What to pack in feral dog country

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Rather than do a major thread drift of the latest bear gun thread I posit anew here.
It appears that we have a greater problem with the dreaded feral dog (canine baddus), either alone or in packs than we do with the Ursus bearus.
So what are your FFDL's (favourite feral dog loads)?

[Gun 4 Fun]

You can kill them with a .22 if the shot is just right. However, for come what may shooting, I want a .357 or larger caliber. Some of them old buggers can get awfully tough after running wild for a few years.

[Joni_Lynn]

My choice would be an expanding bullet in 9mm, 38 or 357.
Woof!!!

[keith44spl]

Ah, maybe a Ruger Ranch Rifle or any ol' 44 spl.

Su Amigo,
Dave

[Amici]

A 627 full of .357 or .38 Super JHP's. Eight nasty surprises.

[Dan Cash]

Any flat point bullet .38 or bigger. This includes .38 Colt and S&W, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Mag, .357 Sig etc. and .36 Navy percussion revolvers with a round ball. Knocks 'em flat.

[oldogy]

Scatter gun with nothing smaller than #4.
oldogy

[model10]

well a 44 mag an a few speed loarders come to mind or a 870 short barrel in 12 ga

[skeeterbait]

It is an unfortunate situation that this is all too common on our property. We are talking about true feral dogs, not someone's house dog or deer dog roaming around. Mangy dogs, some I have believed to be dog/coyote mix. When a pack of dogs run deer through the woods totally silent, they are not pets.

I have dispatched numerous over the years. High powered rifle, #4 buck and 357 SJSP have all worked well. I do not walk our property without at least a side arm.

[pred]

Pack a Bear!
or 38 special and larger
peter

[fyimo]

If you are talking packs of dogs I would carry a high cap pistiol in 9mm or 40 S&W. However, the best choice would be a rifle in 223, 22-250, or 243 if you can engage them at greater distances and you are able to shoot that far safely. Close quarters would be a high cap pistol with lots of rounds.

[CCV]

Originally Posted by fyimo

If you are talking packs of dogs I would carry a high cap pistiol in 9mm or 40 S&W. However, the best choice would be a rifle in 223, 22-250, or 243 if you can engage them at greater distances and you are able to shoot that far safely. Close quarters would be a high cap pistol with lots of rounds.

I agree...........................

[woodsltc]

Since my post about the dogs in the bear thread "may" have been Caj's inspiration for this thread.............I would like to suggest that each week Caj should start a "Beastie of the Week" thread so we can all join in and discuss what caliber & load would be most appropiate for said beastie's demise.

Don

[dmar]

* Relatively close, a shotgun would work like a charm.
* For a pistol, I would go with a .357.
* For a rifle, just about anything would work, but I'd personally go with a .223, or .30-30 (if far off, I'd use a .22-250).

[DCWilson]

Milkbones and pepper spray. Juice the alpha dog and throw out half as many doggie treats as there are remaining dogs. Then pull up a chair and watch the show.

J'aime les gros chiens.

[Beauetienne]

Originally Posted by oldogy

Scatter gun with nothing smaller than #4.
oldogy

Yup!! What he said.

[phenson]

I liked the 200 pound chimp thread the best.

[Vulcan Bob]

All right Woodsltc I'll bite, what would be the right cal./load for beastie's? I personally would go for the ever popular M1 projector-flame.

[woodsltc]

Originally Posted by Vulcan Bob

All right Woodsltc I'll bite, what would be the right cal./load for beastie's? I personally would go for the ever popular M1 projector-flame.

Bob, it would depend on what the beastie is......certainly you would need enough firepower but you don't want overkill !!!

Beasties could be anything from hoodoos to sabre toothed crotch-crickets!!!!

Don

[dkees]

Any handgun would be a back-up only. A shotgun with 4 buck or larger, maybe load alternately with slugs would be my choice.

Or a tree stand, 30-06, and bait with left over McDonald's.

[m1gunner]

As far as a sidearm, a model 19 pushing a DEWC about 1250 fps does the trick. Or a full sized 1911 with 230gr ball has yet to fail either.

If I were to go looking for the cur, a scoped 30-30, or a hicap 223 with a red dot would be my choice.

A shotgun just isn't small enough to carry all the time, and if the intent is to go find them, there are better choices than a shottie.

[rocketdog]

Usually carried a lever action .44 magnum or 1911A1 .45acp on a walk in the country....

Never had to shoot, but the neighbor let his huge Doberman run free, ran into packs of dogs, hogs on the loose, skunks, coyote, deer etc.

[gizamo]

I'm still waitin on an answer as to what to carry for Chikadee's....


giz

[Gun 4 Fun]

Originally Posted by gizamo

I'm still waitin on an answer as to what to carry for Chikadee's....


giz

I have used my 12 gauge om them lots of times. Works OK.

