Net Guns for Livestock: Catching Escaped Goats, Calves, Hogs and Foals
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A net gun for livestock gives ranchers and farmers a way to catch a loose animal without chasing it, roping it, or cornering it against a fence. When a goat is loose on a county road or a calf has slipped through a gap in the fence, the window to recover it safely is short. This guide covers what a handheld net gun can realistically catch on a farm, and what it cannot.
Quick Answer: Can You Use a Net Gun on Livestock?
Yes. A net gun catches escaped livestock at 15 to 25 feet without roping or cornering the animal. Handheld CO2 models firing a 10 by 10 foot net work well on goats, sheep, calves, hogs, foals, and poultry. They are not rated for full-grown cattle, bulls, or horses, which require a different class of equipment.
Why Do Herding and Roping Fail on Escaped Livestock?
Herding and roping fail because a panicked animal does not behave like a penned one. Once an animal is loose and adrenalized, the normal pressure and release cues that move it through a chute stop working.
A loose goat or calf runs in unpredictable arcs. It does not funnel toward a gate. Every person who joins the chase adds another source of pressure that pushes the animal further from the property.
Roping has its own problems in these situations. It requires you to get close, and on smaller stock a rope around the neck of a sprinting animal creates real injury risk. Chasing on foot or by ATV also drives the animal to exhaustion, which is where most capture injuries actually come from.
A net gun changes the geometry of the problem. Instead of closing distance, you stop at roughly 20 feet and end the chase in one shot. The animal is contained where it stands rather than run to the point of collapse.
What Livestock Can a Handheld Net Gun Actually Catch?
A handheld CO2 net gun handles goats, sheep, calves, hogs, foals, and poultry. It does not handle full-grown cattle, bulls, or horses. Being clear about that line matters more than making a sale.
Our launchers are handheld CO2 units powered by 16 gram non-threaded cartridges. The net travels up to 35 feet at maximum, with an effective capture range of 15 to 25 feet and an optimal shot distance of about 20 feet. All three of our packages fire the same distance.
| Animal | Recommended Net Size | Handheld CO2 Unit Suitable? |
|---|---|---|
| Chickens, ducks, guinea fowl | Small, 6 ft x 6 ft, 1 in mesh | Yes |
| Turkeys, geese | Medium, 8 ft x 8 ft, 2 in mesh | Yes |
| Lambs, kid goats | Medium, 8 ft x 8 ft, 2 in mesh | Yes |
| Adult goats and sheep | Large, 10 ft x 10 ft, 8 in mesh | Yes |
| Feral and domestic hogs | Large, 10 ft x 10 ft, 8 in mesh | Yes |
| Calves | Large, 10 ft x 10 ft, 8 in mesh | Yes |
| Foals | Large, 10 ft x 10 ft, 8 in mesh | Yes |
| Full-grown cattle, bulls | Not applicable | No |
| Adult horses | Not applicable | No |
For cattle, bulls, and adult horses, the realistic options are a portable panel corral, a livestock trailer set as a catch pen, feed baiting, or a veterinarian with chemical immobilization. Commercial blank-powered net rigs used on large animals start around $3,000 and are a different tool class entirely. We do not sell those.
If you want the full breakdown of where the line sits, read our guide on what size animal a net gun can actually catch.
How Far Away Should You Stand From Loose Livestock?
Stand about 20 feet back. That is both the optimal shot distance and a safe working distance from an animal that may charge or bolt.
Twenty feet matters for more than accuracy. A defensive hog or a protective mother goat can close short distances fast. Standing at rope range puts you inside the animal's reaction zone before you have any control of the situation.
Positioning Tips That Improve Your Odds
- Approach from the side or slightly behind, not head-on.
- Fire when the animal is stationary or moving slowly, not at a full sprint.
- Keep the wind at your back where you can. Crosswind pushes a large net off line.
- Plan on the shorter end of the range with the large net. Small nets fly farther than large nets.
- Have a second person ready with a halter, lead, or crate before you fire.
Handling speed is the part most people underestimate. Get to the animal quickly, control the head, and free the legs. New users should walk through our step-by-step safe use guide before the first live capture.
