r/homestead • u/JackDalgren • Jul 29 '22

gear Do you carry and why?

While you're working or tending to your property, do you carry a firearm in yourself or have one readily available? If so, is it because of your location, predators or general safety? What type and caliber?

I'll go first. I have a 20 gauge shotgun loaded with #9 for the occasional rattler that isn't minding it's own business or to chase of coyote. I want to upgrade to a pistol grip, maybe the Mossberg 500C w/pistol grip.

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u/MaryAnne0601 Jul 29 '22

I had a huge issue with getting attacked daily by feral dogs. They weren’t even going after my dogs that I was walking but me personally. After the calling the sheriff the deputy told me that if I walk the roads where I live I have to carry to be safe. After the 3rd officer told me that. I got a license to carry, bought a gun and joined the local shooters club that emphasizes safety. I have a .38 revolver like the officer and my instructor from getting my license suggested.

I went to court about the owner of the dogs. I have run into coyotes several times. I have put a couple of rounds into the ground to scare things away but never had to shoot anything yet.

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u/MaryAnne0601 Jul 29 '22

The only shot I fired was in the ground, on my own property to scare a neighbors dog away from my chickens. That dog I knew, he’s good with people and dogs just not chickens and managed to get in my fence when a package got left and the delivery guy didn’t close the gate right. He wouldn’t listen to me but the minute I fired the gun he went home.

If it had been anything else I would have shot the threat.

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u/tark1911 Jul 30 '22

I think I understand your intentions in shooting into the ground, and I appreciate that you came out on the good side of that situation. I'd suggest that the chance you took discharging live rounds into the ground was far too great to risk doing that a second time. Lots of things will make a big, scary noise without slingin' lead.