Hunting with an old Blue Streak

[straycatkid]

My neighborhood has been practically overrun with feral cats. I don't like it. For years I've occasionally taken a few birds or squirrels in the large, wooded backyard with a 1967 Sheridan Blue Streak. Old Faithful. Curious about what you guys would think about using the same rifle against a feral cat that finds its way onto the property. Not a high-velocity gun, but "dang" accurate and the .20 cal has some power. My other option, I have a Gamo Hunter 220 that I haven't shot with in quite a while. I never really seemed to bond with that one very much. The Sheridan is just so reliable and easy to shoot. Not in love with the springer.

Thanks,
Steve

[shadow]

My suggestion would be not to shoot them since there are law's against shooting even feral cat's. I understand that they can be a problem and I lived in a small town that was overrun with them but it only takes one call from someone witnessing the shooting of a cat feral or not to bring the authorities to your house then possibly fine you and take your shooter. Ed

[Mebits]

I use my Sheridan on 2 pumps as a deterrent. If you want to be rid of the cats, borrow a havahart trap and buy the animal control guy a beer. Trap them and call him to take care of the problem.

People are jerks to let their cats run, but many do. You don't want to kill or harm somebody's pet. NO GOOD CAN COME OF THAT. You also don't want to be accused of animal cruelty or similar, let alone violating local law.

[oldpink]

Shadow is right on this one.
Only if you are out in the countryside, if it's actually legal, only if you are certain that the cats are feral and not simply neighbors' kitties out roaming, and especially if you are not seen doing it by any of your neighbors...EVER.
Where I used to live, I had all those criteria met, but I only killed one, and that was because he had been killing our own cat's kittens.
I let him have it with the 12 gauge when I finally spotted him sneaking around the planter.
If you really want to do this kind of thing, and that cats really are that much of a menace, your Blue Steak will get the job done.
1) Give it the full eight pumps
2) Use good pellets, either domed (JSB Exact, Crosman Premier, H&N Baracuda), hollowpoint (I would recommend only the Crow Magnum for your caliber), or the ultimate pellet, the JSB Predator https://www.pyramydair.com/product/predator-polymag-20-cal-13-grains-pointed-150ct?p=545
3) Do NOT use the cylindrical Benjamin pellets, since they don't really expand https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-cylindrical-20-cal-14-3-grains-pointed-500ct?p=161
4) Go strictly for brain shots.

Again, you are treading upon very controversial and legally murky ground in this area.
I can definitely say that feral cats are a growing problem, mainly due to the immense damage they do to local wildlife populations.
Something must be done eventually, but there are lots of people so ill informed on the subject that they would have a cow if you shot a cat who was clearly rabid at the time.
What's worse, those same people vote.

[straycatkid]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. To respond to some of your concerns, there's no question that these animals don't belong to anybody. Over the past couple of years these wild cats have been fornicating quite a bit it seems and now they're all over the place. Messing around with some gardens, birds, and just a nuisance all around.

Not too crazy about breaking some law to dispatch a few critters, though. Although, the way the properties around here lie, there's pretty much no way anybody could see anything. Maybe if I catch one of them giving me the evil eye or something, I'll give him what for - otherwise I may just let it be. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to call the town and see if they'll set some traps.

Thanks

[The Knot]

Feral cats out at night after midnight are fair game in my book and head shots surfice they reproduce like rabbits and wipe them out just as fast .They desimate all songbird nest in the area and they are nobodys pet . I'am knot saying there open game but as i see it no collor after hours or deep in the woods it's your call . Right now theres 2 ferals slowly moving in on my friends and mine's baby chicks over at the coop if i catch them in the act i will protect my chickens which to me are my pets . I lose enough to raccoons and foxes while i work and sleep and theres a pride of ferals that move closer every year . In my town over 100 run free and it shows if you spend enough time to care and look . As for people who let pets run free what about the ones hit by cars is that a way for a pet  to be treated they know no better and it's bound to happen do we knock on there door and say hey this is careless pet abuse NO . I don't hate cats but i have no love for the smell of feral wet in my flower beds and garden where i work bare handed , then again who dose . And if you do build them a sand box in your yard and keep track of them please JMO but 2 pumps as a deturant is worse than killing them just like injuring a treerat they don't deserve a rotting piece of lead in them

[Mebits]

Knot-- Two pumps in my Sheridan leaves the barrel at about 275 fps, MAX. In .177. Not enough heat at impact to break the skin, especially through fur. Aim for a nice big fleshy haunch spot. You're not going to do much more than sting and startle.

I do advise that folks make sure their gun is shooting no hotter than they think it is. I'm no fan of cruelty, wanton or not.

[Gary]

While I agree with shadow it is your call and if you decide to go for it  follow the 3s's, shoot, shovel,and shut up.
Gary

[Lochlainn]

I wouldn't shoot them. While most of them are probably feral there might be a few that actually belong to someone. I know our cats get out of the house once in a while, much to our dismay (and they are indoor cats) and might be gone for a day or two.  Would be shame to kill someone's cat by mistake.

[only1harry]

I really don't like the idea of shooting cats, because I know my cat run out a few times although she was an indoor cat.  When she was young she 'd run out the door quickly before we can close it, but it was not often.  It happens a lot with people's indoor cats.  One time she came back with her collar missing, and it seemed she had gotten into a fight with another cat or animal.  I would hate for someone like you to shoot my cat or someone's pet cat because that day you decided to start shooting "feral" cats.  I know most of the time you know which ones they are, but you never know. 
My neighbor across the street had 10-15 cats up until a few years ago before she passed away, but they were all outdoor cats.  She never put a collar on them, which admitedly is her fault.  She was one of those old ladies with a lot of cats but not like 50 or 100 or anything.  Anyway, her cats were getting on my nerves sometimes too, but she was a neighbor and those were her cats, and shooting them was not legal anyway.  Check your town and state laws, because shooting of feral cats or dogs could be illegal.  Cruelty to animals is usually a misdemeanor and sometimes a D Felony, so be very careful!  People have been slapped with that charge for shooting and injuring possum and squirrel (or out of season, etc.).  Definitely call your town and ask to borrow a trap/cage.  They will come and pick them up and take them to the pound.  And whatever you decide to do, keep it to yourself, like Gary said - the 3 S's.
 
BTW, your GTA name is sort of incriminating too.  All it's missing is an avatar with a dead cat in it 

[straycatkid]

Heh, wow I forgot about the username during this thread - I'm just a big Brian Setzer fan, honest!

[oldpink]

Setzer rocks big time, but Only1harry pretty much gave you the definitive answer on this one.
My folks' indoor cats regularly squirt out the door any chance they get, and my folks would need the reflexes of a mongoose to stop them.
The stupid cats wander around for a few hours before begging to come back in, and they could easily be mistaken for feral.
They also don't have collars, since they balk like crazy at them.

[straycatkid]

I would never want to mistakenly shoot at someone's cat, that's for sure. Thing is, no one in the area has an indoor/outdoor cat that roams the woods.

[Mebits]

I, for one, am NOT accusing you of being wanton or careless nor cruel.