Feral cat hunting

hogan · January 19, 2008, 10:12 AM

As you probably all heard, they tried to legalize feral cat hunting in the state of Wisconsin. Well the lefties won over, so now we just hunt them using the SSS method.
Shoot, Shovel, Shutup.
I will make an attempt at attaching a photo of one of our feral cat hunts

Art Eatman · January 19, 2008, 10:26 AM

There was an article in (I vaguely recall) "Sports Afield", some ten years back. It referenced a study done by the Wisconsin bug'n'bunny agency, using a bunch of wildlife biology grad students.

Conclusions: One feral cat will kill as many as 100 songbirds a year. Estimate: As many as a million feral cats in the state of Wisconsin.

You do the math.

Also, it was stated that at one time the state REQUIRED hunters to shoot any feral cat that was seen. They were smarter, back then...

NOTE: We're not talking about Persian Fluffy in town, in the house, in your lap. "Feral". Look it up.

Art

EHCRain10 · January 19, 2008, 01:36 PM

what would you use for feral cats?
ive got quite a few wild ones that live near my house and i doubt that you could get them to provide a still target.
Shotguns? varmint rifles?

hogan · January 19, 2008, 01:51 PM

I've heeeeaaaard that the Ruger 883SS in 22magnum is just the ticket. But what do I know, this is just what I have heard. So take it for what it is worth, I have no experience with feral cats.

Art Eatman · January 19, 2008, 02:33 PM

Whatever's handy will work on Feral Felines. Running? Shotguns are good. My old Model 12 30" full choke is extra-full with modern plastic shot-holders, so high-brass 7-1/2s are good to 35 yards or so.

A .243 is sorta ruinacious...

Art

hogdogs · January 19, 2008, 04:15 PM

Here in Florida they are are classified as "invasive predatory specie" and we are encouraged to kill them. I hold a Nuisance Wildlife Permit and can actually charge for the "service" if I desire.
Weapon of choice is .22lr, .22mag, .17hmr, 20 gauge shotgun loaded with #6 or #4. But a .30-30 or even a .300WM is fun as well!
Brent

steveno · January 19, 2008, 05:04 PM

use of a shovel is a sign of guilt.

crowbeaner · January 19, 2008, 06:33 PM

I've had to thin the resident feral feline population before. My favorite is the Rem 511 and an old El Paso K4 Weaver. Sighted dead on at 25 and right between the eyes. I've also used the .222,.22-250 and a 12 with high base heavy field loads of #5. The time I see a cat hunting in the field I watch closely to see if it belongs to the owner (collar) or not. Bang, flops for a minute and back to the hunt. I don't mention it; not worth the time to explain; and if I have to explain they wouldn't understand anyway. CB.

StuMan · January 19, 2008, 06:42 PM

Up here we can shoot them no problem. 22WMR is nice for the job but not very exciting. 25WSSM is cool

45Marlin carbine · January 19, 2008, 06:58 PM

on a still shot a .22LR hi-velocity will do the job with good placement (i.e. in the ear) moving or in brush a 12 ga. w/high-brass 5's or even 4's. a 20 ga. likewise will do. I have a Burris 3X9 glass on my AMT. I use ripe sardines to lure them in. they come a'running.

bcarver · January 19, 2008, 11:19 PM

I use a .44 special silvertip in a nef Handi-rifle 44mag with a silencer. That way I don't wake the neighbors.

hogan · January 20, 2008, 08:27 AM

Still say the 22wmr is the "cats meow"
Anything bigger and you are just going to ruin the pelt

azsixshooter · January 20, 2008, 11:22 AM

.17 HMR should do fine for some long shots. I'd use the CCI TNT rounds in 17 grain.

YukonKid · January 24, 2008, 10:15 PM

any .22 calibur round would work fine. But i think i would prefure a shotgun.

skeeter1 · January 24, 2008, 11:45 PM

We aren't supposed to shoot feral cats around here (yet), but all you need is a .22LR. I've had many housecats over the years, and they're not particularly tough critters.

