I am trying to get rid of some coyotes on my land. I have tried trapping but do not want them to suffer. I am not saying that trapping is cruel. I am very busy and if I put a trap out on Friday, I may not be able to check it on Saturday. I have a very busy schedule. This is why I resorted to shooting them. All I have is a semi-auto .22. I do not have a scope for it. I can put three shots in a 2" circle at thirty yards. The bullets I shoot are the Remington hollow points. They weigh 32 grains and shoot 1280 fps. I will only shoot thirty yards. Can I shoot the coyote right behind the leg, or will I lose penetration? I know I can go for a head shot, but would a body shot do it in?

I don't think id ever shoot a coyote with a .22 it just don't have the punch. I'd recommend finding someone that hunts them and tell them they can come shoot them if theyd like to. a .22 just don't see ethical to me.

Well, if you don't want them to suffer, don't use a .22 lr on them, as only a perfectly placed shot will do the job quickly, and getting them into your comfort zone of 30 yards won't happen consistantly. Get yourself a cheap single shot in the .223, it'll do the job and not break the bank. Or, you could also use a 12 gauge loaded with 3" 4 buck and be very leathal out to 45 yards.

In Mississippi you can only shoot a .22 lr or a shotgun with shot no bigger than 6. This is why I chose the .22.

I use a 22 lr for yotes some times. It is not the best , but use what you have .
Yes shoot them in the lungs and try to hit it more than 1 time if possible .
Head shots are iffy some times unless it is from the side , 22 can bounce off the scull , then just below the ear hole.
If it comeing strait at you aim center chest below centerline.
I have even used a 22 semi auto pistol with good sucess .
A 12 gau with 1 1/4 or more of #6 will put a yote down out to 30 or so yds.
Like I said use what in your hand or handy.

The biggest problem with using the 22 lr is that there will be little to no blood trail with any hit. SO, if you don't have good tracking conditions, I'd bet that you'll loose even the ones that you hit, unless you can drop them in thier tracks. I'd choose the 12 guage with turkey loads in your situation.

I going to hunt some WMA in Ark. that will only let you use .22cal rimfire or Shotgun with #4 buck. I am going to use my .22 magnum. Most of my shots will be inside 50 yards. Cg

zak, if you must use a .22, don't shoot the coyote behind the shoulder because it won't do the job. Aim between the eyes.

I do some trapping myslef and use a .22 to take them yotes down. I usually put a bullet between their eyes or ear at about 5ft away. It works fine. Wouldnt shoot them with a .22 if they werent in a trap.

I stalked up on 2 yotes lying side by side in a snowstorm several years ago. I was hunting with a semi-auto 22 and was about 30 yards away. The snow was soft and made no noise so I was able to get close without them seeing or hearing me. When the first one looked up I started in on them both. One busted to the left out of the thicket into the open field. I kept firing and could even see the bullets flying toward and behind him, made the correction and put him down after about 3 hits. The other busted out to the right into the timber and after following a minimal blood trail found him after 50 yards standing there looking at me. Put him down with another shot. I've killed several dogs with this 22 but you need to be within 30-40 yards to have a good chance.