We ate a coon that was systematically going through our favorite ducks, when we lived in Washington State. I blanched it, stuffed it, and roasted it. I didn't think it was very good, but then I had had to smell the blanching process and it was a turn-off. We gave the rest to some friends, who ate it and liked it.
predators are destroying my flock!
I would have to be awfully hungry to eat a coon.
I don't intend to relocate those coons close to any human settlement's. We have a lot of timber country about 30 miles from here, which is Mt Hood, and hopefully, that's where they will stay.
I hate the thought of killing them. Just makes me sick. But, I am so tired of waking up in the morning to find blood, feathers and mayhem too.
After my hen house is built, I think the coons will move on. They have had so many chicken dinners that they just stay here. And, now I understand we have a new generation of chicken thieves. I wish they would just go away.
cs
You'll be fine with the relocation. I have heard this "30 mile" rule over and over. I think it is an urban legend UNLESS you relocate a momma who has babies hidden nearby in a tree trunk. In most states, it is illegal to relocate unless you're licensed, which is dumb. I, like you, have lots of good Racoon wilds nearby and have never had a 'repeat offender.' Marking them helps make sure of this. Make sure where ever you drop them off there is water nearby - they need that to wash their food and will probably head back your way if there's no close water.
As for trouble for existing coons, Darwin has a theory about that . . .
If 15 -20 coons can live on a little plot of land, there should be plenty of room in the woodlands nearby.
Also, be ready for spring, which is peak carnage season for us. The mommas have babies and go after EVERYTHING. We have them in our fish pond, pulling up our veggies and trying to break into the coop. Relocating during this time is a problem b/c it's either the mother you caught (in which case there are 5+ babies squirreled away somewhere) or a baby which is just learning to fend for itself. If you catch a baby, put it in a cage next to the trap and see if you can trap the whole family. Worked for us last year!
Thank you vnickdd.
I can only hope the relocation will work and yes there is water there. Lot's of it.
But, yesterday morning a neighbor told me I have a new problem.
A Cougar walked right through the front yard of where I live. That's right next to the rotten trailer court where I used to live. Obviously, this animal isn't afraid of human's and that is very scary to think about.
Earlier in the Summer, people were reporting sightings of Cougar's and to darn close to the grade school. Kids weren't allowed to walk home--parents had to come pick them up or they went home on the bus. That's how close that cat came.
In the meantime, I am going to have to real careful about going out after dark. I knew I had a young Cougar right next to my residence last summer. Never seen a Coon move that fast so I knew it wasn't what every one said it was.
What else is going to try to kill or steal my chicken's? I swear I have run the gauntlet of predator's both 4 legged and 2 legged.
cs
Newspaper report here this week said a mountain lion had killed three show goats. One was pulled in half. Mountain lions have never been reported in this area before.
He also walked right into a small community. They have a gas station and post office.
In a country with over 300 million people, attacks by cougars are very rare. But tens of thousands of people are killed in auto crashes every year. Those kids would probably be safer walking home.
Good point!