T-Bear · January 25, 2008, 01:50 AM

What's up with all the big calibers. All you need is CCI CB Short 29gr. There sub-sonic and very very quite when shot out of a rifle, My K-22 sounds like a cap-gun. All you need is 1 shot to the head, and They fall on the spot.

10-96 · January 25, 2008, 03:17 AM

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool powder burner myself... but what about those proclaimed 1000fps air rifles? I would think they would do the trick to clean out the critters' ears pretty well. (?)

hogdogs · January 25, 2008, 01:26 PM

If was pretty sure all my shots would be under 50 yards I would only take the Gamo Shadow 1,000 .177. But for shots out to the 100 yard mark we need the .22LR or for fun the 20ga slug!
Brent

Buzzcook · January 25, 2008, 08:33 PM

What to hunt feral cats with.

http://www.buckstix.com/CoehornMortarHunt.htm

hogan · January 25, 2008, 08:42 PM

Yup, that would get em.

StuMan · January 25, 2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

We aren't supposed to shoot feral cats around here (yet), but all you need is a .22LR. I've had many housecats over the years, and they're not particularly tough critters.

The stock on my Remington 810 target master would argue that

Wayward_Son · January 25, 2008, 09:30 PM

I understand the problems feral cats pose, but I'm also a lifetime cat owner. I sincerely hope that anyone hunting feral cats is making sure you're actually culling feral cats and not killing somebody's pet.

StuMan · January 25, 2008, 09:34 PM

I always check there tags to see if they are in season

Wayward_Son · January 25, 2008, 09:35 PM

Yeah, not funny. Not to me, anyway.

VUPDblue · January 25, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcarver

I use a .44 special silvertip in a nef Handi-rifle 44mag with a silencer. That way I don't wake the neighbors.

What can are you using on that NEF?

January 19, 2008, 10:12 AM	#1
hogan Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Posts: 39	Feral cat hunting As you probably all heard, they tried to legalize feral cat hunting in the state of Wisconsin. Well the lefties won over, so now we just hunt them using the SSS method. Shoot, Shovel, Shutup. I will make an attempt at attaching a photo of one of our feral cat hunts

January 19, 2008, 06:33 PM	#8
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I've had to thin the resident feral feline population before. My favorite is the Rem 511 and an old El Paso K4 Weaver. Sighted dead on at 25 and right between the eyes. I've also used the .222,.22-250 and a 12 with high base heavy field loads of #5. The time I see a cat hunting in the field I watch closely to see if it belongs to the owner (collar) or not. Bang, flops for a minute and back to the hunt. I don't mention it; not worth the time to explain; and if I have to explain they wouldn't understand anyway. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

January 19, 2008, 11:19 PM	#11
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	gun choice I use a .44 special silvertip in a nef Handi-rifle 44mag with a silencer. That way I don't wake the neighbors.

January 20, 2008, 11:22 AM	#13
azsixshooter Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Location: Pinckney, MI Posts: 657	.17 HMR should do fine for some long shots. I'd use the CCI TNT rounds in 17 grain. __________________ "Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, Chief. We're evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction wherever we go. I'm surprised you didn't know that." --Saul Tigh http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2...s-no-more.html

January 24, 2008, 10:15 PM	#14
YukonKid Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: NW Posts: 744	any .22 calibur round would work fine. But i think i would prefure a shotgun. __________________ This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill Fifteen percent concentrated power of will Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!