[ColbyBruce]

Personally, I would carry either my Sig P228 or BHP 9mm's if there were large packs of roaming canines. I am also a fan of the USGI M1 .30 carbine. The carbine is light, accurate, fast shooting, and will easily reach out 100 yards to pop a taget.

[Mitch_D]

I'm a handgun fan. Usually a .38 or better at hand, and that's what I would deploy if it's an un-announced visit.

These buggers can move in fast though, and often have friends with them. If you've got it available, the scattergun or high cap pistol in 9mm+ is a better choice.

As has already been said - go for the alpha first. Keep a club handy.

They're good target practice, and great cardio-pulmonary excercise.

PS: I'll never forget hunting for a sneaky rabid dog on our neighbor's farm with my Dad when I was a kid. My job was to watch our backs as we manuevered among the outbuildings. Think Cujo. It ended badly - for him, thank God.

[woodsltc]

Originally Posted by gizamo

I'm still waitin on an answer as to what to carry for Chikadee's....


giz

giz, I've always found a long handled fly-swater to be very effective on a charging chikadee. The long handle gives you an edge.............you can hit the enraged chickadee far enough away from your hat before it gets to close to do any damage. Also, a follow-up swat is possible if needed.

Now in the case of a "swarm" of chikadees there's really not much hope of escaping unharmed...........ya might as well kiss your ***** goodbye, 'cause they will get to you.

Don

[SuperMan]

I have a very old article from a Guns&Ammo magazine about hunting wild dogs in Georgia. At the time there were large packs of them running all over the state. I have not read the article in some time but the author stated that dogs have a very low pain threshold and are easly diverted from attacking with a good body hit but the best was in the guts with a hollowpoint.

His favorite tactic was to try and id the Alpha male and gut shoot him...while Mr. Big was screaming the Underlings would get confused and start milling around the leader. They were easy to pick off at that point.

This authors favorite guns for dog packs was a pump shotgun, .357 S&W handgun, 1911 .45 but his favorite was a drilling of all things...double 12s over 30-06.

I shot several ferral dogs off my place when I lived in Texas. Within 40 yards the dogs were usually moving so the 00 Buck from a Mossberg 500 were usually called out for the job. At long range all I had at the time was a Remington 700 in .280 Remington..

Bob

[dennis40x]

A chain saw is effective but you have to get on that starts on the first pull or your rear end is grass.

[jframefreak]

I'm with the shotgun crowd on this one. Multiple shot capability, buckshot in mass quantities. Neighbor had a crazy dog one time........

[Vulcan Bob]

Oh heck Woodsltc, I plum forgot about hoodoo's! I will have to re,evaulate the flame thrower as everyone knows that a flame thrower is ineffective on hoodoo's.

[Nygma]

Originally Posted by gizamo

I'm still waitin on an answer as to what to carry for Chikadee's....


giz

Are we talking your run of the mill titmouse or the big, nasty, black capped chickadee?

[M28]

Originally Posted by Nygma

Are we talking your run of the mill titmouse or the big, nasty, black capped chickadee?

Ya' mean the ones with the big nasty tusks?

Brian~

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally Posted by SuperMan

I have a very old article from a Guns&Ammo magazine about hunting wild dogs in Georgia. At the time there were large packs of them running all over the state. I have not read the article in some time but the author stated that dogs have a very low pain threshold and are easly diverted from attacking with a good body hit but the best was in the guts with a hollowpoint.

His favorite tactic was to try and id the Alpha male and gut shoot him...while Mr. Big was screaming the Underlings would get confused and start milling around the leader. They were easy to pick off at that point.

This authors favorite guns for dog packs was a pump shotgun, .357 S&W handgun, 1911 .45 but his favorite was a drilling of all things...double 12s over 30-06.

I shot several ferral dogs off my place when I lived in Texas. Within 40 yards the dogs were usually moving so the 00 Buck from a Mossberg 500 were usually called out for the job. At long range all I had at the time was a Remington 700 in .280 Remington..

Bob

I know the article in question-A buddy kept the magazine containing it in his camp! The article was (as far as I can remember) captioned Feral Dog Loads with a picture of some dog snarlin' on the cover. It was a must read every time we showed up. That copy of G&A spent more time in the bathroom than the Playboys!! An instant classic !!!!!!. We had many discussions over the table about that one!! If you have it, I would kill for a copy.

[David LaPell]

My thinking on dogs would be a .357 or a .44 Special loaded with 200 grain JHP's.

[Combat_Diver]

While out hunting then whatever is in hand at the moment. NC regulations on game lands during closed season is to allow only .22LR pistols only. So, in that sense it is usually my Ruger Single Six (can't even carry the magnum cyclinder). However, if I was to go out and hunt them then I'll use what I'm most familiar with a Aimpoint mounted on top.



and my sidearm


CD

[AkRay]

A high capacity Glock in a caliber that starts with 4 would be a good choice.

