dispatching a coon

[mikeksfarmer]

Drowning may be the most viable method when you live where guns are not allowed. Even if you could use guns, a 22 may not kill right away.
When you pick up that trap with the Raccoon in it, he is already breathing hard and excited. When you drop it into the pond he will be way more excited. There is little pain in suffocation and the excitment level makes it pretty quick. Its way more "humane" than shooting him and letting him run off.
I am glad you have compassion for the animal. I hope we all respect the humane rights of the animals even when we have to kill them. There is no shortage of raccoons in the world. It might help to find a way to make the cat feeder just a cat feeder.

 

[AHappychick]

oh the cat bowl will be brought in at dusk. normally it is empty by night fall but that day there was a little left as I had fed them later. I try not to leave anything out that is edible overnight around the house normally.

It did seem to struggle for a while I dont think it was that quick honestly I went back a few minutes later and it was not yet gone. I just dont think killing anything is ever that quick and painless I even question when I snip off the heads of my quail for processing. I know the brain stem is severed but still.... either way its done cant go back no and probably wouldnt if I could.

my posts today on the other hand may be a bit nastier than normal as I go through my funk

 

[PandoraTaylor]

I love all animals too. But I would have gotten rid of it also.
I have always had a no hunt on my property rule, I live in the country and enjoy the wildlife. Since getting the chickens I have had to rethink my position. There are many critters out here that would love a chicken dinner.

I have even fed the wildlife over the years......now there are traps in the yard......to keep the mink, weasle etc that I used to feed away from my new chicken coops.

I felt alittle bad about this, as I said I have always fed them and loved watching their playful antics. But now they are a threat to my livestock.

 

[MIKE555444]

It sad to have to do that but you have to protect your chickies

Hang tough... you did the right thing

 

[mdbokc]

I had a neighbor who, once he tightened up the food supply that the coons were in, experienced coon rage. They tore up the siding on his garage, attacked the siding on his house, attacked the windows on his home even while they were on the inside watching them. And the raccoons could just as easily see them. They have no fear. It wasn't until they had continually done a fair amount of physical damage that they took steps to eliminate them. All the nonviolent methods failed. Finally, he took them out, 8 of them. Eventually, he put up electric fence around his house and garage. When the next batch arrived, the electric fence worked.

I guess that while we focus on our birds, the raccoons can also do a tremendous amount of damage to property if they want to and are allowed to continue. Most of us act before that occurs.

 

[patman75]

I use a "Gamo Big Cat air rifle" for killing raccoons caught in live traps. The air rifle is quiet and is as powerful as a .22 up to 30 yards. And I dont have to worry about some crazy ricochet at such a close range. Ammo is really cheap too.

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
oh I will have to look into that. thanks.

 

[chickerdoodle]

This is a very difficult situation to be in and hope I never have to make such a decision. I feel your pain as I also would struggle with killing any animal. Its too late for you to go back and change things but I thought long and hard to prevent me from dealing with such an incidence. The first being no cat food outside to attract them--however, I cannot force my neighbor to not leave cat food outside (she only has outdoor cats). OK, so now I have to keep that in mind so what can I do next?--make plans for a Forte Knox coop which we did. Only 1/2 inch hardware cloth fastened carefully and often so their agile fingers and paws cannot reach in and grab a chicken. No loose nails, boards, etc. We have lots of raccoons here in the suburbs and already had to "raccoon proof" our fish ponds. We did this by making them all above ground, close to 3 feet deep with no shallow levels at all for them to sit and grab our very social, friendly fish. Oh, they tried to have "sushi" but had to give up probably quite frustrated. Its like preventing rat infestations--keep the food away and make it inhospitable for them. Its all about thinking about the entire picture before you build the coop or get the birds and what you have to do in order to protect your hens for your particular situation. Of course its hard to know everything that can happen and sometimes things go wrong no matter what you do. This is when you learn from that hard lesson and get creative about solving the problem to prevent it again. My advice is go back and think like a raccoon and fix what needs fixing to keep the buggers out of the henhouse.

 

[bald egg]

You did the right thing. You might be able to find a trapper in your area. This time of year the coons pelt might be worth a few dollars. Google fur buyer or look it up in the phone book. They may be able to put you in contact with someone that would be willing to remove Mr. coon and take care of him for you. Maybe an animal pest exterminator type of company could help remove him from your property. Or buy the pellet gun and drag the trap into the garage. Your neighbor won't notice an air rifle being shot. Good luck and keep your chin up.

 

[Ibicella]

I'm so sorry for your pain. You are a very kind and compassionate person. This was a bad position to be in, but you did the right thing and the best thing possible for you and the coon.

I really hope you feel better soon. Please take care.