[bert]

Hello. I just joined this site yesterday. I've been browsing around, but it's going to take a while.

I do have one question right away. We live in St. Pete, in a relatively nice neighborhood. Our back yard rests against a nature preserve. Nobody is allowed back there, but the wildlife can be impressive. We've had armadillos, possums, snakes (a 5ft+ diamondback rattler), racoons, and even an otter wandering in our yard. Our neighborhood also had a 11ft 70lb python on the loose for a year. Also, I'm sure there are gators in the neighborhood lake, if not in our backyard marshland.

Anyway, we have a fenced in yard, but we have 2 very young and curious dogs. I'm afraid that one of these animals will become a danger to us and/or our property one day (especially when rabies are common in some of those species). I'm not sure what I could legally do if something happened.

I have my CWL. I have a number of .22s and a .38 j frame. I have some shotshells for the .38, but i'm having trouble finding shotshells for the .22s. I do have a air-pistol also, but if there was a problem, I'd hate to count on that, just because of the fear of unknown legal issues.

Can anybody give me some advice/suggestions?

 

[SIGnature]

Bert: Welcome to the forum... I'll leave the answer to your question to those far more experienced than myself -- there are plenty on here.

 

[ScreechOwl]

Welcome! I used to live in Pinellas County back in the 60's-early 70's, when there was lotsa room for the critters. Overbuilding has pushed them all together, apparently in your own back yard. And as a general rule, you can't do a whole heckuva lot about it, barring immediate protection instances. I would not hesitate to shoot a Rattlesnake at anytime. Pythons are invasive and not protected. The others are not to be shot by law. Fuzzy thing, law. I would rather end the threat and take my chances in the courtroom. Your neighbors might have a problem with discharging a firearm, til you tell them it was to protect your dogs from a rabid raccoon.

Here's a page that sorta explains some of this...

Click Here

It may help to call your local PD with your concerns, and ask their opinion.

These are just my thoughts on this matter. Others will vary in advice, but I'm sure someone here will have had this situation before, and relate their experiences. Good Luck

 

[srt 10 jimbo]

gotta wach out for wild Hogs too, they can turn a dog into Hamburger

 

[Xray-Emt]

Welcome from Tampa

 

[SGB]

1st - :wave

As to back yard pests .............. Locate your nearest Class III FFL and get one of these -

http://www.silencerco.com/?section=Products&page=Sparrow&vid=22Sparrow-New-vs-Old

- and some of these -

:dancingbanana

 

[big G]

Welcome from Orange Park:grin

 

[Earl 007]

Welcome from lakeland , ever hear of .22 cb load's they are very quiet less noise than air rifle about 900 fps you can get them at walmart they solve problems quietly good luck

 

[Red Dawg]

Welcome

 

[Steve48]

Welcome aboard. :drinks

I'd recommend a 12 gauge shotgun. Make sure that any shot you take doesn't have a neighbor's house in the background. Legal self defense justifies a safe shot taken at a wild critter under the circumstances you describe.

Note that I'm not a lawyer. Just my opinion.

 

[Soverign]

Welcome.
Mothballs sprinkled around the property line will discourage snakes.

 

[bert]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes. I'll have to do a little research. I thought supressors/silencers were illegal, statewide. I'd appreciate having the ability to not disturb the neighborhood, but I wouldn't want to break any laws. I know that subsonic .22 rounds are legal, but I haven't tried any yet. I think I'll pick some up and try them out at the range. My 10/22 or sig mosquito would probably be best for some of these dangerous wildlife situations.

BTW- I am considering getting a smaller caliber shotgun. I haven't done much looking, but anybody have reviews (410s, 20s, etc)? I also saw some shotgun shell 'adapter'? that allows you to put a .38 round in it, and fire the .38 out of the shotgun. I have no idea about the practicality of such an item, but it sounded interesting.

 

[SGB]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes. I'll have to do a little research. I thought supressors/silencers were illegal, statewide.

Common misconception. As long as you comply with the Federal paperwork and pay your $200 federal tax you're good to go. Your local Class III dealer can walk you through it. I'm waiting on my first suppressor right now.