what set up for coon hunting? optic, rifle, light, night vision, help...
- Thread starter skipbo32
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Justin Holder
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- Apr 24, 2010
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Um, doesn't that scope already have an illuminated reticle? If not what is that nob on the eye piece for?
Frozen North
Member
I don't know what the legalities of coon hunting are in TX, but here in MN we use dogs. A good coon hound will find them, tree them, and keep them there till you show up. My best friend had a couple Treeing Walkers that would bark a certain way while they were stalking, another way while they were on a trail, and another way when they had one in a tree. This way he knew what was going on and could keep track of them in the dark.
Go talk to your local veterinarian or check out the internet too see who has hounds in your area. The owners of these dogs are always happy to help out with these types of infestations...
It is allot of fun to see these dogs at work. I'm sure the owner would be happy to have you join in.
I don't mean to be gun safety mommy here, but shooting coons out of trees with a rifle is... well... not safe... :/ The guys who are worried about the pelt usually use a .22 short and they guys who just want them dead use a shotgun and #4 shot. A 7.62x39 can go a looooooooong way if you miss!!
Also consider an old fashioned leg hold trap. They can't resist chicken or fish parts! My dad used leg hold traps for many years to keep coon and skunk populations in check. Coons and skunks killed his chickens so he always kept the pressure on them. He would put the bait in a 5 gallon pail and put several traps around it. It was common to double and triple on one pail. These rodents were dispatched every morning with a .22. You will need to move your bait stations because they will get wise to you in time.
This method also catches dogs and cats, so don't use it if they are around and lose at night. No one wants to break their pet's foot!!
I think leg hold traps are just fine for rodents, some don't... I can see why some people feel they are inhumane, but they work and I don't much care.
Go talk to your local veterinarian or check out the internet too see who has hounds in your area. The owners of these dogs are always happy to help out with these types of infestations...
It is allot of fun to see these dogs at work. I'm sure the owner would be happy to have you join in.I don't mean to be gun safety mommy here, but shooting coons out of trees with a rifle is... well... not safe... :/ The guys who are worried about the pelt usually use a .22 short and they guys who just want them dead use a shotgun and #4 shot. A 7.62x39 can go a looooooooong way if you miss!!
Also consider an old fashioned leg hold trap. They can't resist chicken or fish parts! My dad used leg hold traps for many years to keep coon and skunk populations in check. Coons and skunks killed his chickens so he always kept the pressure on them. He would put the bait in a 5 gallon pail and put several traps around it. It was common to double and triple on one pail. These rodents were dispatched every morning with a .22. You will need to move your bait stations because they will get wise to you in time.
This method also catches dogs and cats, so don't use it if they are around and lose at night. No one wants to break their pet's foot!!
I think leg hold traps are just fine for rodents, some don't... I can see why some people feel they are inhumane, but they work and I don't much care.
no....you are right. i am just using the AK temporarily because it had a light mount on it. but i feel very uncomfortable shooting up in trees at night with it. i dont use it unless i get up close for a direct hit. mostly i have been using my Walther P22 w/ green laser to tag the coons. the AK is murder on the jackrabbits though
. most of the AK shots are for them.thanks for the advice on the dogs. i think i actually know a guy with a coon dog. i'll ask him if he is willing to donate his dogs skill.
Frozen North
Member
A tip on a gun sight....
A red dot with a green dot... if that makes sense. I have a Tasco Pro Point with a red or green reticle. I can turn the intensity of the dot way way down and green is fantastic for night shooting. IMO, scopes and iron sights are tough to see in the dark. I like too keep it all dark, let my eyes adjust, and leave the spotlights off to prevent spooking them.
Inside 75 yards in the dark, I would take a red dot (with a green dot) over anything else.
A red dot with a green dot... if that makes sense. I have a Tasco Pro Point with a red or green reticle. I can turn the intensity of the dot way way down and green is fantastic for night shooting. IMO, scopes and iron sights are tough to see in the dark. I like too keep it all dark, let my eyes adjust, and leave the spotlights off to prevent spooking them.
Inside 75 yards in the dark, I would take a red dot (with a green dot) over anything else.
Frozen North....i will look into that. thanks for the advice. for my remington 788 22-250 i was thinking of getting this scope for it:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-banner-4-16x40-matte-rifle-scopes-714164i.html
it would be to snipe varmints and any coons that might be perched on my feeders. not sure how quality the scope is but it has an illuminated reticle. i will look up the one you mentioned.
thanks.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-banner-4-16x40-matte-rifle-scopes-714164i.html
it would be to snipe varmints and any coons that might be perched on my feeders. not sure how quality the scope is but it has an illuminated reticle. i will look up the one you mentioned.
thanks.
lobo9er
Member
i would think 22-250 would be more of an over kill than x39. Unless your killing them at 2-300 yards. wouldn't a 22-250 be ramping it up?
Coon huntin was about the only sporting extra curricular activity at my house when me and my brothers were growing up so having coon hunted nearly all my natural born life; we hunted with dogs and all we ever used was a single shot 22 rifle, I don't care if 20 people went huntin it was always just 1 gun,preferably an old bolt action you don't care about gettin scratched. I have shot literally hundreds of coons out with plain ole Rimington Long Rifles. Ever once in awhile somebody would use a 4/10 shotgun which is loud as hell in the night. 22 for coons is plenty.
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