January 19, 2008, 10:26 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	There was an article in (I vaguely recall) "Sports Afield", some ten years back. It referenced a study done by the Wisconsin bug'n'bunny agency, using a bunch of wildlife biology grad students. Conclusions: One feral cat will kill as many as 100 songbirds a year. Estimate: As many as a million feral cats in the state of Wisconsin. You do the math. Also, it was stated that at one time the state REQUIRED hunters to shoot any feral cat that was seen. They were smarter, back then... NOTE: We're not talking about Persian Fluffy in town, in the house, in your lap. "Feral". Look it up. Art

January 19, 2008, 01:36 PM	#3
EHCRain10 Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Posts: 57	what would you use for feral cats? ive got quite a few wild ones that live near my house and i doubt that you could get them to provide a still target. Shotguns? varmint rifles?

January 19, 2008, 01:51 PM	#4
hogan Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Posts: 39	I've heeeeaaaard that the Ruger 883SS in 22magnum is just the ticket. But what do I know, this is just what I have heard. So take it for what it is worth, I have no experience with feral cats.

January 19, 2008, 02:33 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Whatever's handy will work on Feral Felines. Running? Shotguns are good. My old Model 12 30" full choke is extra-full with modern plastic shot-holders, so high-brass 7-1/2s are good to 35 yards or so. A .243 is sorta ruinacious... Art

January 19, 2008, 04:15 PM	#6
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Here in Florida they are are classified as "invasive predatory specie" and we are encouraged to kill them. I hold a Nuisance Wildlife Permit and can actually charge for the "service" if I desire. Weapon of choice is .22lr, .22mag, .17hmr, 20 gauge shotgun loaded with #6 or #4. But a .30-30 or even a .300WM is fun as well! Brent

January 19, 2008, 05:04 PM	#7
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	use of a shovel is a sign of guilt.

January 19, 2008, 06:42 PM	#9
StuMan Member Join Date: June 26, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 65	Up here we can shoot them no problem. 22WMR is nice for the job but not very exciting. 25WSSM is cool

January 19, 2008, 06:58 PM	#10
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	on a still shot a .22LR hi-velocity will do the job with good placement (i.e. in the ear) moving or in brush a 12 ga. w/high-brass 5's or even 4's. a 20 ga. likewise will do. I have a Burris 3X9 glass on my AMT. I use ripe sardines to lure them in. they come a'running.

January 20, 2008, 08:27 AM	#12
hogan Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Posts: 39	Still say the 22wmr is the "cats meow" Anything bigger and you are just going to ruin the pelt

January 24, 2008, 11:45 PM	#15
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	We aren't supposed to shoot feral cats around here (yet), but all you need is a .22LR. I've had many housecats over the years, and they're not particularly tough critters.

January 25, 2008, 01:50 AM	#16
T-Bear Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 119	What's up with all the big calibers. All you need is CCI CB Short 29gr. There sub-sonic and very very quite when shot out of a rifle, My K-22 sounds like a cap-gun. All you need is 1 shot to the head, and They fall on the spot. Last edited by T-Bear; January 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM.

January 25, 2008, 03:17 AM	#17
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	I'm a dyed-in-the-wool powder burner myself... but what about those proclaimed 1000fps air rifles? I would think they would do the trick to clean out the critters' ears pretty well. (?) __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

January 25, 2008, 01:26 PM	#18
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	If was pretty sure all my shots would be under 50 yards I would only take the Gamo Shadow 1,000 .177. But for shots out to the 100 yard mark we need the .22LR or for fun the 20ga slug! Brent

January 25, 2008, 08:33 PM	#19
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	What to hunt feral cats with. http://www.buckstix.com/CoehornMortarHunt.htm

January 25, 2008, 08:42 PM	#20
hogan Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Posts: 39	Yup, that would get em.

January 25, 2008, 09:30 PM	#22
Wayward_Son Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 406	I understand the problems feral cats pose, but I'm also a lifetime cat owner. I sincerely hope that anyone hunting feral cats is making sure you're actually culling feral cats and not killing somebody's pet.

January 25, 2008, 09:34 PM	#23
StuMan Member Join Date: June 26, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 65	I always check there tags to see if they are in season

January 25, 2008, 09:35 PM	#24
Wayward_Son Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 406	Yeah, not funny. Not to me, anyway.

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