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We've worn out the bb guns, which shoo's them away for a few minutes, until you go back inside. They scatter when I come outside... and stop just outside bb gun range... which is about 40-50 yds for mine.

They are just overpopulated, no two ways about it.

there is no animal control out here. We trapped a few in the past but they won't go near traps anymore. I think this year's problem is that the coyotes haven't been keeping them thinned out as well as past years... and they've had about 6 litters this year that I know of. (I don't mind them when the numbers are low as they keep snakes and rodents away from my house as well.

They do get fed some from neighbors that feel bad seeing starving cats. As for shelter- they stay under/in sheds, barns, deer blinds, and in a couple natural caves around here.

Shooting them is a last resort. Maybe my posting that it's a good excuse for a new rifle made it sound "sporting"- that wasn't my intent.

I forgot to mention that trapping is indeed a great solution- to the first 1 or 2 cats... these cats have all seen the trap and won't go near it even with fresh tuna in it.

First of all, yes we live well out of any city limits, second, we also have had cats as pets.

I'm talking about FERAL cats, at a population level that is unhealthy and causing issues for the PEOPLE living here is what I'm talking about... not shooting some neighbor's cat. Imagine 30+ cats (many sick and starved down) living right around your house that are wild, none have ever seen a vet and the fleas are so bad you and your family are not able to go outside in your own yard, not to mention the stench of the feces and urine so strong that you almost puke each day as the temp warms up. And then there is night time- when the love fest is so loud you can't sleep in your own bed with ear plugs.

I don't judge others here when they want to shoot a person for breaking into their cars- yet I have a legitimate concern for my family's health and I'm some trigger happy yahoo?? Good grief. If I had just said racoons, or something no one would bat an eye. Welcome to the country, where not everyone has a HOA and animal control at the other end of the phone to dispose of your problems.

Thanks for few serious responses.

I have a problem with feral cats... yes, lots of them. I am also opportunistic in that I have decided this is a good enough excuse to purchase a fun little target shooting rifle. I did a little research and think I have decided on a 22 mag. I have a 22lr but don't feel like it's enough for cats and coons, out to 100 yds. I considered the 17HMR but read too much on how prairie dogs were crawling away so I think critters up to 20 lbs or so deserve something larger. I'm hesitant to go centerfire for this as I don't want a large mess to clean up after each shot.

What do you think? Is a 22 mag a good choice or have I missed something better?