Dealing with wild animals in distress

[rydesteel]

Lot's of good advice here. A single shot 410 is inexpensive and will also shoot a 41Long Colt, or slugs. Do check with the DNR about shooting deer though. In IL it's against the law, carries a big fine and they could even confiscate property. MO might be different I don't know.

[Blue Jays]

Had rabies shots in early-1990s due to possible rabies exposure and docs didn't wish to take any chances. I seem to recall it was two shots per arm spread over a few weeks. Felt like a flu vaccine or similar. No big deal, really.

[monadnocky]

If it was distemper, you would smell it a mile away, especially with raccoons. Trust me, you would know. The smell is beyond belief and unforgettable.

I'm surprised that the officials don't care about distemper; around here (NH) it's a reportable disease because it goes through dogs like wildfire and it's awful.

I'm still betting it was rabies. I've never seen a distemper raccoon drag it's hind legs before. The most prevalent symptom is foul diarrhea.

[Mabouya]

Thanks for the info. He definitely did not smell and did not have diarrhea.

[monadnocky]

Regardless, impressive that you were so comprehensive in terms of follow-up. Great that you communicated with your doc.

[Mabouya]

Well, there's no perfect solution to my problem, but I've decided to take the first step down the path to being a full-bore gun nut. I haven't actually bought one of these yet, and need to swing by Cabela's to check them out in person, but I've started to get the various stuff needed to be a responsible gun owner.

Ruger 10/22 Model 1256 (plastic stock, stainless receiver and barrel). I think it's a good choice for a newbie.

It turns out that they're made in NH, about 35 miles from where I went to college, which makes it even more appropriate.


Ruger® 10/22® Carbine Autoloading Rifle Model 1256

[rydesteel]

Louis do a search for customizing a Ruger 10/22 ;>). It's a slippery slope once you start but they can be tack drivers and wont look a thing like the one you just posted.

[Mabouya]

Louis do a search for customizing a Ruger 10/22 ;>). It's a slippery slope once you start but they can be tack drivers and wont look a thing like the one you just posted.

Hi Frank - that's one of the things that caused me to conclude that the Ruger's a good choice - lots of options to tweak it in any number of different directions, if that's what you like.

[monadnocky]

I love me my 10/22. It's a ton of fun, can't think of a better rifle for so many things. Cheap. Love to bring it to the indoor range. The aftermarket for it is enormous.

[randonneur]

Up here, before getting a firearm, one needs to take a 1- to 2-day course which covers proper handling and safety, storage, etc. Might not hurt to see if there similar courses on offer near to you.

[Mabouya]

Up here, before getting a firearm, one needs to take a 1- to 2-day course which covers proper handling and safety, storage, etc. Might not hurt to see if there similar courses on offer near to you.

No such thing here, unless you want to do concealed carry or hunt (as a card-carrying Liberal and a vegetarian, I have zero desire for either one of those) but I agree that it's a good idea. I've already contacted a local indoor range and will schedule a few hours of training with them. They have group classes, but I think some one-on-one will be just as affordable ($75/ hr vs $250 / group class) and give me more bang for my buck (so to speak).

It was on sale at Gander Mtn, so I've already purchased some CCI ammo (and a lock for the cabinet in which I plan to put the magazines and the ammo) but I also want to get some dummy rounds so I can practice loading and unloading the magazines and the rifle. Ruger says that you can dry-fire the 10/22, but doing so with dummy rounds probably isn't a great idea, they're rimfire and will be damaged by the firing pin.

I also need to get a cable lock for the rifle itself. Master makes one with a plastic sleeve around the steel cable that will work. Of course, I also have a mongo bolt-cutter with my tools down in basement that will surely be able to cut the cable lock and the lock on my cabinet, but I figure it's still a good idea to lock them down.

Then I need to get stuff like prescription safety glasses, a soft gun case, etc. etc. I've found what I think is a good spot in my yard where I can do some target practice, with an ~10' earth berm behind it, but I still need to build a good bullet trap. (The commercially available steel ones make too much noise, so I'm going to use rubber mulch pellets.) I don't want to litter the place with lead.

All this is to say that I think I'm approaching the whole project as safely and methodically as I think is appropriate to the situation.

[monadnocky]

...All this is to say that I think I'm approaching the whole project as safely and methodically as I think is appropriate to the situation.

Believe me, you are better equipped compared to 99% of first-time firearm purchasers.... a breath of fresh air. Have fun with that 22. It's a great and fun and versatile little rifle.