Just got done cleaning up a lot of blood, big male coon who isn't snooping around here anymore. My rat terrier went nuts and woke me up about midnight. The coon had no fear and wouldn't budge farther than a few feet away. Maybe because it was so big, I don't know.
The thing is huge, I may just weight it in the morning. But I'll rest easier knowing it's not getting my playpen full of silkie chicks or any of my other birds in the coop/yard tonight. It died maybe 20 ft from the playpen (it's covered with screening then a wood top over a tarp, including all the sides are covered) of chicks.
The only thing left to worry about is the cat. One of my toms jumped on him just as the bullet flipped him. Fur flew but I don't know who's it was and the cat has wandered off into the dark now. I was yelling at him trying to keep him off the coon while it was in the death throws so maybe he is sulking, he didn't look hurt. My outside dogs are penned so they couldn't get into the scurry and we locked my terrier in the bedroom so she couldn't dart out the door . She's only 7-lbs but doesn't realize she can't take on the world...lol
Will have to wait for daylight to see if any of my poultry was gotten, but I'm thinking he didn't get what he wanted and that's why he was refusing to leave. He sure is fat though, he's been eating good somewhere.
~Julie
Another one bites the dust !!!
I just found a large coon living under my decks, but we can't get to him. The deck is close to the ground just above my pool and he is close to my silkie coop. We are keeping an eye out for this guy. I'm glad you got him, they are such a pain in the but. I also have a groundhog that needs to go, he ate all my delphiniums down to the ground and several other plants, I think I need to learn how to shoot a gun, I'm the only one that sees him. He's so fat he's slow, but I only see him exiting the garden after he's done his damage.
Cathy
Years ago, I bought a large live trap, just for times like yours. I can't tell you how many times it has come in handy and has paid for itself over and over! You might want to get yourself one to keep around the house, because when you need one - you need it now! Cathy, if you get one and bait it, you'll probably have your coon by morning! Julie, if "the big one" has family, you'd start catching them, or anything else that thinks it would like to have a chicken dinner! ....It's a lot better than finding a coop full of dead chickens and baby chicks, and you'll sleep a lot better at night.
....It's just a suggestion. Good luck!! :)
~~ Glenda
I have a live trap, but the one I have was too small for him. I will have to check out another larger one, because I won't always be fortunate enough to have a shot . I like the wildlife, we live in the woods but there are limits. If they get a hen they will continually come back for another meal.
The neighbor lost several of his dogs to coon distemper a few years back. Since then I've never much cared for them crossing through my yard, it took away their "cuteness". I'm glad it was a male coon, a female this time of year would have meant near by babies I'm sure.
~Julie
I also have a live trap, but he's also to big for the trap, and he's very smart. I cut an apple and put on some peanut butter, he eats the food then back out.
Good job Julie the coon is gone...
Cathy, hope you get that coon the are bugers and will kill any thing and they like eggs too.. I was in girlscots and we were
camping ang they sneek in to trash and coolers and eat what
they feel like so trie an egg in the trap...
See if you get that coon soon...
Tracey
The best thing I've used to trap the coons was canned cat food.....Tuna
also eggs...break a few
I had to wire the can in the one trap cause the coon was so big he was taking the can with him
My hubby killed several coons last summer, after they killed several of our chicks. They got them through 1" wire.
This year he is after the groundhogs, before they eat the strawberries, again!
Just my opinion but if the purpose of trapping raccoons is to transplant them somewhere else ........ it is well documented that they need to be carried at least 200 miles to prevent them from returning. Anyone live trapping a raccoon really ought to kill them on the spot. If that is the end purpose .... you may as well use traps that kill. A live trap should be used for animals that will never come back to your place because they have been turned over to a society that cares for them ...... such as feral cats. Live trapping a raccoon is basically a waste of money and time. There are popular makes of traps like conibear or pan traps that will either kill or injure the trapped animal. The cost of gas required to carry a racoon 200 miles away is about $50 to $60 plus the 6 hours of driving. You'd have to have your head examined if that is your choice.
Great job people! I was asking the people across the road about raccoons and such. We live on a road with lots of farms. He said he hasn't seen a raccoon in years, he did have a problem with skunks until he caught someone releasing them near his property! We do have a snowy owl, plenty of hawks, falcons, vultures (I was told they don't bother live things), the occasional dog that got loose and of course coyotes. Bears are seen but are just going thru. I want to buy a gun just in case I need it or even talk my Dad out of one of his. What do you shoot a coyote with? I used to be a good shot and want to go to the rifle range to practice.
I was raised around them but whatever we shot we had to eat so I used it mainly for target practice except for woodschucks in the garden, those you could kill and not eat.
My live trap is large enough to catch a large beagle. One day I heard my oldest grandson (6 yrs old - HJ's son) yelling my name from behind the barn. I went to see what he was yelling about and when I got there, I found him trapped in my live trap. .....Sure wish I had my camera handy. He looked so cute.... and pitiful. :) Best thing I've ever caught! lol
A trap that will kill and injure might be a liability if a dog or cat strayed into it. I think I'd rather use a live trap, make sure it was a coon, and then humanely shoot it.
LoraK
My X tried to get me to use his arsenal.....
He has sweet 16's,3030 ,22's and lord knows what else
When it came time for me to shoot a fox,aside from not REALLY wanting to,yet knowing I have to,I lift,I aim,and ....nothing
I was so flustered I hadn't taken the safety off
this happened 3 times.......
And you can't beleive how bad your shoulder hurts when the dang things kick back
I don't need no stinking safety...LOL
He finally went out and got me a 20 gauge,single shot
nice and light
Drop the shell in,close,aim,shoot
click a lever,gun opens,shell pops out,throw a new one in
There are different shells,its all in what you feel best with while practicing .......
I haven't missed yet
Thanks I used to pick off woodchucks with a 22 rifle (with a lever action for quick shooting). I have never shot a shotgun I will ask around to see who has one and try it. I am not a wafer thin model-type so I think I can handle just about anything.
Does it make a mess? Though I think I would rather make a mess than let it run off and suffer.
Thanks for the info!
Nope
no mess
Heck
I even gave the fox carcasses to a taxidermist
I have to get a trap now coons or the guys next to us will take
my eggs. They have been eyeing them eggs or my chickens.
Tracey
I agree with shooting them, I'm just a pansy and don't know how to shoot a gun. DH shoots them when he sees them, but that's the problem, he's always working. We live near one farm and people are always dropping off there animals near his house, thats terrible. The farmer has started shooting because he can't feed all the animals the people drop off. This spring the cats kept rolling in like crazy, cats with big litters.
My trap is probably a med size live trap, I've trapped one of my own cats several times. You would think they would get the hint and stay out.
LOL, I know what you mean I have two outside cats and they just can't resist treats in the live trap.......
~Julie
Beth in Scio, If you catch the neighbors miniature French Poodle that was in the finals at last years Westminster Show .... I'd recommend you dig a hole and clam up. For those of you in NH who haven't seen a raccoon in years ...... well if you're out at night just keep your eyes open. The entire USA is prime real estate for the raccoon. They like running water (generally need streams for habitat). They are famous for cleaning up after the dog has his fill. Kelly