Gun for wild cattle

[Rev. Chad]

I saw a hunting show the other night and they were hunting some type of wild cattle on a ranch in Hawaii, it was a cross of Longhorn and Hereford I believe. It got me to thinking, what would gun type and what load would you use? The area they were hunting in was thick brush and real hilly.

 

[Rev. Chad]

I was thinking a Mossberg 500 in 12 gauge and loaded with the hardest rifled slugs I could get. This could really beat hunting hogs.

 

[CoRoMo]

We've killed cattle with a .22 rifle, but I'd just use one of my .270 rifles.

 

[Horribilus]

My grandpa used to shoot cattle to slaughter with a Win 92 32/20. They didn't die right away. I'd probably go with something like a 45/70 to get good penetration.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Anything you'd hunt water buffalo with or cape buffalo would be great. Feral cattle can be dangerous but are not wired anything like a cape buf. Of course comparing the rifle we slaughter cattle with and what we hunt them with isn't a valid comparison.

Any round and bullet that would work for large game such as elk or moose would work for feral cattle just fine. A big cow will weigh as much or more than a big bull moose. Cattle are also heavier built than deer.my choice would be a good .30 cal with 180 or 200gr bullets and up. You couldn't go wrong with your.338 or.375 those are never a bad choice on bigger stuff.

 

[Cob]

Most cattle today are probably going to be in some sort of fence. Wild cattle make for good television, but are much harder to find in real life.

I would think twice before pulling the trigger on any "wild cattle", as you may face fines or imprisonment when the cattle-owner/ cowboy shows up, and you're butchering his Bessie that escaped confinement.

Escapees from confinement or "lost" cattle are probably more routine, especially in fence-out states, vs. fence-in states. if i were going to kill a "wild cow" here in FL, I would use modern archery equipment to muffle the shot.

immigrants that pass thru this area do this more regrettably more routinely than needed, and use a chainsaw to butcher in a hurry, often times making a run with the hide still attached before discovery.

the beef industry is really doing well here in FL, with the drought significantly affecting beef prices throughout TX, & USA.

 

[baylorattorney]

In Texas cattle prices are way up, so bf you drop the hammer on some beef make sure you have plenty of cash.

 

[shiftyer1]

And a big freezer.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I would think twice before pulling the trigger on any "wild cattle",

However on the Big Island of Hawaii there is a huntable population of feral cattle. It's a legit deal and is included in the state game regulations.

 

[Davek1977]

growing up on the family ranch, occasionally an animal would need to be put down. My SKS worked as well as anything else....fmj thru the brain

 

[snakeman]

something in the sprectrum beginning with 30-30 and ending with 45-70

 

[303tom]

I would use my .35 Whelen..............

 

[MtnCreek]

Bucket of corn and a 5 ft stick of dogwood (aim for the nose).

 

[huntershooter]

Guess it would depend on rather you merely wanted to kill them, or stop them.
As stated a .22 rimfire will put them down, if surgically placed-under ideal conditions (animal penned).
If I were hunting them and there were a chance of being gored or stomped, I'd much prefer a large caliber rifle/slug gun.
What is the scenario for hunting; open country or timber-close in and fast or slow and deliberate?

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

It sounds stupid but I actually developed some very good Elk loads by testing them on some cattle many years ago. My dad raised Black Angus and we would always butcher 2 or 3 for the family every year. I would test a load for penetration (lung shots so as not to really screw up a lot of meat) and found that a good 1 1/2 year old bull made for a great test medium. Thick hides, fairly thick fat layer, and some pretty stout ribs gave me very good load data. I would test at 100 to 200 yards. I tested both .30/30 and .30/06 and both did very well. I did do a test on one cow we had that needed to be taken out anyway because it was sick. We couldn't eat the meat so the shot didn't matter so I tested on the front shoulder with the .30/06. Broke both shoulders and found the 180gr Sierra in the skin on the off side. Was shot at 195 yards. I would have to say that pretty much any .30cal or above would be just dandy for feral cow.

 

[jmorris]

A 5 gallon bucket of range cubes and a .22lr.

 

[Armored farmer]

I shot a fine Northern Pump Hereford bull in the ball sack with a .177 cal BB. He came from John Wayne's ranch about '69 or '70.

 

[MCgunner]

Wild cow hunting. Now THERE'S a scam ranchers can use! They need to work up a boone and crocket scoring system. I mean, think of it, no high dollar high fences, just barbed wire. 100 percent success rate. $8000 kill fee plus quartering and such for a 1000 dollar cow. I mean, does it get any better? Camo is important, though, ya know, and you'll need a cow call and a cow decoy. Ranch could charge extra for this.

Mmm, could be a fortune to be made here.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Now that I think of it, didn't "The Pig Man" hunting show have one of these feral cow hunts in Newfoundland? I seem to remember it (love that show. He's hilarious) and he didn't get on one because they are very skiddish.

 

[jbkebert]

I know of a couple ranches in TX where you can opt to bow hunt Watusi cattle. While I have never hunted one I have been around them. One charged the ranches truck and put a hole in the bed of the truck near the tail light and the other hole in the door.

When on foot you give them a wide birth.

 

[MCgunner]

he didn't get on one because they are very skiddish.

This probably would have helped.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Wild cow hunting. Now THERE'S a scam ranchers can use! They need to work up a boone and crocket scoring system. I mean, think of it, no high dollar high fences, just barbed wire.

I wonder what would happen if you mixed a Spanish fighting bull with Longhorn cow and advertised dangerous game hunts. That oughta bring a premium!

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I had to put down a fair size bull monday, my Ruger 10/22 right behind the ear at close range, he went to his knees and was gone a few seconds later, not a wild critter and I didnt like doing it, just a necessity sometimes in the cattle business.

 

[Kachok]

+1 for the 45-70, but seeing as I don't have one at the moment I would use my 06 with 200gr Accubonds.

 

[lopaka]

Big Island Cattle vs 30-30

However on the Big Island of Hawaii there is a huntable population of feral cattle. It's a legit deal and is included in the state game regulations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdrMe2FxHuI&feature=related

Shooting, processing, and eating wild cattle on local Ahiu Hawaii TV show. After watching this, I need a burger.

Bonus pig hunting on the same show.