BigBendFishing.Net

One thing I love about this forum is the scoop that can be gained not just on fishing, but regarding just about any subject. So on that note, doing a bit of daydreaming this morning... pile of tough work ahead (this weekend and months beyond) so got to have something fun to think about for the future.

Just picked up about 100 acres of land with a mixture of about 30 acres of fields and the rest mixed hardwoods and pines, as well as a pond. Got a tractor with the transaction.

New place has me eager to hear opinions on a couple of questions, so here goes...

Question #1 - if forced to pick one gun, what would you carry in the tractor and why? Will be killing poisonous snakes on the property because I have dogs AND a 5 year old daughter (otherwise would not / don't kill snakes by habit away from my home). Also have feral pigs and will be keeping them in check too. Pretty much want the gun in hand to deal with whatever warrants dispatching. Since I lost a good number of guns in a recent tragic boating accident, always looking for an excuse to get another one. Guessing most shots won't be long ones... BUT... with the right rifle, some could. Don't know how many coyote I'm going to see, but fields on the property are about 200 yards long.

Question #2 -- ultimately going to need a mobile 4wd vehicle of some sort. Ponds is about 1/2 mile away from the house, and there are dirt paths already blazed around the borders of the property... some are rough enough / get muddy enough with heavy rain that I want something I can trust better than my 2wd truck and want something faster/more nimble to drive around than the tractor. Likely will use it for work/utility (hauling firewood, etc) as much as recreation, but will use it for both. On the recreation side will be carting deer, pig, fishing gear, etc, around when the day comes I have a few free minutes again.

So if only could pick one gun as a farm/tractor gun and one 4wd utility/play vehicle what would you pick. Eager to hear from those in the know!

I will answer # 2 first. I have and will swear by the Kawasaki Mule 4 seater convertible. It is by FAR the best investment I have made for the farm. Put a good winch on the front, and you will use it for almost everything from hauling to dirt road riding....



The best snake gun is not going to be the best hog/coyote gun. Just the way it is. Many times I have had to shoot snakes on the run. (Cottonmouths love to haul arse) Low brass 12 gauge birdshot with a short barrel (18") is the way to go there.

For those 200 yard hog shots. a GOOD scope on a 243 will get the job done. But there are several good calibers out there for that chore with the right bullet. No one gun is the "right" gun...

One "varmint" caliber that is interesting to me is all the new 17 caliber loads, including some rimfire, but I have NO experience with them at all, and have some doubts to some of the claims.


Dubble

Asking for the perfect gun is like asking for the perfect boat. I guess the first question I would ask is handgun or long arm? For snakes nothing beats a .410 or larger shotgun. You will want to reach out further for coyotes. There are a few rifles on the market that can shoot a shotgun shell in one barrel and a rifle or large pistol round in the other. If your thinking about a pistol check out "the judge". That is what I would get if snakes were my primary target. A .38 shots shell works well on snakes also. Sorry, I'm not much help on question 2.

Dubble, do appreciate that the wise advice that "no one gun is the "right" gun...", but don't plan on double/triple/quadruple packing while out on the tractor either. So much like folks occasionally post on the boards asking if limited to one boat best what would you pick for our local neck of the woods, guess I'm asking the equivalent kind of question.

If only taking one gun out on the tractor, what have those who carry found to truly be the most practical / most used.

The Marine in me likes the thought of making long range shots for the challenge of it, BUT my experiences to date caring for land has me thinking I'll likely run into 50 to 100 close-in shots for the much rarer long range ones. Besides, plan on looking over those fields off of the tractor while sitting in stands too, and much more clearly know what I'll likely be shooting then.

Salty Gator, not a huge handgun fan. Much prefer long-arms, though for tractor use kind of thinking I don't want it to be too difficult to grab / quickly shoulder from seated position with limited space. Thus again my reason for asking if limited to one gun, what others have tended to use, appreciating that tractor use changes conditions from open field use. Wish I could just mount a ma deuce on the front of the tractor and be done with it.

mount a ma deuce on the front

from the thread title, I thought that from the beginning

Savage or Stevens used to make an over and under, model 24. They made some in. 30/30 over 20 gauge with about a 24" barrel. A 30/30 with a 24" barrel is plenty of gun for a close range hog and the 20 gauge is all you need for a moccasin. I'm not sure they still make this combination but seems to me it would be pretty close to a perfect utility gun to carry around a farm.

RodBow wrote:

mount a ma deuce on the front

from the thread title, I thought that from the beginning

RodBow, have one more admission... you have no idea how badly I want PA to chime in & tell me I need a flame thrower so I can tell the Mrs. I've been given expert advice to acquire one!

Baikal USSG MP94 Combo Rifle/Shotgun. 12Ga/.30-06

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... 836632#PIC

But this is my favorite


http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/ ... =001&From=

I wish I had your problems John. Ha!!!

Flint River Pirate wrote:I wish I had your problems John. Ha!!!

Uhmmm, be careful what you ask for, Dave... property purchase took us from having zero personal debt to owing a TON... want me to send you the bills?!

A 30/30 and a mule

I have a couple friends that own property that we train retrievers on. Most of them use a Mule and keep a Rossi Circuit Judge on the gun rack. Get the Rossi in stainless and when you load it alternate the rounds between .410 self defense rounds and birdshot. Birdshot is great for snakes and the self defense rounds carry enough bang for anything else.

Sako 270 rifle w/ a Swarovski scope, don't skimp on scope. Most accurate mass produced rifle. Plus pick up a $40 single shot 410 from a pawn shop for snakes.
The mule is best, but you would be surprised at where a jacked up gas operated golf cart can go, plus the golf cart is easy driving for the kids. For the tips, I can be persuaded to go on a cobia trip w/ you. Won't they be migrating back through in Sept?