A sensitive subject (WARNING- "A sensitive subject"!

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AirNGasman

AirNGasman

Member
Jul 18, 2018
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Texas, United States
I revisit this sensitive hunting subject because it is one of the more important hunting subjects of our times, and airgunners are perhaps more well-positioned to effect positive results for the ecology than any other group of sportsmen. That said, I'll not apologize for arguing for realistic control(s) of one of the worst scourges on wildlife we face; likely rivaling that of feral hogs' detrimental effects and proliferation.

I just killed another feral cat; that being a "house-cat" gone felon... most often due to the failings of its human caretaker! I don't know how many of the 7 or 8 feral cats I've executed were 'pets', but that's a moot point anyway. Even if every one was one your local cat-lady's (dozens of) 'house-cats', GOOD! Because any bull-s**t 'humanitarian' ignorant enough to let her menagerie prowl unchecked through the neighborhood deserves to 'lose' Fluffy, Cuddly, or Lovey... all UN-NEUTERED TOMCATS (though unbeknown to Clueless Cat-Lady)!

To say it aggravates HELL out of me that members of my own species can be so ignorant as to enable and perpetuate such Nature-wrecking malfeasance as requires ME thinning the over-population of feline felons would be a gross under-statement! Though un-neutered cats wreak absolute HAVOC on small-game and songbird species (as now well-documented by many scientific studies), I didn't overcome my aversion to killing feral cats until the second veterinary bill and third time my pets were injured by Fluffy, Cuddly, and Lovey. That was about five executions ago, and I haven't had to patch-up Whiskers since accepting the wisdom and reality of taking out ferals BEFORE they do lasting damage to my pets or ecosystem.

Tonight's (latest) victim of my vigilantism proves the value and effectiveness of awareness and a well set-up airgun rig. Typical of most of my feral cat executions, this one began with a couple of interloper sightings in my neutered tomcat Whiskers' rightful territory, OUR YARD. As always, I used a properly-powerful (30 foot-pound), accurate, and well-scoped .22 PCP to first confirm the interloper did not have a notched ear indicating reproductive neutering. He didn't, so I sent an 18 grain JSB at 870 FPS into the back of his skull for an instant end to his, my, and (imminently) Whisker's suffering... same as the previous several feral tom-cats I've exterminated. 

The braining is because, even when removing destructive pests having no redeeming qualities, I abhor inflicting suffering on any animal; so, whenever possible, strive for a perfect brain-shot to avoid ANY suffering on the part of the recipient. This WAS (a perfect brain shot to avoid ANY suffering on the part of the recipient). 

I felt no small amount of remorse at being forced to kill the first few feral cats I executed. However, the last several have inflicted on me no such silly guilt-pangs; REALITY having finally dawned that I do great favors to the neighbors of feral cats... and feral humans that perpetuate such inexcusable ecosystem havoc as Fluffy, Cuddly, and Lovey WREAK everywhere they (are allowed to) roam.

With a little help from Your's Truly, my .22 Brocock Bantam Hi-Lite did an admirable job of delivering its payload to Fluffy's cerebral cortex, ending his felonious ways before they could commence.

1555225374_10102323305cb2db1e9526a3.50848258_Bantam.JPG


FWIW, Bro-Lite averages .60-.70" five-shot groups at 50 yards... regular as clockwork! The 30 yard shot in 40 MPH winds was a regular 'chip-shot'. 

Moderators, nothing in this post violates laws... or sound game-management practice(s).


 
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I use to kill. Now, if it has a collar it’s safe.

I once had an Officer ask me some questions about a neighbor cat from 500 yards behind us. Seems it came home with a half crescent taken out of its tongue. I didn’t do it but I instantly said to him. That cat roams free all the time, golden color right? Yeah. We’ll it’s been in my crosshairs & I’ve never put it down because it has a collar. I can tell you right now it’s trapping season & kitty’s tongue is gone from a crescent trap. She was told to keep her cat in by the Officer if she cares about it.

I only shoot birds that are anywhere from 75-200 yards out.
 
