My first raccoon attack

[Tacswa3]

I knew I had them around but they stayed to themselves. 2 nights ago it was in the my big fenced in area when I went to close up the pens. Last night heard some ruckus in one of my grow out pens while walking the dog and he was in there and had ahold of one of the muscovies. One of the few times I didn't walk with my rifle, and if I had I would've gotten him. I hurried inside to get my rifle but he used that opportunity to get away. I went back out an hour later to check things and while I stood quietly listening, I heard him coming down the big tree that sits next to the pen. He hit the ground the running...another missed opportunity. This morning I noticed one the muscovy mommas was missing. Started looking around and I found her dead waaaay up in the crook of that big tree. I'm pissed. So a trap will go out tonight and war means war. I've made some adjustments to at least slow him down getting in the pen, until I can get him. They are worse than a fox.

 

[swampfox440]

I agree with you they are worse , in the last week I have trapped 5 coons so keep in mind there might be more than one .

 

[Acre4Me]

Good luck -I hope you get that one snd any others looking for a poultry dinner.

sorry one got killed.

 

[SharW75]

I'm sorry this happened to you. We were also recent victims of a raccoon attack--they killed 9 of our hens. I caught and killed one right in the coop, then trapped and shot two others since then. Raccoons are just awful.

 

[Folly's place]

Raccoons come in family groups, so plan to get more than one at a time. And only having safe housing will keep them from causing more grief! You will also have rats, weasels, opossums, and foxes, at least, able to get into those unsafe pens.
Mary

 

[Tacswa3]

I agree with you they are worse , in the last week I have trapped 5 coons so keep in mind there might be more than one .

What are you using for bait? I’m pretty sure I got one more than 1. The one I saw Sunday night didn’t appear as big as the one that got into the pen. That sucka was a hoss. I generally walk the dog w/ my .22 because I have foxes that like to cause issues. If I only took it with me last night I woulda had this raccoon because it stayed put at the top of the pen “playing” dead like when I made myself known. But like I said when I went to get the .22 he scurried up the tree. Came down a bit later but he got the jump on me and disappeared out of sight and up another tree.
I didn’t think they would carry a kill off up in a tree, but given the size of this one I guess he could. He had to carry it up the 6 foot chain link fence, through the opening he had, jump about 5 feet to the tree and then up about 30 - 40 feet. I know the hen died protecting her babies because she was feisty when it was necessary. The pen is secure enough for foxes and hawks and since I haven't had any raccoon issues I let it be. Shame on me.

 

[SharW75]

I use cheap, stinky canned cat food. Gets 'em every time.

 

[Tacswa3]

I use cheap, stinky canned cat food. Gets 'em every time.

Leave it in the can or dump it out ? Probably doesn’t matter

 

[SharW75]

Actually, I dump it out. We've had some smart ones work the can over the trigger plate from the outside and never set it off. Also, it helps to enclose the trap in something so they can't reach their hands through from the back. Their hands work so well they can just reach in from the back and scoop it out. I put a cardboard box over the top, part of the sides, and back, and then shove the trap tight up against a wall.

One more thing...put something heavy on top of the trap (but not near the trip mechanism). I've actually had raccoons roll the traps over so the trip plate is on the top and the food falls down and they can walk right in and eat it. They're WAY too smart.

 

[Tacswa3]

Actually, I dump it out. We've had some smart ones work the can over the trigger plate from the outside and never set it off. Also, it helps to enclose the trap in something so they can't reach their hands through from the back. Their hands work so well they can just reach in from the back and scoop it out. I put a cardboard box over the top, part of the sides, and back, and then shove the trap tight up against a wall.

One more thing...put something heavy on top of the trap (but not near the trip mechanism). I've actually had raccoons roll the traps over so the trip plate is on the top and the food falls down and they can walk right in and eat it. They're WAY too smart.

Thanks for the tips !