How many coons could there be!!!!

[Wellbie]

So I've been cooning for the last 2 weeks. I have already caught 6 in like 10 days. Posted are pics of at least 4 more!!! This is not counting the 2 that have escaped the trap. I know pics aren't very good but this is talking pics of viewer with cell phone... I could become the next Daniel Boone/Davy Crockett!!!

 

[Folly's place]

Most places, raccoons have no real competition or predators to worry about, and are doing all too well.
Having a safe coop and run are essential, and no food left outside.
Good trapping!
Mary

 

[GC-Raptor]

So how many coons could there be!!!!

It looks like millions at your place, but hopefully not.
I am fortunate to have Coyotes and a Bobcat at my place.

As far as keeping the Raccoon population in check.
My chickens are in pens that are secure from the Fox, Coyotes, Bobcat and Possums that visit my property, but not Raccoons that are good climbers and can squeeze through a 3 1/2" gap.

Fortunately my coops are secure when I lockup after sunset.
But I had a Coon showing up several nights weekly climbing the coop and walking on the roof, distressing chickens and as a result egg production dropped off.

I caught and dispatched it.
I didn't see another Raccoon on cameras for 4 months.
So far this new Raccoon hasn't climbed the fence, or distressed the chickens, but if it does.
I lost my first chicken last April to a Fox around sunset.
First in 3 years of free ranging an hour before sunset daily.
I lost my second last month, same circumstance, but don't know if it was a Fox or Bobcat. They both have been caught on camera in daylight, Fox morning and around sunset.

So that's my fault for letting them out of their pen.
I hope you get your situation under control. GC

 

[cmom]

I don't see many coons here. We did have a very healthy coyote population but a neighbor gave some hunters permission to hunt on his land and since then I haven't seen many since so maybe they got some. He did have some dens on his property. Coyotes will take anything they can catch which includes, fox, coons, bobcats among other critters. Here they are on top of the food chain.

 

[Howard E]

To the OP, I know of one guy who setup a bait station for coons with the idea of concentrating them so as to make it easier to trap them when the fur trapping season started. When legal to do so, he set a bunch of traps and got 15 the first night. Had over 30 the first week. That from one location.

That is what happens when coons and other animals (including rats) have free and easy access to food. Setup a soup kitchen, and they will come.

 

[Kaesi2020]

It looks like millions at your place, but hopefully not.
I am fortunate to have Coyotes and a Bobcat at my place. View attachment 2226341View attachment 2226342
As far as keeping the Raccoon population in check.
My chickens are in pens that are secure from the Fox, Coyotes, Bobcat and Possums that visit my property, but not Raccoons that are good climbers and can squeeze through a 3 1/2" gap.View attachment 2226348
Fortunately my coops are secure when I lockup after sunset.
But I had a Coon showing up several nights weekly climbing the coop and walking on the roof, distressing chickens and as a result egg production dropped off.View attachment 2226355
I caught and dispatched it.
I didn't see another Raccoon on cameras for 4 months.
So far this new Raccoon hasn't climbed the fence, or distressed the chickens, but if it does.
I lost my first chicken last April to a Fox around sunset.
First in 3 years of free ranging an hour before sunset daily.
I lost my second last month, same circumstance, but don't know if it was a Fox or Bobcat. They both have been caught on camera in daylight, Fox morning and around sunset.View attachment 2226357View attachment 2226358
So that's my fault for letting them out of their pen.
I hope you get your situation under control. GC

Sorry to hear about those losses you had. I too free range at dusk, assuming it is safer for them and knowing the chickens go right back to their coop after. When I read these stories it reminds me that anything is possible.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Sorry to hear about those losses you had. I too free range at dusk, assuming it is safer for them and knowing the chickens go right back to their coop after. When I read these stories it reminds me that anything is possible.

Yeah, like I said things were great for 3 years.
The first instance was right at sunset, fox went inside pen to snatch a hen. I just came outside to lockup when I heard the commotion.
The second time it happened about 10 minutes after I let them out. The chickens were scratching around near the wood line.

A favorite hangout.
I've been trying to discourage them by herding them away and closer to my house.
It seems to be working. Yesterday they were foraging along the side and around the house. GC

 

[Folly's place]

After any attack, the survivors get smarter, and more careful.
Mary

 

[GC-Raptor]

After any attack, the survivors get smarter, and more careful.
Mary

They do seem to be more alert and look around before moving on, instead of blindly moving around with heads down. GC

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

My mother always told me that when she was young and still at home her father coon hunted and could never hardly find any. That was probably in the 1930’s -40’s. Many people hunted and trapped for furs then and kept the populations of raccoons down. Now with very few people hunting or trapping them the numbers have grown exponentially. They do have some predators in coyotes if they are out in the open away from trees, and I also believe that coyote pressure as well as raccoon population itself has pushed them closer to human dwellings which has also given them more food sources and shelters as well. We live in a farm and frequently see them or signs of them. Have also heard from several people that live in the city that have caught several in the span of a few days. A lot of wildlife species are very adaptable.