GOT HIM!! But there is another...

[Ridgerunner]

In most states, if not all, it is illegal to release a trapped animal on any property other than your own. If you can't deal with it yourself and depending on where you live, you might be able to get some help from animal control. For many people, it is worth a call.

One of my neighbors is a taxidermist. He only takes them if they are in winter pelt, but in the right season, you might try calling a nearby taxidermist to see of they will take the animal off your hands.

Someone recently posted where they give raccoons they trap to a neighbor that trains coon hunting dogs for training purposes.

I am also strongly against release for the reasons others have given. It is not like raccoons are an endangered species and they can be very dangerous to you. My top criteria when taking care of a trapped wild animal is to make sure neither I nor other people are hurt. People are more important than an animal.

 

[jak2002003]

I would release any predator and never kill a native wild animal. I would make sure I protected my chickens properly and not be surprised if a predator killed them if I did not take the time and money to make my run and coop predator proof.

If people don't have the time or money, they should not keep any animals if they can not provide the best care for them.

However, I would never release the predator onto someone else's property! I would find some wilderness for release.

I don't understand how inhumane some people can be....taking pleasure form killing.

 

[dainerra]

It is illegal to release a predator anywhere other than the exact place that it was trapped.

It is also highly cruel to release an animal in a new area. People who release animals professionally and are licensed do through checks of the area before releasing. They have to make sure 1) there is suitable habitat 2) what is the local population of that species? 3) are you a sufficient distance from the animals original territory?

The majority of animals released die a slow and painful death. If the habitat isn't suitable, then they won't be able to survive and will starve. If the habitat is suitable, then it stands to reason that there are already animals living there. Now, the new animal is forced to either fight for territory (can lead to serious injury and death) or find a new territory (leading to starvation and encounters with the highway and other dangers). If the new animal DOES succeed in establishing itself, it is by replacing an existing animal. Now THAT animal is the one in danger of starvation and death. If the roaming animal survives, most likely it is going to find easy pickings at someone else's property. Especially a coon that has discovered that people = tasty easy meals. Why would you work so hard to eek out enough to survive when you know that finding humans = garbage, animal feed, and easy chicken dinners?

It's not as easy as saying "predator proof your coop" Once a coon realizes that chickens are there, they can be relentless in their assault. Even the slightest reward of a few scraps of spilled feed is enough to keep their interest. Even if they never get in, they are spreading disease and parasites that can infect not only your animals but also humans. (there is a parasite in coon poo that causes blindness in humans). The constant presence of coons in the area at night can also be pretty upsetting to your chickens, even if they never get into the coop.

Also, by releasing animals in a new area, you are taking a HUGE chance of spreading disease. Not every location has the same parasites or is having a problem with disease right now. One sick animal can infect an entire region. A few years ago, people relocated some racoons from North Carolina to Ohio. Except OOPS one of them had been exposed to rabies. This resulted in a huge rabies epidemic that quickly spread over several STATES.

Given all of the options, it is MUCH more humane to dispose of any animal that you trapped.

edited by staff

 

[NovaAman]

I would have thought my coop was pretty darn secure, Jak. Hardware cloth and fencing on the run... But one weak spot, and BAM, lost all my silkies yesterday to a coon. Turns out now that this is a trap smart coon. It managed to eat the bait in the trap and not get caught. It was a pretty good size turkey leg... Now what do I do? Hmmm. I guess I will just let it go, and hope it doesn't find another weak spot that I don't know about.

Yeah right. I will set that darn trap again, only this time, I might add a little poison to the trap and tell my neighbor to keep his cat inside.

edited by staff

 

[slabcrappy]

I would have thought my coop was pretty darn secure, Jak. Hardware cloth and fencing on the run... But one weak spot, and BAM, lost all my silkies yesterday to a coon. Turns out now that this is a trap smart coon. It managed to eat the bait in the trap and not get caught. It was a pretty good size turkey leg... Now what do I do? Hmmm. I guess I will just let it go, and hope it doesn't find another weak spot that I don't know about.

Yeah right. I will set that darn trap again, only this time, I might add a little poison to the trap and tell my neighbor to keep his cat inside.

edited by staff

Sorry to hear that. Go after it!

I'm really sorry for the crap that this has stirred up. I understand where you all stand but most of you are not very gracious in your conversation. I have learned a very important lesson.

 

[bloonskiller911]

have you had any luck catching the other coon?

 

[slabcrappy]

I just did! This morning I checked the trap and I got another one, a much bigger one. This one will die.

 

[bloonskiller911]

i always keep setting my trap for a couple of weeks before i take it up, just to make sure nothing else is lurking around

 

[slabcrappy]

i always keep setting my trap for a couple of weeks before i take it up, just to make sure nothing else is lurking around

Good plan. I have a next door neighbor that does not cut his trees all the way to the ground. He has them cut about 10-15 feet from the ground so "the woodpeckers have something to do". These stumps attract carpenter ants, woodpeckers and racoons! they are living in this one cherry stump. I have seen multiple coons in this stump. I hope there were only 2, but I will continue to set the trap. I had snow crap scraps in it for the last week. I think after the first one got caught, the other(s) learned from its mistake. So, I ditched the crab and previous location and loaded it with mini-marshmallows and put it over by the compost bin.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Yes, your neighbor and millions of others are the reason coons rule suberbia...I will guess though as more people get chickens in the city and coons kill them, slowly they will become educated about their habits. You are to be commended about your safety with the use of firearms though...not many people think bb guns are firarms but guess what, anything include air guns fall under federal law and discharge of may land your butt in jail....how about a shovel to the head...bam! Lights out no pain at all....very humane.