While I agree that drowning is not a method I would use. I completely agree with the OP that between using a BB gun and drowning, it was probably the lesser of two evils. If you can, and that's a big IF, you might want to consider dry ice in the same garbage can. A little bit of water to help "melt" the ice faster in the bottom of the can and then the dry ice. Close the lid. come back in an hour or so. The critter will literally fall asleep and not wake up again. No choking or panic. The down side is most folks don't just have dry ice laying around, so it can be impractical. I also know someone that would kill quail by putting them in a trash can with a hole for a shop vac hose cut in it. He would seal the lid to the can with tape and then walk away for 5 min. Not sure about that one, but it works.
I'm sorry that you had to put the raccoon down. It's probably my least favorite part of keeping birds. You took responsibility for you birds safety, I can only applaud that. It's even better that you took the welfare of the raccoon into consideration as well.
Swamp
I'm sorry that you had to put the raccoon down. It's probably my least favorite part of keeping birds. You took responsibility for you birds safety, I can only applaud that. It's even better that you took the welfare of the raccoon into consideration as well.
Swamp
