While you are correct that rabies is not detectable by visual appraisal, where I live we are surrounded by lakes & mountains and have VERY few cases of rabies here. Furthermore as I tend to only move trapped animals 10 to 12 miles, I am not contaiminating a "new" area as these long stretches of countryside are all connected. Coons typically range over a 10 acre to several miles area so IMO moving a trapped animal over a range or so especially to the lakeshore does not necessarily "infect" or "overrun" an area. As to the legality of releasing wildlife - yes it is illegal to carry wildlife over state lines. Probably is illegal to simply move them as I do but I have never been warned not to yet. Possibly because I am the wildlife rehabber our local guys call!
Many of you disagree with my method but I urge you to think about it.... more and more area is being used for subdivision type home lots... more & more land is cleared for nonagriculture use. It is not unexepected that we see a rise in wildlife predition. As for me - I will kill an overly aggressive animal or one showing signs of illness - whether physical symptoms of distemper or possible signs of rabies or mange. Yes the signs of rabies can be varied or nonexistant, but IMO if the area is already infected with the virus - I am doing no harm moving an animal even if infected (and undetectable) a mere 8 to 10 miles. It is no different that re-releasing an orphan or injured animal brought to me by DNR after treatment. Coons & skunks can harbor the rabies virus for up to 6 mos. with no clinical signs.
Ultimately, my responsibility lies in preventing problems by keeping a secure coop (s) which I try to do - occaisionally I have a bright coon who gets through - so I trap. I was amazed at the number of potential predators I am trapping on my 24 acre farm. To me, that only shows that I do have mostly secure coops. However with the dry, hot temps & wih the number of ducklings dissappearing, I felt it was time to thin the predator poulation here.
I simply try to live in balance with the nature around me. I am not a bleeding heart nor am I am Rambo. I am somewhere in between and try to respect all life. To kill every animal I trap is not the answer as it only opens up territory for another animal to claim - it becomes an endless cycle. My goal is to remove the problem animal and allow natural selection to control the predator population. The only time I get involved is when the number of my livestock being killed is excessive due to weather (drought) or encrouchment. Normally I only am losing eggs and the occaisional baby duckling (free range birds) now and then an adult muscovy. I can live with that. But with the drought here this year the killing has been excessive that is why I am trapping.
I do encourage anyone trapping to verify your local laws. I also encourage you to take extreme care in your contact with any native wildlife - do your research & know what you are facing. Be sanitary & wash frequently.
I hope this better explains my thinking and why I do what I do. I know you all will not agree but this works for me.
