Conversations with Coons

[Biddybot]

Ditto. I'm appalled that your raccoon visitor allowed you to walk close enough to smack him with a broom. Not normal. I did go close enough to a big raccoon once to break a rake handle over its back, but that was only because I found it on top of one of my outdoor rabbit pens just after sunset back when I raised meat rabbits. I also had three dogs back then and two of them jumped in and did their job once the coon was on the ground and killed it. I wouldn't have taken the risk of knocking any raccoon down anywhere near me if it weren't for the dogs being there.

I also live next to a protected wilderness area. I understand the desire to live cheek and jowl next to our fellow creatures. I also know that the more one tries to become familiar with certain species, the more potentially dangerous they can become. A different protected wilderness area in my province was the site of the so-far only known adult fatality due to coyotes, a young woman who was attacked and mauled by several animals who had become overly habituated to humans. They too had been observed beforehand to be behaving in an abnormally 'tame' fashion. I daresay they might have allowed you to just walk up to them as well.

I wouldn't mess with a 'tame' raccoon anymore than I'd mess with a 'tame' coyote, bear or lynx, but...whatever...

 

[Folly's place]

Over many years, and many disasters, we've built that Ft. Knox coop, and had many fewer issues with the wildlife here with our flock. However, any raccoon who's not afraid of me is dangerous, and not safe to have hanging around. We have traps, and a 22g, and a solution for them. The sick neurological raccoon I shot in our barn a few years ago was tested, and had abcesses in his brain; not rabies or canine distemper, but a horrible fatal illness anyway. I did him a favor.
We do have rabies around here, and more than usual this year. I'm careful!
Mary

 

[MissChick@dee]

Thanks for the concern, but I am doing what I need to already. Let me clear some things up. The best way to deter a raccoon, according to experts, is one-on-one. We ran him off. Got a couple good swats in. If he comes back, the dogs will let us know and we will have another conversation with Mr. Coon.

If he were rabid, he wouldn't have left. I see the neighborhood raccoons every night just about. I see them sitting right next to cats (the cats unbothered and accustomed to them) and outside people's front doors. I swear they think they are pets around here because people love to leave food out. He wasn't afraid of me until I went after him because he knows most people are kind here. Now we have established i'm not so nice when you mess with my hens. Not every wild animal is a monster, and we are taking precautions to make sure they don't start getting bad habits.

Additionally, it is illegal for me to trap and release him. It is illegal for me to kill him without a hunting license. It is illegal to discharge a firearm in a residential area. It is illegal to drown him. It is illegal to poison him. It is illegal to do anything to a raccoon unless you are a professional with a permit. And there are about 1000 more in the area anyway. Our local pest removal guys have permits to humanely trap and relocate after inspecting for disease. If the raccoons are rabid, they are humanely euthanized using co2. Any method besides humane euthanasia is illegal. I'm not naive or "new". I know the laws where I live and respect them. Florida actually vaccinates raccoons for rabies in problem areas, believe it or not, and prevents relocation of diseased animals. I love my state.

My chickens were originally free to roam the yard 24hrs a day and their "coop" was nothing put some 2x4s hung between some pallets. Of course a raccoon found them. That's my fault.

My chicks were in a run that is now being repurposed for the whole flock. It is predator proof and the chicks were all safe from the raccoon. We are building a new hen house inside to accomodate the big girls. Everyone is fine. Predators can't dig under and the locks are raccoon-proof. Stop acting like I'm doing nothing just because I didn't shoot the raccoon. I haven't lost a single chicken. I don't do drama and I didn't ask for opinions.

Uh huh...it’s all good till it’s not.

 

[roosterhavoc]

You should shoot the raccoon and make a fancy hat out of his coat.

 

[roosterhavoc]

All kidding aside there have been plenty of people like you that don’t really think raccoons are a big deal.
With all the feed your neighbors and you are giving them I find it odd this one was still after your chicken? How do you know it was a male anyway? Did you pick him up and look? Did he lift his leg?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Great idea @roosterhavoc!
You could dip it in skunk juice and sell it on eBay.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Great idea @roosterhavoc!
You could dip it in skunk juice and sell it on eBay.

No way the skunk juice is worth way more than the hat!

 

[SilberHenne]

All kidding aside there have been plenty of people like you that don’t really think raccoons are a big deal.
With all the feed your neighbors and you are giving them I find it odd this one was still after your chicken? How do you know it was a male anyway? Did you pick him up and look? Did he lift his leg?

I'm not the one feeding him. We keep the feed locked in our shed and don't leave trash out. This is the first he has been in the yard, since the chickens have been fine before this. Females typically never weight 30+ pounds and it's too late in the season for it to be a pregnant female. Males are taller and thicker. They're mischievous animals. Hungry or not, chickens are fun to chase. He couldn't even catch one properly. I've been locking the chickens in at night since the incident, so it's non-issue now.

 

[Biddybot]

See, your experience is a perfect and sad example of what can happen when some people in a neighbourhood think it's fun and kind to start feeding the local wildlife. They never consider that not everyone might appreciate a visit from a tame raccoon/skunk/fox whatever and you can't blame the animal for being unable to determine in advance who's going to be likewise welcoming or at least tolerant, like you, and who's going to resort to using lethal methods to get rid of what they see as a mere pest or threatening predator. A lot of places have the same legal restrictions about 'doing it yourself' as your community evidently does. But don't kid yourself. There are plenty of ways to work around the law. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't at least one pissed-off neighbour near you right now who's already had it with the friendly raccoons scattering his garbage and who's resorted to setting out warfarin-laced food and bowlfuls of antifreeze to 'take care' of his visitors. A crossbow used at night followed up with a little nocturnal 'gardening' can also do the trick. I wish people would think about such things before they start trying to entice wildlife close to their homes and teaching them to see all people as kind and benevolent sources of food. It's one thing to tame and habituate a chickadee. Quite another when it's a naturally inclined predatory animal that could tear one's pets and livestock apart, if pressed by hunger or simple curiosity.

I'm actually fine with setting out food for wild animals under certain conditions--and it's fun to observe such sites from a distance--but such food needs to be put out far enough away from human habitation so the animals don't form associations with humans that may wind up doing them far more harm than good in the long run. The classic sad example of how it can go wrong if one insists on a too familiar, hands-on approach is the deer who's learned to approach people directly for a tasty apple or other handout and who will take food from your hand...an understandable thrill that would delight anyone. Then the same animal approaches a hunter... In retrospect, how was this in any way, shape or form fair to the deer? How could you expect them to possibly know any better?

Well, if nothing else, your 'conversations' with your local raccoons have certainly sparked some interesting human conversation! I hope your chickens continue to stay lucky and please, no more smacking with brooms! Grab a handful of gravel and pelt them from a distance. That's a lot safer way to 'see off' raccoons...

 

[Stepnout]

Here is what can happen when you chase a racoon with a broom! No more needs to be said!