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 live on a ranch (horses, alpaca's and goats) we have cat's all 6 of them and all neutered living peacefully with the rest of the animals and dogs. While two of them are my house cats the other four are "barn cats'" not exactly feral and not tamed either but can be very friendly when they want to (typical cats) they take care or the rodents around the feeds and whatnot interesting thought that I or anyone have a chance to shoot any rats or mice I guess they control the population very well. As for strange cat's not from the ranch they always defend their home turf very vigorously and get into very bad fights but they always win and at times killed the interlopers for that all 4 of them have some sort of war scars on them ranging from parts of ears bitten off, broken tails and deep scratch all taken care of by the vet on her monthly visits. I have never giving in any thoughts about shooting any stray cats not my own and I just chuckled under my breath and say boy you guys are gonna get ur butts whoop.
 
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Yeah feral cats are super destructive indeed. It’s terrible that some people aren’t responsible enough to deal with it correctly. There’s a feral cat colony that lives in a trailer court below me. The humane society has a program that traps and nuter/spay them and releases them again. You can always see the clipped ear on a treated feral. It must help the problem, but it seems impossible to remedy the problem with it. Just up the road is a ranch where people from town dump unwanted cats, that poor guy has tons of cats that are ****** and diseased. That problem is completely ignored and it is a cat factory out there. I can understand why you do it for sure. One little feral cat I adopted was my best friend for the last six years...but the coyotes finally got her. It’s a tough hard world out there. It would be nice if everything worked out peaceful but that’s just not nature’s way, and we are part of nature. I even HATE killing skunks, but when they move in and make babies you gotta deal with it...or you end up dealing with it in a much more unpleasant way. Brave post indeed.


 
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You raised some very good points. I spent lots of time on my grandpa's farm while growing up. He was, to say the least, a very practical man. Twice a year we grabbed the 22 rifle and patrolled the farm. Any cats that had not been observed hunting and killing rats were dispatched. No free rides on grandpa's farm. Was he heartless? No. Every morning and evening when he milked the cow, he made sure to put some milk in an old hubcap, just for the cats. He was paying them for their work.

Our modern society has decided that some animals are not "just animals." Dogs and cats, mostly, but horses, rabbits, and some birds also. This depends on each person, and is very subjective. Now, combine that with another modern trend, the habit of telling other people what they should or should not do, instead of doing something themselves. Not all, but most, of the people who would disagree with your solution to the problem do not actually do anything themselves to deal with the problem of feral cats. Mind you, they probably have no qualms about you blasting away at a bunch of rats. Why? Well, because cats are "different." But these people are not the ones suffering damages and losses from the feral cats. My dog, Cornbread, is special to me. But if Cornbread got out and went to your farm and started killing chickens, and you shot her, I would not be mad at you. I'd be sad, and wish it didn't happen, but that's all. It's my responsibility to take care of Cornbread, and that includes keeping her on my property. The only thing i'd say to you is "How much do I owe you for the chickens she killed?"

How many people have offered to safely trap these feral cats for you, and whisk them away to a "furever" home? I have learned that the best response when somebody complains about how a problem is being dealt with, is to ask them what they personally are doing about the problem. The biggest complainers usually do nothing themselves.

Now, I think I speak for most of us on this forum who shoot both game animals and pests when I say that it is good to be as humane as possible when doing so. It is not because of the animal, or its perceived status in society's mind, that we do this. No, it is because on the inside, we are as compassionate as the situation allows us to be. We want to be good people. This driving force inside us tells us not to be cruel about it, and to make it as quick as possible for the animal. I enjoy hunting, and will always try to harvest game in a way that limits the animal's suffering. It seems you have the same attitude. Good for you!
 
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I wish animal control would actually neuter them around here. They won't even take them in anymore. If you complain loud enough they will trap them but release them unaltered. I took a shot at one that was running away from my pond and hit it's tail as it went over the fence. A week later he was back sans tail. This time I trapped him and turned him to AC who dropped him off at one of the local ranches that lets them stay if they can. It's 23 miles from my house and the cat was back in less than 24 hours. It's done this twice from two locations.

