Pricey coon removal

Last year I trapped a young skunk in my coop (using have a heart trap) and it was heck to find someone to take it. I had it trapped and ready to go and got the cold shoulder from animal control, pest control, the local wildlife rehab places (those were VERY rude). No one would take it except one 'critter gitter' that wanted $125 to take a skunk I had already trapped. I even tried the starter fluid, but just made it sleepy. :) Didn't have the heart to shoot it and certainly wasn't going to drown it.

We finally relocated it ON OUR PROPERTY (which is very large and has several creeks) and closed up the holes it used to get in and we never saw it again. If it hadn't worked, I guess I would have had to pay someone.

So no, animal control is of no use, at least in my area. I had several official people tell me off the record to just drive it somewhere and relocate it but I didn't want to dump my problem (and it's illegal).
 
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Last year I trapped a young skunk in my coop (using have a heart trap) and it was heck to find someone to take it. I had it trapped and ready to go and got the cold shoulder from animal control, pest control, the local wildlife rehab places (those were VERY rude). No one would take it except one 'critter gitter' that wanted $125 to take a skunk I had already trapped. I even tried the starter fluid, but just made it sleepy. :) Didn't have the heart to shoot it and certainly wasn't going to drown it.

We finally relocated it ON OUR PROPERTY (which is very large and has several creeks) and closed up the holes it used to get in and we never saw it again. If it hadn't worked, I guess I would have had to pay someone.

So no, animal control is of no use, at least in my area. I had several official people tell me off the record to just drive it somewhere and relocate it but I didn't want to dump my problem (and it's illegal).


Yes-- sadly, that is the way it is in NY state. The reason your 'critter gitter' was so expensive is that the permits and licenses that they legally must have from our wonderful state are pricey too. They also must document everything they do and discard of pest species in a very specific way. If you are unwilling to dispatch yourself (which I respect), then the only legal option is very pricey.
 
100% of drowned coons die and when your dead your dead, they have no memory they don't remember if they died in there bed or were thrown into a wood chipper. the ends justify the means


I agree, dead is dead. But it's important to remember that everyone comes from different backgrounds here, and has different values. Ethics can be very personal. If one means of dispatch rests less heavily on someone's shoulders than another, then that's fine. The means of dispatch can matter a lot to some people both on an ethical level and a spiritual one. Even if you disagree, there is no reason not to be courteous.
 
That's the thing about setting a trap. You must be prepared to do what needs to be done with what you catch. I don't like walking up to a trapped animal and simply pulling the trigger. This act goes against everything I've been taught about good sportsmanship. However, when I do finally set a trap it is because the animal is a nuisance. It has already destroyed my property in some way or another. At that point the animal is no longer wild. It has become dependent on my feed, housing and so forth in order to survive. Thus, in a way, I am providing a service to nature by culling the gene pool of animals too stupid, too weak, or too old to survive as nature intended.

Bottom line: Once an animal is trapped you are responsible for its life. Don't be cruel. Simply be respectful and quick.
 
You could always take up archery, its fun and if you need to kill a racoon, it is silent and usually there are no restrictions as far as archery is concerned, the pellet guns sounds more realistic and the learning curve is not a great!!!
 
Has anyone tried carbonminoxide (CO)? Maybe a wooden box or trashcan with a hose attached from a car exhaust. Just puts them to sleep & they never wake up. CO is how many animal control facilities dispose of nuisance or unwanted animals.
 
Carbon monoxide is slow. I've seen it used. If not properly induced, the animal fights, vocalizes, urinates and defecates; and the animal must continue to breathe CO for several minutes or it will 'come back to life'. We've all heard horror stories of 'euthanized' pets'waking up after a visit to the chamber of death.
 
Carbon monoxide is slow. I've seen it used. If not properly induced, the animal fights, vocalizes, urinates and defecates; and the animal must continue to breathe CO for several minutes or it will 'come back to life'. We've all heard horror stories of 'euthanized' pets'waking up after a visit to the chamber of death.
A well placed bullet is the quickest and most efficient way to dispose of predators, as long as it is legal where you live.
 
Our AC staff will NOT come and get the coons or skunks in our area. Even hedgehogs or gophers. Neither would the wildlife folks unless you have a hawk, eagle or owl that needs help. Yes we LIVE in urban settings, one block away from the interstate that runs thru town and those coons are savvy!

The only thing our AC would do is to pick up trapped pet animals. They dont have the resources or manpower to chase a dog or cat. Unless its a pit dog that attacked someone...

Yep, our AC is useless for coons, skunks and possums.....can't have a gun to shoot them either. So none of them are willing, fine, I would take it out in the country, shoot it. Its quicker than drowning but if you don't have a gun, then drowning would be the one to use and make sure its quick as you possibly can.
 

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