Regarding ethics and coyotes: I am not one and do not suffer their work, that is why I was asking about an ethical shot.
Also, I suspected that the .223 round did not carry enough energy down that range to make a quick kill. I do however understand that some might shoot them knowing they will suffer and die further down the road without any afterthought. I have no problem with that at all.
The two coyotes I saw up close (way too close to my taste, within 20') did not make me feel sympathy for them, but they just changed direction when I stood up.
I did not shoot them because I was hunting deer with my muzzleloader and I did not want to waste a shot or the run that was going on, they are not worth it to me.
Also, being a foreign guest when I hunt in the USA, where that happened, and not knowing if they can be shot all year round or else (upper NY, 5a if I am not mistaken), I would not have taken the chance to kill one, although I am absolutely certain the farmer who owns the land could not have cared less.
The guy at the range was young, most likely a good shooter and definitely not a seasoned hunter from what I could make out of that conversation. Shooting a moose in the eye at 200 yards is just bla bla to my ear, and he seemed convinced he could do that. Well, good for him, I know I can not, any day of the week. I do not hunt from a bench rest. :banghead: