I GOT A RACCOON!

[rosyposyosy]

I know I shouldn't be excited, But I was. I was then really really worried, since my mom (we were gonna go on a walk) pointed out that he was bleeding. We saw that his paw was underneath the little step part, where the animal steps on it, and the trap closes. I was so freaked out, I called the animal shelter, then I called the wild life rescue, but no one answered. I got my brother who's staying here for a while, to get up and help me lift the step a little, since he was trying to gnaw his foot off. We went out there, wearing three sweatshirts, gloves, and were carrying a long stick that had a grabby thing at the end. I saw, his paw was no longer stuck, and still intact. I saw the cat food can, once only opened a third, now the lid completely gone, and all the food with it. That is why he was bleeding. To be honest, I don't feel that bad now. I got this trap a week ago, and I almost didn't, im so glad I did, because if I didn't, I wouldn't have any chickens. Especially that, since I left the little door open last night, as well as the door to the upstairs of my coop. My dad and I are going on a long adventure to relocate him.
I will post pics of my catch, if appropriate, after I upload them onto my camera.

EDITED because I didn't realize my original title was a racial slur. SORRY!
Also, I don't want this thread to become a debate, I was once against trapping, but now I realize it is protecting your flock.

 

[lacyloo]

 

[silkiechicken]

I personally would not relocate him as that is going to be tough on the coon to reestablish home or try come back, and you may be giving the problem to someone else. If far enough away, that would also not be so good with respect to spreading disease too. But do what you need to.

 

[rosyposyosy]

I'm going to relocate him, way way way far away. I'm prepared to run like heck after we release him out of the trap... I deffinately wont shoot him, don't have a gun. If I called the cops like the animal shelter told me to do, I would be busted on my chickens.

EDITED: We are gonna travel 10 miles, is that far enough but close enough?

 

[lacyloo]

 

[silkiechicken]

A bat might not do it very fast and isn't too humane in my opinion since coons are big animals. A mouse or rat, one swap, but not with a coon. See if you have a family friend with a pellet rifle and go right into the ear to be CERTAIN you get the brain. It is very fast if with a good shot and if you make sure the pellet rifle is at least 1000FPS. Don't discharge a real firearm in the city...

Else: Call animal control and just take the coon out front if possible. It is not only a risk to your chickens, but is a general pest in most areas. They eat trash in trash cans if not secured, and can carry rabies. There are reports of coons out here killing pet cats and dogs too. So as long as they don't see your birds, they will be none the wiser. They won't ask to inspect your yard.

 

[rosyposyosy]

I brought him to a creek, 6 miles from where I live. He ran out into the water and climbed a tree. I could've sworn he smiled at me. He seemed happy actually, not like he was scared, he seemed right at home. I got a live trap, and planned on keeping the animal alive. He completely tore the cat food can apart and then some. I decided not to post pictures, so the little (scratch that, HUGE) raccoon still has his dignity.


EDITED to say: I personally don't think he will be a problem, since there are fish at the creek (not endangered ones). Who am I to say who lives and who dies? Also, the animal shelter said that animal control would just shoot the raccoon. And I couldn't bring him out front, my neighbor is blackmailing me. We were going to get rid of a stray cat of hers, but she threatened to call the city and report my chickens. She cannot see the trap.

Sorry if you disagree. I'm just excited I got him before he got my chickens.

 

[seagullplayer]

You may have more than one; set the trap again tonight.

I use dead minnows as bait, but catfood or tuna works pretty good to.

I would leave the trap out for at least a week with no activity and no dead chickens before I called it done.

I'm sure the relocation will work out fine.

 

[silkiechicken]

Good luck, hope it doesn't come back or a neigbor coon doesn't come take his place. 6 miles isn't that far in the country, but in the city, coons don't need as big of a range to survive.

 

[Pidgey104]

You did'nt let him lose far enough away. They live seral mile away and come back to the chicken coop and eat. Belive me I know. I had to get rid of the coons here because they were pulling my quail and chickens tough the fence