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Any thoughts on caliber, load, crossbow, fireworks, or techniques would be appreciated.


- Dave
4.5 acre woodland pond constructed Feb 2011
- began fill Aug 25 - full pool Nov 18
- fish stocked Oct 25: 1200 Shellcracker; 3800 bluegill bream; 500 channel catfish
May 2012: 500 LMB May 2012; 50 "permitted" sterile grass carp.


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Kiko:

I don't think just one will be the perfect one. There are times where a trap is better suited to critter removal than a firearm. It all depends on what type of critter and where the pond is located.

Distance from you to the critter, other houses in the area, backstop, time that the critter is out, fur or feathers, etc., all play a part in your choice.

Some critters are on the Federally Protected list and need a permit to control. Others need the the State's blessing. There is the SSS method, but if seen, you could get into a LOT of trouble.

I've used:
Conibear 110, 220 and 330 traps
.177 scoped air rifle
.17 MachII
.17 HMR
.22 LR
.223
12 ga shotgun

The air rifle and firearms could be used as lethal or non-lethal methods. For non-lethal methods, you can use fishing line or an electric fence.


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Does anyone here have experience with 410 guage revolvers? I would think that for certain nuisance animal control, raccoon, skunk, opossom, muskrat, etc. As poor a shot as I am this might be better than a .22, .17, or .177 pellet.


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Have you thought about using a shotgun Bing?

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410 is a shotgun shell in a revolver (although they do make 410 slugs)..

Last edited by Bluegillerkiller; 02/17/12 09:33 AM.

I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease..

BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.

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I don't have a lot of issues with varmints. But, I agree with Scott about using traps for many. I have three sizes of live traps. A .22 then finishes the job when a live trap is used. Conibears are very effective, especially for the very difficult to shoot critters like muskrats and mink.


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Fortunately, I don't have many issues with critters either. Muskrats are the most problematic for me, and I prefer a conibear #110 for that chore.

However, there are times when a picnic table, a glass of sweet tea, and a liberal application of the following has its merits.




"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"

If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1)
And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1)
Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT?
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Originally Posted By: jludwig
Have you thought about using a shotgun Bing?


Yes, but when fishing in the boat, (muskrats, water moccasins) or walking in the woods, mushroom hunting, etc., (skunks) a .410 pistol would be much easier to carry.

Last edited by Bing; 02/17/12 10:11 AM.
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They make pistols (5 shot) and derringers (2 shot) that will shoot 410 shells (from bird shot to slugs) and also shoot 45 colt ammo. Some will shoot 3 inch 410 and 45 long colt others standard 410 and 45 colt. Not that it would be my choice but it would be a very good one.

The most effective and dangerous weapon is a creative human mind.



Last edited by ewest; 02/17/12 10:56 AM.















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Taurus makes some popular ones:

The Judge/The Public Defender

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If I was looking to buy a multi-purpose revolver (birdshot and solid projectiles) I'd go wtih the Judge with the longest barrel that I could comfortably carry.


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Thanks Essup, Ewest and NCMike. That is the feedback I was looking for. Obviously, since I admit I am not as accurate a shooter as I once was, the reason is to spread the shot in order to get a kill, rather than needing to make a more accurate hit.


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I have been a witness many times to a scene where a raccoon was shot out of the top of a tree, crashed into a multitude of branches on the way down, impacted the ground with a tremendous thud, only to get up and durn near whip the dogs that were waiting on it at the bottom of the tree.

If I were using a scattershot pistol to try and dispatch one, I believe I would need to be in very close proximity to it. Far closer than I would be comfortable with, were it not in a cage.

Snakes on the other hand, would probably be an ideal use for such a weapon, as long as they were nearby.


"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"

If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1)
And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1)
Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT?
PB answer: It depends.
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Fred, take a look at the Snake Charmer.