Why Is Livestock on a Road an Emergency?
Livestock loose near a highway is a life-safety emergency, not just a property problem. A calf or hog on a dark road at night is a collision waiting to happen, and the liability usually lands on the owner.
That urgency is the strongest argument for keeping a net gun ready. Building a temporary corral takes 20 to 45 minutes and several people. Baiting an animal into a trailer can take hours and does not work on a spooked one.
A net gun turns that into a single shot from 20 feet. On a shoulder or in a ditch with traffic coming, minutes matter.
Keep the Kit Staged and Ready
Store the launcher, loaded net heads, and CO2 in one case near the truck. Every reload costs time you may not have, so multiple preloaded heads matter more on a ranch than anywhere else.
That is why most ranch buyers choose our best-selling net gun, the Platinum Package at $949. It ships with 4 preloaded net heads, 4 additional reusable nets for 8 total, 12 CO2 cartridges, extra net weights, a locking metal carrying case, and a 1 year parts replacement warranty.
Which Net Gun Package Makes Sense for a Farm?
For most working operations, the Platinum Package is the practical choice because it arrives with CO2 included and enough loaded heads for a real incident. All three packages use the same launcher and fire the same distance, so price differences reflect what is included, not performance.
| Package | Price | What Is Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Pack | $799 | 1 preloaded net head, choice of net size, no case, CO2 sold separately | Hobby farms and single-animal risk |
| Standard Package, the Hero | $849 | 4 preloaded net heads, extra net weights, locking metal carrying case, CO2 sold separately | Small farms wanting multiple shots ready |
| Platinum Package | $949 | 4 preloaded heads, 4 extra nets for 8 total, 12 CO2 cartridges, extra weights, locking case, 1 year parts warranty | Working ranches and daily-use operations |
Shipping is free domestically and internationally. Allow up to 14 business days to ship, or 2 to 3 weeks for international orders. If you only need one loaded shot on hand, the Starter Pack covers it. If you want multiple shots and a case without the extra nets, the Hero is the middle option.
Net size is a checkout decision, and customers can mix sizes across net heads. Most ranches carry a mix of medium and large. Our guide on matching net size and mesh to the animal explains why an oversized mesh lets smaller stock slip through.
Common Questions About Net Guns for Livestock
Can a net gun catch a full-grown cow?
No. A handheld CO2 net gun is not suitable for full-grown cattle, bulls, or adult horses. Those animals are too heavy and too strong for a 10 by 10 foot net to hold. Use portable panels, a trailer catch pen, or a veterinarian for those situations.
Will a net gun hurt my animal?
The net itself is a soft-capture tool with no projectile impact on the body, so injury risk is low compared to roping or a long chase. The main risks are entanglement stress and struggle injury, which drop sharply when you reach the animal fast and free the legs. Our post on whether net guns are humane covers this in detail.
Does a net gun work on feral hogs?
Yes, with the large 10 by 10 foot net at 15 to 25 feet. Hogs are within the size range a handheld unit handles. Keep your distance, since a cornered hog can charge, and never approach a netted boar alone.
How many shots do I get before reloading?
One shot per loaded net head. Each head uses one 16 gram non-threaded CO2 cartridge. Packages with 4 preloaded heads give you four shots before you need to refold a net, which is why ranchers rarely choose a single-head setup.
Is a net gun legal to own on a farm?
Net guns are generally not classified as firearms, but regulations vary by state and by intended use. Check your local laws before purchasing, especially regarding wildlife capture on your property.
What is the difference between a net gun and a catch pole for livestock?
A catch pole requires you to be within arm's reach, which is difficult with a panicked animal in open ground. A net gun works at 15 to 25 feet. Our net gun vs. catch pole comparison breaks down when each tool wins.
Get Set Up Before the Next Escape
Loose livestock does not schedule itself, and the operations that recover animals fastest in 2026 are the ones with a loaded launcher already in the truck. The Platinum Package is the ranch standard because it arrives ready to use with CO2, spare nets, and a locking case.
Compare options and browse our full net gun lineup, or start with the Net Gun Mega Pack if you want everything in one box. Free shipping on every order from TheNetGunStore.com.