[Steave]

Seems to me anything larger than a .22 LR would be fine, and a .22 would certainly work in a pinch.

[Aglifter]

Either a 45 or a 44 -- I'd want big holes. An AR or a shotgun would be a good choice -- depends on the terrain/situation.

A 22 is a good way to get into trouble, I'd expect.

For chickadees, obviously either a 50 BMG or 416 Barrett for dealing w. them one at a time, and while standing still... If you're getting "flocked" then you'll need some flak guns to survive...

[rds95991]

If we are talking packs, then a double column semi auto with an extra magazine in 9mm or 40 SW. I like my Browning HP and USP40.

Right now mountain lions are becoming a bigger problem so I am more inclined to carry my 3" 629 loaded with 220 or 250gr metal case profile.

[wheelgun1958]

My vote is for a Trunk Monkey. A mockingbird for the chicks. Now, for the lawyers.....

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I had real experence with "Bad Dogs". Answering a "Animal Complaint" call where earlier three "Pitbull" types had attacked an elderly lady hanging clothes in her backyard. Reaching the general area I observed the three "suspects" going after a small girl walking home from school.
I quickly positioned my patrol vehicle between the girl and the dogs while using siren and car horn After getting the girl to safety inside my vehicle I started around my vehicle to the drivers door when the three dogs attacked me. Drawing my issue weapon (Sig -Sauer P-229 .40 w/ 180 Speer JHP) I double-tapped the first dog center chest, dog #2 the same, and dog #3 as he was turning away. The bullets had negative affect on the dogs, but the sound of the shots turned them away. When backup units arrived we found the dogs and dispatched them with shotguns.
There after when I exited my patrol vehicle on an "Animal Call" I carried my 12ga.
Jimmy

[borntoraisehogs]

Even a animal that has become a menacing pest should be dispatched humanly . Please use enough gun . Center of mass . Shooting almost any animal with a .22 is a cruel death , IMHO . Before you tag me as a bleeding heart , know I shoot prairie dogs and various other ground griz with 25-06 and 7mm mag . They do not suffer . What is not skin seems to turn into vapor .

[afriqueart]

Couple of gallons of anti-freeze and a few aluminum pie plates. Climb up a nearby tree with a zoom lens!

[jag312]

Bacon wrapped around a hand grenade has always worked for me. Seriously, I have never run into a pack of feral dogs. When my girlfriend and I hike in the hills, there are signs warning us about mountain lions. I take a .44 Special with 200 grain hollow points. I hope that is enough for a mountain lion, but I am sure it is more than enough for a feral dog. I also take a Randall #14, but I sure don't want to get into any hand-to-hand fighting with a wild animal.

[38-44HD45]

Having lived way out in the country most of my life, I've killed many, many feral dogs. Lots more, in fact, than most game animals or "natural" predators. Seems that there is a class of people out there who think it's a good idea to take an unwanted dog out in the country and dump it, for folks like me to have to deal with. Oftentimes, the larger ones become dangerous to humans, as well as predatory on livestock and domestic pets. Some low-class folk also simply move away from country homesteads and leave dogs behind. Same results.

Anyway, I've killed more with rifles than with handguns, and more with autoloading handguns than with revolvers. Since this is a wheelgun sub-forum, I've found that any good .357 will work well. I whacked a few with my old pencil-barrel Model 10 and 140gr. Speer JHPs over max loads of 2400, and those were decisive.

Given my druthers, I'll always pick a .223 (or bigger) rifle or a shotgun loaded with 00 Buck. .22s will kill them, but I like dogs, and if I have to kill one, I want it to be as quickly and humanely as possible. One of the last two feral dogs I killed was with an M1S90 and WW military 00 Buck. The other was with 9x23 WW white box JSP, which, while it killed the dog quickly, did not expand. The Silvertips would have, I think, though it was not a really big dog.

[dld]

I would pack Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer
while they were chewing on him I would use a 357mag or a 44 mag as backup

[Snapping Twig]

While it pains me to think about shooting dogs, feral is feral and they aren't your friend under those circumstances.

For a rifle, a Mini 30 or a Mini 14. Fast into action, short and easy to pack.

Pistol, it'd be a 1911, hard hitting and fast follow-up.

[safearm]

I owned some very rural farm property that had not been occupied for awhile. At first, we would just travel for the day and come back home at night, but after we had a well drilled and electricity run in, we put a trailer on the property for use during the weekends. We rebuilt the barn and started bringing our horses and dogs with us, which is when we began noticing evidence of feral dogs. I kept both a Mini-14 and Remington 870 12 gauge on the property and had numerous occassions to shoot at, and in some cases actually hit, feral dogs and coyotes (they can move real fast!). I never had use a pistol on feral dogs, but have had to dispatch domestic dogs. In pistols, I preferred .45 caliber (.45 Colt or .45 ACP), in a shotgun, I used #4 buck and in .223, 55 grain JSP.