Is it illegal to put a BB into a coyote?
 

Lots of sightings of coyotes in my town. There have been reports of attacks on pets and of stalking kids while hiking in the brush. I don’t know who’s responsible for curtailing the coyote population but they’re not doing a good job. Is it legal to take matters in our own hands or is jail time the penalty for shooting the pests with a BB gun?

Not sure of your state, but many states allow you to shoot them year around with a small game hunting license.

Please don’t use a BB gun.
.223 / Ruger .204 / 6mm / 22-250 and the like are much more appropriate.

It's always open season coyotes as long as you aren't near other people...I would use a rifle, and not mess with a BB gun.

Don't use a BB gun... that's just stooopid imo. Use something that will kill it. A Marlin .357 lever is what I keep handy, yes I'm in the city, technically illegal, and neither I nor the cops give a crap. They'd kill one too (and do), but they are never around when ya need 'em :D.

I always thought one of these would be a fun toy, as well as effective on 'yotes'...On walks, probably would opt for .38 special over .357 mag. Henry Mare's leg...

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/mares-leg/

I doubt a bb gun would penetrate the skin.

Cool.
Right, but might sting enough to make 'em wander off. Maybe if the hit was just right it might just penetrate, but probably not do any actual damage.

There is the issue of discharging a firearm in a city, and there is the separate issue of killing a coyote.

Technically, firing even a BB gun in most large cities (outside of a designated facility) may violate some firearms ordinance. I looked up the rules in Portland and even a paintball gun is illegal, because the law includes projectiles propelled by compressed air or springs or elastic.

As for killing coyotes, you'd have to check your local ordinances. Around here, people wail about how it is "their natural habitat" and whatnot, like there isn't 98% of the state that is available for coyotes to roam.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/sdut-environment-coyote-nuisance-wildlife-trapping-2015feb06-htmlstory.html

Personally, I'd shoot them with an actual gun if I could get away with it.

No BB guns allowed in the city of LA. Outside, in some of the smaller cities, its ok to fire them off but not at a Coyote. My freaking neighbors will shoot me if I even think about doing something like you mentioned. Yes, I live in a left nut job, save the planet part of LA. I was here first, they all came later. Bastards.

I got an ear full when I stomped my feet to scare the coyote away from us as I got out of my car when my kids were babies. People do not have their siht straight. Why do we suddenly have a huge coyote population? The city hasn't done anything different in the past 10-20 years?

I would not shot a coyote with a BB gun. I have done some vermin control (squirrels) with a .22 pellet gun. Coyotes are one of the few applications where .223 is actually a good choice for hunting.

Sling shot ??

That's why you see more 'yotes than I do. Living in a rural Oregon county, a 'yote is a rare sight for me. There are nearby ryegrass fields that currently have sheep grazing. Perfectly legal to shoot vermin here. 'Yotes aren't stupid...life is easier for them where they know they aren't in danger.

Though I'm in the city limits, I live in what was my rural Boy Scout camp in the 70s. Back then, you'd never see a 'yote, fox, or deer here, or it was a very rare. Deer are so plentiful here now... no one hunts in this county much, and predators have no fear... much. Most 'yotes will scoot at the sight of a man, and they still know what a rifle is... evidently ;). Last time I saw one at my back fence, I only had my .45 ACP handy .... wasn't gonna take an iffy shot. My dawg keeps 'em outta the woods now .... she jumps the fence and chases deer.... so I chase her :D.

Almost have her trained not to do that anymore ... but she's learned not to bark and show her hand ;)

I generally use a compound bow.

I think there are air driven options of larger caliber that won't break the sound barrier that might be effective. Hell a wrist rocket and a marble would probably make a bad day for Coyote. Agree a BB gun is too small, and suggestions of .223 (or similar) would attract your neighbors and law in droves. If illegal in your area then no way am I going to jail w/record for a damn Coyote.

Interesting option, guess a cross bow (Walking Dead style) with a sight would be the same. Good call.

The coyote problem is nation-wide. They are perfectly adapted to over-run metropolitan areas. Lots of food. And by food, I mean your pet food. The kind that barks and meows.

Just have to be careful with a crossbow or even a compound, they have enough power to get a pass through shot. So as always, identify the target and what is beyond it.
Probably illegal to fire any weapon in town be it bow or bb gun though.

Go get a kill dog or two. My friend knows a guy locally that hunts coyotes with only dogs. When his chasers get the yote bayed up, they release two kill dogs.

No weapons discharge in town unless I want to go to jail. Wrist rocket might be the way to go.

Get a Gammo-break action pellet rifle, those things are bad to the bone, cheap to purchase, and they can handle varmints, and as long as its on your property you should be ok, just know whats around your target before you grease it..

Just run them over with your truck..

As for killing them. I kill them regularly when i see them on my property.