damage, coming too close might not be enough. I know where I sit... just have to decide for yourself.

[hunter399]

This what you need .

[captpschar]

This what you need .

Could you imagine walking the woods and finding a trail of 50 caliber brass laying out there in a line?

[KB88]

Get a license and have fun and get creative. Hang hooks and bait from a tree like them alligator folks do.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Get a license and have fun and get creative. Hang hooks and bait from a tree like them alligator folks do.

Yeah that would probably get him some unwanted press when a coyote is hanging from a tree with hooks it it’s mouth howling.🤔

Or worse a neighborhood dog/cat.🤯

[KB88]

Fine soak some sponges in bacon grease

[Cougartail]

You just need some vinegar and a clapper.




I don’t know where the legality comes into play if you kill one only because it was coming within 50 yards of your house. If it’s not menacing you or your pets or livestock and not doing crop damage, coming too close might not be enough. I know where I sit... just have to decide for yourself.

I tried the clapper but my lights just kept turning on and off..