To everyone who says he should have shot the coon, not everyone can legally own firearms. Suggestions on what he could have done in that instance?
I ask because I am having trouble coming up with what I would do as I choose not to own firearms.
Some communities have "firearm regulations" for inside city limits. No gun shots allowed.
We live in the country and shoot those we trap or see in the act of stalking or attacking the poultry or calves.
Without firearms, you will need strong fences and tight enclosures. Know your state regulations for predatory animals. Fish and Wildlife hunting regulation magazines often carry information for killing a predatory animal "in or out of season". Carcass disposal is also regulated.
If you trap in live cages, there aren't many ways to remove a live animal from that trap without getting scratched or bitten. Releasing it somewhere else can even be dangerous because some critters will attack the hands that release it.
Disposing of the trapped animal using a bow and arrow or a spear might work.
Snap traps are useful but many consider them less humane as animals trapped by a foot or leg will knaw off the appendage to escape. Even then a trapped animal needs to be put down. Fur trappers set their traps and return later to check them.
Poisons are restricted and can be deadly to pets or livestock if not used/placed wisely. Even rat poison in a live trap for bait must be carefully wrapped to keep a "nice" animal from ingesting it....put in a can and securely wrapped with screen wire. A coon or possum will rip off the wire screen, while a well fed pet will usually not.
A bow and arrow or a spear thru the cage wires.
A club or hammer strike...need to be accurate and swift.
Detaching the head by axe or loppers.