Back to topic, the farm currently has a Remington 7-something (one of those plasticky ones they change the model # on every two years) in 243 tucked in the porch for coyotes in the yard. A loaded magazine on the top shelf to comply with the ammunition nearby requirements of 'temporary' storage for farm use, and out of the reach of grandchildren. A Winchester 37A single shot 20 gauge is slightly less accessible, but comes into play frequently when our black and white striped neighbours wander over and into the chicken house. Number six lead shot works well at close range.
Prior to the 243's existence, I can remember when an old sportered Lithgow SMLE sat behind the door. My parents had guests over, one of which was rather fond of animals, bordering on animal rights activist at times. Drinking a morning coffee, he points out the kitchen window and says 'oh look, a fox!'. Dad was out the door in a flash and blasted it off the hay bale it was sitting on at just over 100 yards with the old open sighted war horse. He didn't come back for a while after that....
And to the guy who suggested running out the door shouting and waving to scare off farm pests, that's all well and good until they come back the next night, and the next, and the next, etc.... And I challenge you to try that one on a Spring skunk too....