They never last long regardless of how tough they are. It's a rough life! I killed one a year or so back with half it's face torn off. A well placed shot may be blessing.
 
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While shooting pigeons the farmer and his wife spoke to me about their problems with the feral cats.

They mentioned two things that I had not considered. INBREEDING and the expense in neutering.

I started watching the cats and it’s a real mess they are a rough looking bunch. Many are pregnant. I know the farmer would be happy with me shooting the cats but I just can’t bring myself to do it

Catching an neutering might be the better solution but what good is a better solution if it can’t be implemented?

I know for certain if i owned the farm I would eliminate the problem I’ve got a few cats wondering around a through my property. Hasn’t become a problem as yet BUT 



I’ve got a real anti gunner and certainly anti hunter on the one side of me So I have to deal with that reality (as do most of us) 

There is SO MUCH to this and truthfully no good answers.

I object to comments relative to cruelty. Seems to me the cruelest is doing nothing

This is real problem and getting worse each year.

The do gooders don’t always do good. 
 
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You better be careful and a good shot. I don't know what the laws are where you live, but here in Pa. several weeks ago someone shot a cat with a bow & arrow, and the cat ran off with the arrow sticking out of it. Someone found it and called the police. They traced it back to the shooter and it looks like there is now jail time in his future. Sometimes doing the right thing & the legal thing are not the same. I don't risk it any more.
 
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Big difference between a country farm and a local neighborhood. I think the OP lives in a neighborhood which is the root of why I disagree with shooting the cats.

Are you sure all neutered cats have a notches in their ears? My two are neutered and don't have notches. I've never heard of notching a cat's ears.

What about female cats just on the prowl? My neighborhood has a couple calico female cats that like to roam around. After all, they aren't like dogs and can't be taken on walks to get their exercise. I doubt the damage they do to wildlife in the neighborhood is as much as you think. They might even help out if your neighborhood has a rat problem.

I guess my biggest concern would be: Is there a local law governing this? I just mention this because I believe where I live we call the local animal control and it is their job to handle it. Sort of like calling the police if I see a burgler at the neighbor's house rather than deciding to shoot him myself. After all, the "burgler" might just be a guy with permission to check on the cat locked inside while the owner is away. I'd hate to shoot some kid's pet.

Animal control puts wild animals (cats, squirrels, skunks, etc.) down around here. They pick up pets and bring them to "jail" until the owner pays a fine to pick them up. Otherwise,,,put down.
 
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Great Post Ron and I'm with ya 100% . My wife has a couple of old bird feeders that she converted to lil bird homes . We have kind of a year round baby bird thing going on our back porch and about once a year a group of feral cats that live in an old barn up the road find them and of course kill every bird in the nests.

Feral cats are a problem for Sure ! And just moving the problem down the road doesn't stop anything. To me it's no different than dealing with any invasive species . And for the guys who may disagree I would say this ..... Wait till it's your puppy , or other pet that gets attacked and see what you think then . 
 
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However the point made about legality better be paid attention to. Which is one reason for why my farmer friend should shoot his cats rather then ME. ( plus I just don’t have the heart to do it even though I see the necessity). 

Feral cats are distorting the song bird populations. THAT’S A FACT

Jail time for shooting the cat? The tax payer pays Fine the hell out of him Jail only if he doesn’t pay Whether or not if you agree with the law It should be in forced 

This is so typical of political discussions very good points on both side but when it comes to voting on the issue the final solution is decided by people who rarely know the facts Not that I am all that expert either but since I’ve been hanging out at some of these farms I see the real sadness of cats who have to fend for themselves Dogs too.






 
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While the fact that feral cats cause extensive damage to wildlife is irrefutable. Establishing a feral from a non feral in a neighborhood environment wouldn’t be the same as if on a farm, or far afield. The OP has a clear conscience in what he’s doing, and is upfront of how and why he’s doing it. Gets a lot of respect from me, even though I might not entirely agreed with the practice. mmahoney makes a good point. I had a strange cat pass thru last weekend, should I have shot it?
 
