Feral Cats

[2cycle]

This year, it seems like we've had a bumper crop of them here. Had one come up on the grill while I was doing some kabobs. I batted it away. And got clawed and maybe bit, it looks like a bite mark.

I've been popping them with the crosman, pumped just a few times. In hope that they would go away The wife don't like me shootin anything we're not going to eat. So she frowns on me killin cats.

Question is. CCI Mini Mags, or hollow points?

OK, I'm finished with my rant.

Greg

 

[pne123]

ok, they do not taste as bad as you think. get 'em young so the are not to tough. not much meat on those little "wings" but there is many ways to skin a cat.

I recommend cci sub-sonic hollow point 22lr. Does not have the sonic crack. Sounds more like a really good high powered pellet gun.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...oint-subsonic/

 

[yard dog]

Another option is to use the shells you have now, but add a short term silencer to the barrel. You can take a nipple for a baby's bottle and slip it over the end of the barrel. If you are using iron sights, cut a notch big enough to see down the barrel. It's only good for a few shots, but it wont effect the accuracy.

Also, if ya plan on smokin em, I'd suggest a robust rub and the 3-2-1 method

 

[pne123]

that works on bolt actions but if it is semi-auto you still get a sonic crack out the chamber. If you are using a scope a 1 litter coke bottle w/ the bottom cut off slipped over the muzzle works well also. a little insulation stuffed in it helps also.

 

[meandmytwodogs]

The silencer options probably work, but why have evidence around of your potential crime? I lived in an area where we had a ton of feral cats running around. A litter was born under the neighbors back porch and the stupid F%$#^&* kept coming into my yard under the fence. It only took a week before my dogs shook the life out of six of them. Keep your hands clean. Let the dogs do the work.

Dave

 

[richtee]

Hmm was not aware of these! PERFECT! I usually use my Gamo .22 air rifle for chipmunks and squirrels, but feral cats will require a bit more. I also have a bit of a 'possum and skunk issue here- these shells sound like the answer!

 

[1894]

In addition to seconding the sub-sonics , and SSS

Get that bite / scratch checked out by a DR . Cats can carry some really nasty stuff that will mess you up if left unattended .
Hope someone else can provide more of what to look for regarding that bite.

 

[waysideranch]

Tell her its fun and legal. Well fun anyway.

 

[1894]

Rich , I've had good results with these subsonics including several big woodchucks . Good penetration , so, make sure of your back stop

http://www.remington.com/products/am...22_rimfire.asp

 

[goat]

Catch them in a live trap and then pop them.

 

[2cycle]

I aint worried about the sound, this is SC and fireworks are legal here. Besides, this is in the country. I've got a Sheriden Silver Streak, and it makes more noise pumping it up than it does shooting. And got some others that bark over here, and bite waaaay over yonder, but I aint gonna waste any high dollar ammo on vermin.

I've checked our states hunting regs. And couldn't find anything about season, size, bag limit, or baiting. So I guess I'm legal.

Our dog is gettin to be an old man. so he's only good for close range.

The scratch/bite i got was scrubbed with bleach right after it happened. And there is no sign of infection or soreness, so I guess I'll live through it.

Greg

 

[flyin'illini]

I plan to show this thread to my wife next time I want to pop a squirrel or bluejay off the bird feeder with a pellet gun here in suburbs!

 

[nitrousinfected]

Dont play with the cat scratches. ( Can already hear a Nugent joke coming here ) I had Cat Scratch disease once, was blind for 2 1/2 weeks. This is not something to screw around with. I myself prefer to err on the side of good judgment, if its legal and noise isnt an issue. 12 gauge with some good hi brass varmit loads will cure your problem. Sure 22lr will work, but sometimes dead isnt quite dead enough.

NO IT IS NOT THE SAME AS CAT SCRATCH FEVER LOL

 

[jfoust]

.22LR will work perfectly for those critters. I use it on squirrels in the feeder all the time. Can't get much cheaper than a box of 500+ rounds at Wal-Mart for $8 or whatever they're going for these days!

 

[lcruzen]

Don't send a boy to do a mans job. .308 Winchester.

 

[jimr]

I'm guessing that the cat that came up to you was someones "Tabby" that they no longer wanted and just conveniently dropped off in your "neighborhood", because a true feral cat won't get close to you on purpose. Also they smell just about as bad as a skunk. I found this out by leg-hold trapping one and believe me I'm glad the trap held because that cat had "nasty" written all over his face. I'm sure a 12 to 15 lb. tommy could do some serious damage in a short while. I live in a "dump area" for unwanted cats and have found that the 22 lr works just great for distances inside 75 yards. After that it's .270 time. People don't understand that when they dump their unwanted pets like that it's not only hard or fatal to the cat, but if they survive they are hard on the song bird population and the bunny population. If hares are going to perish, it's going to be from being run by my beagle and "harvested" by ME. My wife didn't care for me "eliminating" the problem but it's gotten to where she just says "I don't want to know" when the gun comes out of the safe. She's learning..........

 

[chrome]

Since some of ya'all brought up the fun and inexpensive .22
check out this site for yet another inexpensive hobby (that can and will become very expensive over time, kinda like Q)...

www.rimfirecentral.com

There are many references to sub-sonic rounds. they are almost as quiet as an air rifle, but are a bit more lethal on small vermin.

 

[stacks]

Two weeks ago the wife found a feral Kitten (about 10 weeks old) under the hood of her car. Just a kitten right? She went to grab the thing and it bit through her finger!

The DR wouldn't stitch it and close in any potential bacteria or infection. Had to capture the cat and keep it for ten days to watch for rabbies or distemper. $70 for a cage $10 for a flea and tick pill (the thing was covered with em). After a few days without the ticks and fleas the kitten became quite friendly and I couldn't bring myself to give it a bulletectomy. Found a home for it Tuesday.

Have that bite / scratch checked and hang on to the cat if you can. It will save you in the long run. Our DR said if we killed it prematurely and the wife gets sick we would have to send the cats head in to get anylized to determine treatment for her. BIG $$$

 

[richtee]

Heh... well, there are other considerations, Icruz. .22 HP's mostly self destruct upon impact, and have a much lower velocity and energy- reducing the ricochet problem. Plus, they typically won't bring out the local SWAT team for us that live in civilization ;{)

Not saying that a good 3" mortar salute won't either tho heh.

 

[mavrick813]

I have a Crossman .22 Co2 handgun with alot of accuracy. My father was having trouble with a family of gophers in his yard and they've been exterminated. With the Accuracy of this thing head shots are easy inside of 50 yards. The sounds is practically nill. And from what your saying these things like to get pretty close.

BTW Pop lived a about 1/10th of a mile from the PD and no one came asking what was going on.