GRAPHIC: What happens when a coon is shot with hollow points

[Impatient]

IMO the pic isn't graphic, but some may consider it so, hence the warning. My friend has a backyard flock that she let's free range, as we all know, this opens the door a bit more to predators and she's been having an issue with raccoons. Well her solution is trap and shoot with a .45mm hollow point, bit of overkill if you ask me. Me being the odd character I am asked for the body of her most recent "victim" because I really wanted to see what it looked like and try to reassemble the skull for educational purposes. If you find these things as interesting as I do, here's the pieces so far after boiling:

 

[barred2rock]

She needs to invest in a .22, a .45 ACP is more than a bit overkill. lol

 

[Chickassan]

You got alot of work to do buddy lol! I like her dedication to making something absolutely dead as quickly as possible though...don't ever get on her bad side.

 

[aart]

If you want to collect skulls, this is not the way to do it.
Course I am assuming what your educational goals might be.

 

[Impatient]

She needs to invest in a .22, a .45 ACP is more than a bit overkill. lol

Lol that's what's said, but to quote her "I don't do small caliber guns". Though I find my .9mm works just fine.

You got alot of work to do buddy lol! I like her dedication to making something absolutely dead as quickly as possible though...don't ever get on her bad side.

Oh yeah definitely , it honestly may not be possible to fully reconstruct, I think some of the lower jaws pieces scattered in her yard, but should be fun and interesting at least

If you want to collect skulls, this is not the way to do it.
Course I am assuming what your educational goals might be.

Oh I know plenty of places I could buy skulls and know several hunters if I wanted fresh non-destroyed ones, this just seemed like too much fun to pass up, I love puzzles and anatomy (I'm an artist by trade) . Plus what an awesome display piece for my mantle, unique to say the least.

 

[aart]

I love puzzles and anatomy

Me too.

Do take some pics as you progress and finish.
Might be interesting to color the edges of all pieces so they show up when you're done.

 

[Folly's place]

Overkill is the least of it! What a mess! My 22 does great, and doesn't scatter 'stuff' everywhere. If it's a diseased raccoon, that's not so good. Wonder what her fly swatter looks like? Mary

 

[aart]

Overkill is the least of it! What a mess!

For sure. I've never had to shoot a trapped animal,
but I'd be worried about damaging the trap even with a 22.

 

[Folly's place]

You put the tip of the barrel right between the wires of the trap; the varmit will face you, so it's easy to get a head shot. Blowing a big hole in the live trap with a big gun is not the best idea! Mary

 

[Impatient]

Me too.

Do take some pics as you progress and finish.
Might be interesting to color the edges of all pieces so they show up when you're done.

Definitely! Right now everything is soaking in a peroxide solution to whiten it and help dissolve the remaining tissues+sterilize it. Actually should be ready to come out soon and then I have to scrape everything with an old tooth brush and let it dry; may need another soak, but I won't know until after scrubbing and drying.