Predators everywhere!

[Ruralhideaway]

No idea what that is..need big stick to turn it over(maybe).
How big is it....1-2' long?
Tail?

Trying pics again using different way.
View attachment 1429213 View attachment 1429214 View attachment 1429216 View attachment 1429217

It's about 2ft long, some tail yes but not sure how long. Considering a rake. Smells bad though, I have a thing about that smell.

So am I seeing a big footprint in the dig spot? Canine looking thing? That's a fat healthy looking rat.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I have some game cameras up and most every night see coyotes and fox mainly, some coons, possums, dogs, cats and rarely a bobcat. I'm putting a new camera up today. I had a camera in a coop and there were some rats. I've since renovated that coop and no more rats but I did put some baits out for the rats where the other critters couldn't get to them.

Once the rats really find a happy spot they are tough to get rid of without poison. My cats aren't finding me any lately so I think that I had a fall bad weather migration that we caught in time. I trapped 2 big ones and the cats got a bunch of juveniles. Now nothing but mice and various moles and voles.

 

[aart]

So am I seeing a big footprint in the dig spot? Canine looking thing? That's a fat healthy looking rat.

Closeups are front and hind foot prints, and you can see them in wider view too.
Front could be coon, possum, or skunk...but hind is coon or skunk, about 2.5" long, so young coon but leaning more towards skunk.....saw no indication of any climbing.

Yes, rat was 'healthy', think it was a male. Has me very concerned for sure. Have read dozens of stories here about them, will be scouring for other signs, really hoping it's a one off fluke. There are several places, habitat/shelter, I need to examine.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Closeups are front and hind foot prints, and you can see them in wider view too.
Front could be coon, possum, or skunk...but hind is coon or skunk, about 2.5" long, so young coon but leaning more towards skunk.....saw no indication of any climbing.

Yes, rat was 'healthy', think it was a male. Has me very concerned for sure. Have read dozens of stories here about them, will be scouring for other signs, really hoping it's a one off fluke. There are several places, habitat/shelter, I need to examine.

I think it's entirely possible to catch them early. I really think I did or I'd be over run by now. I used the big plastic alligator style snap traps with peanut butter along walls.

Skunks seem less arrogant than coons. Chase them a few times and they appear to learn.

 

[aart]

I used the big plastic alligator style snap traps with peanut butter along walls

Saw something about those the other day, which immediately came back to mind when I found the carcass. Not sure where to put them tho..and how to guard against dog getting nailed...have a few ideas. There's a bunch of stuff piled under coop shed, should probably pull it all out for a time to create some inhospitably.

Used to be lots of skunks around here, can smell them sometimes and see their diggings for grubs in lawn. They cleaned out a drowned yellow jacket nest for me once. Luckily only one dog encounter long ago....and a wandering dog got in yard one night and was drenched, glad he ran home haha!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Saw something about those the other day, which immediately came back to mind when I found the carcass. Not sure where to put them tho..and how to guard against dog getting nailed...have a few ideas. There's a bunch of stuff piled under coop shed, should probably pull it all out for a time to create some inhospitably.

Used to be lots of skunks around here, can smell them sometimes and see their diggings for grubs in lawn. They cleaned out a drowned yellow jacket nest for me once. Luckily only one dog encounter long ago....and a wandering dog got in yard one night and was drenched, glad he ran home haha!

Upside down plastic milk crate over the trap might work. I tried cardboard boxes with holes cut but didn't catch any that way.

I watched a cat try to chase a skunk last summer. It was annoyed but clearly reluctant to spray the cat. Kind of interesting to watch.

 

[aart]

Upside down plastic milk crate over the trap might work. I tried cardboard boxes with holes cut but didn't catch any that way.

I watched a cat try to chase a skunk last summer. It was annoyed but clearly reluctant to spray the cat. Kind of interesting to watch.

Yes, milk crate is what I was thinking. Already investigated a couple possible areas, no evidence.

Well, aren't cats and skunks kinda related?

 

[jthornton]

Skunks seem less arrogant than coons. Chase them a few times and they appear to learn.

I shot a couple of raccoons in the back side with .22 rat shot that were eating out of my bird feeder one evening. Less than 30 minutes later they are both back. This time I used .38 rat shot at close range... that did the trick.

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Yes, milk crate is what I was thinking. Already investigated a couple possible areas, no evidence.

Well, aren't cats and skunks kinda related?

Skunks are weasels I think. Otherwise yes!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I shot a couple of raccoons in the back side with .22 rat shot that were eating out of my bird feeder one evening. Less than 30 minutes later they are both back. This time I used .38 rat shot at close range... that did the trick.

JT

Better system. But can't believe they came right back thats crazy!