Hi SkunkHunter,
Thanks for the reply to my post. I was thinking the 17HMR, being quieter, might have less chance of waking people up. I have been giving a shotgun some thought too though. I was checking out the Benelli's on the internet just last night. A police officer I know from K9 training dispatched one with a shotgun not long ago. He said they were required to use the scatter guns. I have a deck over looking an area that I think I can call them into... a buddy, with a Benelli, and several rifles who is itching to help. The field I would call them to has a light on a telephone pole so I may be able to see well enough to make a shot.

Another K9 guy, who's dog works here on ocassion, told me that the city ordinances allow me to fire guns on my property. I'm sure there are conditions though.