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we have feral cats at work. a licensed trapper took out over 200 of them, but within a 3 year period the numbers are back up. they are sickly, mean, and the inbreeding is terrible. recently "have a heart" traps were placed around and about 60 of them were removed and taken to the county for disposal. a "cat lady" at work reported it to PETA and they tried to protest our work site. being a secured government facility, this did not bode well for them. 2 employees suffered injuries that required medical attention when they unknowingly walked too close to a den at night.



1 of our employees raises pheasants and reports his losses from ferals to the local authorities to justify shooting them. 1 harsh winter he said he lost over $ 2,000 in pheasants to ferals.



we have ferals in our area, but we also have house cats that roam. i don't have any losses from either, so there is no need to dispose of them. i've often thought about raising chickens and pheasants, and if i do, they best be staying out off my property!
 
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You raised some very good points. I spent lots of time on my grandpa's farm while growing up. He was, to say the least, a very practical man. Twice a year we grabbed the 22 rifle and patrolled the farm. Any cats that had not been observed hunting and killing rats were dispatched. No free rides on grandpa's farm. Was he heartless? No. Every morning and evening when he milked the cow, he made sure to put some milk in an old hubcap, just for the cats. He was paying them for their work.

Our modern society has decided that some animals are not "just animals." Dogs and cats, mostly, but horses, rabbits, and some birds also. This depends on each person, and is very subjective. Now, combine that with another modern trend, the habit of telling other people what they should or should not do, instead of doing something themselves. Not all, but most, of the people who would disagree with your solution to the problem do not actually do anything themselves to deal with the problem of feral cats. Mind you, they probably have no qualms about you blasting away at a bunch of rats. Why? Well, because cats are "different." But these people are not the ones suffering damages and losses from the feral cats. My dog, Cornbread, is special to me. But if Cornbread got out and went to your farm and started killing chickens, and you shot her, I would not be mad at you. I'd be sad, and wish it didn't happen, but that's all. It's my responsibility to take care of Cornbread, and that includes keeping her on my property. The only thing i'd say to you is "How much do I owe you for the chickens she killed?"

How many people have offered to safely trap these feral cats for you, and whisk them away to a "furever" home? I have learned that the best response when somebody complains about how a problem is being dealt with, is to ask them what they personally are doing about the problem. The biggest complainers usually do nothing themselves.

Now, I think I speak for most of us on this forum who shoot both game animals and pests when I say that it is good to be as humane as possible when doing so. It is not because of the animal, or its perceived status in society's mind, that we do this. No, it is because on the inside, we are as compassionate as the situation allows us to be. We want to be good people. This driving force inside us tells us not to be cruel about it, and to make it as quick as possible for the animal. I enjoy hunting, and will always try to harvest game in a way that limits the animal's suffering. It seems you have the same attitude. Good for you!
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Great post. It’s crazy that some people have a hard time with me eating rabbits or other non “normal” post live food. If you go to other countries rabbit is on every fancy dinning menu. It’s all about perspective. Take the push to outlaw eating dogs and horses. I would never dream of telling whole societies what animals they can or can not eat.
 
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 Feral cats ;I once posted this subject on another air gun site,it disappeared,glad intelligence rules here....you have to be careful to whom you discuss this subject Cats are one of the better looking animals and have been pets for thousands of years.....those in the know realize that they are one of the most destructive animals ;they are natural born killers most other wildlife have suffered because of them......

They have too many kittens and what becomes of them?



Since my dogs have passed on ,my backyard has become a heaven for cats...and plenty of "cute" kittens .;there is not enough food for them and they wether away...sad for them and me stuck with them....I did shoot some,made me a little sick,I since have got large traps....caught a skunk,dammit,a raccoon and a cat.was the neighbors so let it go....

Cats also stink.....I will be keeping the cat population down around my yard...I will trap them and bring them to a large island nearby....or not.

Btw the worlds seal population has got out of hand and seals are in direct completion with us....butt that is for another time and place.
 
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