had to kill a raccoon in our tree

[ruby]

My youngest came home just in time to see a raccoon climbing the tree to get the guineas. Larry and Moe live in the tree out side of the chicken pen. They prefer it up there. It's higher and they free range all day while the chickens are penned up. It was a quick climber, almost got the birds. But husband shot him and he went off into the woods. Sorry mother nature, had to protect my flock. ruby

 

[Mahonri]

How do you know he shot him if he went off into the woods?

Sounds to me like he scared him off... for the time being.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, I'd set out some traps. He'll be back. If he ran off, probably didn't get him too good.

 

[ruby]

I didn't see him after he fell out of the tree when my ole man shot him.But I think it might be a good idea to set one tomorrow night. My husband used a 410 he bought for me a couple of years ago. He is shot (three times w/birdshot) but ran into the woods when we started to look for him. One guinea fell out of the tree also, so I was more interested in making sure the bird was not shot too. My house in the middle of the woods, critters are not unusual here. The other guinea just stayed in the tree with his head under his wing! ruby

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, I bet he'll be back. I don't know how well bird shot will penitrate though a coons winter coat. But not sure if your coons get a 3 inch thick winter coat where you are!

 

[nnbreeder]

A .410 at close range should have flipped that coon out of the tree. That is what I use for close range varmit control. And by close range I mean 20 yards and under. It will leave a hole about a 1/2 inch in diameter.

 

[spook]

If your birds live in a tree, the coon may not be the only preditor...owls. Owls love free food, great dinners and if its just the 'coon your worried about, placing a electric fence around the base of the tree or that stuff that looks a lot like sheep fence that is electric.
Good for you and DH for shooting that dang thing, regardless to all of those that feel he is still alive...who knows, but for myself, I've never seen a lone coon. Grrrrrrrr!!