Raccoon...A Dirty Word!

[NateinFL]

I have had coons as well but not lost a single bird to any in nearly 2 years to them. Dog and I have killed three adult raccoons this spring alone and lot more oppossums. Dog does awsome against red fox and even keeps coyotes out of trouble. I still have live-traps out but dog does most of work.

A dog that kills poultry is like a garden tool that kills your tomato plants, learn how to use tool properly.

It does not always require starting from puppy since even an adult proven chicken killer can be brought into line. You could get immediate raccoon control even with a serial chickien killing dog if it is confined such that it denies raccoon access. Then break dog of being threat to birds which can be done without degrading effectiveness against coons.

Most important point to make is you likely intend have chickens in forseeable future. So if future coons are predicted a dog is a logical consideration. Agreed dogs not suitable for all parties owing to cost of upkeep. Upkeep cost is part of my reasoning for having dog serve multiple roles which includes hunting small game.

With poison applications, it is easy to get sloppy and take out animals not intended as targets.

I agree, a good dog to have around is extremely effective against most predators. My border collie mix is so smart that when he hears the roosters give the "hawk alert" noise, he looks upwards and takes off after the bird...most times it is a vulture but you get the idea. He is also very vigilant at night. He sleeps inside but the slightest noise and he is whining at the door. If I let him out and there is a predator in the woods, I open the gate and off they go...when it does happen, I am sure to set the trap the next few nights. Last year I caught 15 opossums and 6 raccoons.

 

[Swissmiss989]

I would love to have a dog but thats not an option for us. At least not right now...

 

[firestrike09]

Leg hold traps and conibears. nuff said

 

[Sylvestor12]

Homwmade traps are the best to use because you can usually DIY and they almost always work. Instead of drowning, which is a cruel way to kill something, I'd just shoot it.

 

[firestrike09]

I disagree. Do not try to build a trap if u are inexpeerinced. Ive seen people attempt to build their own "live traps" and end up with a coon half way caught by the neck which then is strangled to death. Ive also seen a coon stuck in a homemade cage trap with its tail stuck in the door way, where a coyote came by and ate its tail off. It then bled to death. Go buy a trap if u havent ever built one. If u do build one. And its a live trap test it on ur child first. If u dont want ur child caught in it dont call it a live trap. Either catch it in a way it will die instantly. or catch it unharmed. LEg hold traps most say are inhumane, however studies show after the first "snap"around the wrist their heart drops back to normal and are no longer in pain. Then you shoot them, a fast easy death.

 

[Sylvestor12]

Ah, well my dad is building savvy so he could build pretty much anything if he has the manpower. I guess I didn't think about that, thanks for the perspective.

 

[firestrike09]

If all u have is string. Try this! ive gotten many pests with this,

 

[Swissmiss989]

Well we cought our first coon today, very unexpected. We actually bated our snap traps and left them unset so the coons would get lazy and when we actually set them we could catch it. But we left the DP trap set (kinda forgot about it since it didnt attract them). Well behold I go to walk into my coops to let the birds out and im in a face to face stare down with a coon. At 4 am it was a little much to deal with so I called my DH and he disposed of it in a humane way. (My.DH is a professional shooter, he is also state inspected at his job since he shoots for a living). So good news we got one. Bad news, they come in a six pack according to my trail cam. Ill try and put a trail cam pic up later.

 

[Swissmiss989]

See heres my problem x.X

 

[Sucker#1]

I have seen many good dogs shredded by a cornered coon. If you think a trap Savoy coon is tough try sending your best friend out into the dark and coming back well bloodied. Trying to fight something that lives in the dark is foolish. Let the traps do their work and keep using the trail cam to improve your trap set up.