I need advice on dealing with a big fat murderous raccoon!

We have had the same problem with the coons stealing the bait and walking away. Some we have here I swear are at least 30 lbs plus. They are huge! To big for the live traps so they get in and thhe door can't shut so they back out with a free meal. Hubby and I live on the edge of a wooded ravvine, so coons are an issue.

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IMHO, while I respect your background and your training, I cannot agree with your anthropomorphizing viewpoint on this issue and yes, we will have to agree to disagree whether the mere presence of raccoons around my coop and run constitute a danger to my birds, my pets, and my family.

Here's what my state's Public Health Veterinarian has to say about raccoons as a public health risk, especially in their establishment of latrines in homeowner yards, wood piles, roofs, and therefore possibly in the vicinity of backyard coops and runs:

There are three major threats that urban raccoons present to people and pets:

Raccoon latrines and parasitic worms: Raccoons establish “latrines” near places where they get their food. If there is a consistent source of food, like pet food or garbage, then a family of raccoons might establish a latrine in a homeowner’s yard, wood pile or roof -- and regularly use that latrine for defecation. This is a serious problem because up to 70% of raccoons are infected with a roundworm called Baylisascaris procyonis. Infection rarely causes symptoms in raccoons but can be a serious health threat to people.

Raccoon droppings can carry millions of roundworm eggs that survive in the soil for years. People, particularly children, become infected by touching contaminated dirt or dust and then putting fingers in the mouth. Children’s sand boxes, vegetable gardens, wood piles, and other surfaces can also be contaminated with raccoon droppings and serve as sources of infection for people or pets. After the eggs are swallowed they hatch into larva that move to different parts of the body and can cause brain and eye damage and even death. Although this infection is rarely diagnosed, it is believed that many cases are not identified. Dogs also pick up the parasite. For more information see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol8no4/01-0273.htm.

Leptospirosis: This is a disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria that is spread by the urine of raccoons, rats, and some other animals. People and animals are infected when water or moist soil contaminated with urine of infected animals gets on their skin, or in the nose, mouth, throat, or eyes, or is swallowed. Dogs are especially at risk and may die from the disease. Leptospirosis may cause influenza-like symptoms, severe head and muscle aches, high fever, and in some cases serious liver and kidney problems.

Aggressive raccoons: Raccoons that become used to living around people lose their natural fear of humans and can be very aggressive. Public Health regularly receives reports of raccoons biting pets or people. In fact, in 2008, more than a dozen people in King County required a multi-shot course of anti-rabies vaccine because of raccoon bites, and dogs and cats were killed or maimed by aggressive raccoons. Providing food to raccoons makes them lose their inhibition and become more aggressive. It also increases the breeding rate, leading to unnaturally large populations of raccoons.

http://depts.washington.edu/hhpccweb/article-detail.php?ArticleID=461&ClinicID=9

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try making a small bait box out of hardware cloth and then wiring the bit box to the trigger on the trap

I had what I thought was a big rat getting some of my baby chicks as some was dead with bloody eyes and some missing so put one of those large animal traps in the house, (took chicks out)baited it with boiled eggs and about midinight went out and found a large raccoon who must have pushed and squeezed her way into the house.. At least she wont be back

This is getting repetitious, so this is my last post or check on this topic.

Calista and others:

The very report you cite, a report generated by those whose jobs depend "animal control" vs. environmental brainstorming, gives the same answers that I did.

Keep your garbage secure. Keep animal feeds secure. Don't leave food outside, especially at night. Securely pen chickens an adequate distance from the exterior 1/2 x 1" wire to be beyond reach. Electric fences if you still have problems. Vaccinate your dogs, teach your children not to eat dirt and to wash their hands, DON'T mess with raccoons (most of those bites were undoubtedly DESERVED!!!!)

Anthropomorphizing: a derogatory knee-jerk overused term to belittle anyone with human empathy. Developed during the time that scientists believed animals had no self-awareness, emotions, or felt pain. (The same period that physicians were demanding daily ice-water baths for newborns, infants, and children, and "scientists" were doing social deprivation experiments on human orphans.) We know better now. I'm not dressing up racoons in doll hats; I'm observing that they will fight to defend their young, like any good human mother. I am seeing that they need to eat to SURVIVE, and don't have freezers packed with goodies. I have handled orphaned and injured racoons since childhood; they are amazing creatures. Even if they WEREN'T, that doesn't give justification for taking life inhumanely or without extreme attempts to avoid it.

Raccoon "latrines"; clean up your food sources. You carry e-coli too, and guess where a lot of it goes?

Parasites: again, take proper care of your pets, livestock, and children, and it's not an issue. In most states one doesn't even need a vet for vaccines and wormers; they are available and legal through mail-order for owner-administration; distemper, lepto, parvo, etc.. In many states you can obtain rabies vaccine legally, although that does not hold in court as vaccinated if your dog bites a human (but you'll still know he is protected.)

Although racoons can carry other rabies variants, per CDC site earlier cited, there has been NO confirmed human case of rabies from raccoon variant.

The problem here is "MY" MY yard, MY animals, MY everything. Although raccoons are an introduced species, wildlife was here long before you. They can't go to the supermarket. The selfishness and greediness of humans is boundless, in many cases.

Humans are capable of compassion, and although raccoons are clever, we have a larger frontal cortex. A raccoon getting into your pen one time ought to show you where you need repairs. More than once, and it demonstrates faulty construction or planning.

As to raccoons being "VICIOUS" when cornered, who is anthropomorphizing now? Thank goodness they fight for their lives. "VICIOUS" is putting a trapped animal in water to drown, or feeding it poison.

How can you "love" your chickens, and despise all other life? I cannot understand this, and I'm sick at heart that blameless animals are subject to cruelties. I hope you are in a position to learn from fear and pain one day, so that you may understand that creating terror and suffering is inexcusable.

I love having chickens. I am fond of them, and it is my RESPONSIBILITY to keep them safe. And I DO--with my brain and hands, not chemicals or bullets.

Calista: your (by-line?) about chickens with teeth means something---it refers to usually unwarranted fear of things outside your knowledge or comfort zone. Very appropriate.

I swear to you, they are not monsters. They are small, intelligent mammals with emotions and a will to live, just like you. You take precautions from mosquito bites; raccoons are less of an infectious threat to your and yours. Don't let fear-mongering press convince you that YOU are in danger from all other life-forms.

SHARE THE PLANET.

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Will try that and see if it works. Haven't seen a coon for 2 nights. May be to hot, live in central Ill and we are still under the heat dome.

DP traps will catch cage wary animals too HTH

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Enough.