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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A .410 revolver is still of interest to me, but I did go out and buy ammo for my S&W .38 "Chief's Special". One thing of interest on the .410 is that although the reviews are very good they seem to spread out pretty fast after 12 - 15 feet. That would be alright for some applications but I don't think I want to lure a skunk that close. Also, my muskrats are generally a little beyond that pattern. not sure what the killing power is 25 feet plus out.


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I concur with your decision Bing. I just think that using a .410 pistol on a raccoon/skunk/muskrat would be akin to taking down a mountain lion with a swiss army knife. Sure, it might be possible, but I don't want to be the guy who has to get close enough to find out.


"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"

If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1)
And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1)
Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT?
PB answer: It depends.
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Critter, is that the technical term for, um, what?

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Originally Posted By: Sniper
Critter, is that the technical term for, um, what?


Around here, it's anything that you don't know the name of, and it's being a PITA. Usually a mammal, but it could be a reptile. Not usually a bird.

There's been cases of it being an insect too, but then you'e better have that .410 pistol with ya! grin

Regarding "birdshot" in pistol cases or .410 shells. The usual shot size in brass cased ammo is #12 shot, which is VERY fine. I doubt that it'd kill a sparrow at 15 feet. You can get all sizes of shot in a .410 shell, even buckshot. The larger the pellet size, the further away it will keep it's energy. Sort of like standing 20' away from someone and them throwing a handful of sand at you vs. a handful of 1/2" dia gravel.

Oh, and the pattern from the birdshot when shot from a pistol will disperse quicker (larger pattern) than from a shotgun because of the rifling in the barrel. It gets the wad/shot rotating and it spreads out due to that rotation.

I have a spreader choke tube for my shotgun for VERY close clay targets when shooting sporting clays. I wouldn't try to use it past 10 Yds. The choke tube is cylinder bore and rifled.........

Last edited by esshup; 02/17/12 06:53 PM. Reason: rifling

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That's all fine, but actually birdshot spreads out less than you would think in modern loads. Having said that, find yourself a firearm and learn how to use it. Then you will have discovered the "perfect" gun and caliber.

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A critter is whatever animal is currently vexing me in some way. I could post many different photos, or descriptions of critters, but the most important thing to remember is this: Once an animal achieves "critter" status, it may not enjoy the same lifespan as it could have, had it simply remained an "animal". wink


"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"

If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1)
And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1)
Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT?
PB answer: It depends.
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I have a 20 gauge I use with a full choke on it. 2.5 inch buckshot works pretty much for everything except large snappers. Hard to take them down with it. A 22 is much better.

I must say though I also have a 410 pump that will do just fine as well. The 410 revolver would be nice but you would be a little limited to distance!

Last edited by RC51; 02/17/12 07:15 PM.

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Originally Posted By: sprkplug
A critter is whatever animal is currently vexing me in some way. I could post many different photos, or descriptions of critters, but the most important thing to remember is this: Once an animal achieves "critter" status, it may not enjoy the same lifespan as it could have, had it simply remained an "animal". wink


Way cool, in the future we can refer to all those "fishies" in the pond. We can avoid abbreviations.

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When I was younger, my Grandmother would take all the rough fish, such as carp and sucker, cut them into chunks, and can them in glass jars. When it came time to prepare them she would break them up, mix them with eggs and crackers, form them into patties and fry them. The same as people do with salmon today. When used in this context, the fish had no proper name, it was simply referred to as "fish", a mix of whatever unknown species happened to be in the jar.

In that respect, I agree that critters and fishies have something in common. Both are casual terms that denote generalities rather than specifics. Good analogy Sniper. smile


"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"

If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1)
And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1)
Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT?
PB answer: It depends.
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Critter's...arent those the things Ellie May had for pets?


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Taurus is now making a carbine based off their Judge revolver. With it having a longer barrel and stock, it'd be far more capable and accurate. However, when you try to do too many things in one platform, often times none of done as well as you can do if they are separate. 12 gauge shotguns are hard to beat for critter control when noise isn't a concern.

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