Raccoons near my coop

[JiveTofu]

Fair enough. They are so ridiculously prolific that any area that can support one already supports three. It's a shame, but it's the truth.
I could still see releasing healthy looking animals into say the middle of a national forrest or other protected land. But yes, there are others there already and they will fight, and you could be spreading disease, but at least it's a chance for nature to determine it. Most people don't have that option though, and I agree that killing it is almost always the best course of action.

 

[bobbi-j]

Fair enough. They are so ridiculously prolific that any area that can support one already supports three. It's a shame, but it's the truth.
I could still see releasing healthy looking animals into say the middle of a national forrest or other protected land. But yes, there are others there already and they will fight, and you could be spreading disease, but at least it's a chance for nature to determine it. Most people don't have that option though, and I agree that killing it is almost always the best course of action.

The thing is, something like rabies isn't always obvious in the early stages. How can you know?

 

[JiveTofu]

Its a chance you take and a personal choice. You can look up rabies reports for your state and know how recently its been reported in your area. Its something I do regularly. Its just a good thing to know if you have pets. No, its no guarantee that you don't have a recently infected animal in your trap, but again, its an educated personal decision.
Being a native species here in the states, I cant agree that its ALWAYS-no exceptions best to kill them. If it were, wildlife sanctuaries wouldn't waste their time raising orphans for release.
I would probably call my local wildlife office for their imput before deciding how to handle that situation.
Again, that's just my opinion.

 

[aart]

It's not just rabies, there are other diseases and parasites.

My view on relocation of chicken predators and/or nuisance animals.

It's really better to kill them...for many reasons.

-You've just introduced trap savvy pest/predator animals into someone else's 'backyard'.

-The spread of disease is a very real aspect and why it's illegal in many states to relocate trapped predator animals.

-Releasing an animal into another animals territory could well sign it's death warrant anyway, in case you were thinking of 'saving' the 'poor little creature'. Probably a worse death than a quick shot to the head or even a 'trashcan drowning'.

Since we've displaced their habitat (and more importantly their natural predators habitat) and fed them to overpopulation with our garbage...IMO, it is our duty to become the 'apex predator' and kill them when they become a problem to the extent that we need to trap them.

 

[Millworker26]

Not saying that trapped wildlife shouldn't be culled, but controlled studies have shown that relocated raccoons do just as well as non-relocated raccoons. They don't fall to predation any more than non-relocated raccoons, despite what many on this forum state. Not sure if this is true with other predators, I have only seen the research for raccoons.

 

[Folly's place]

In Michigan, as an example, trapped critters can be released on the same property, or in the same county, on private land only, and only with the landowner's permission. NOT on public lands, not across county lines, and not recommended by the DNR at all. There's not a raccoon shortage!!! Just don't trap if you won't shoot, and be kind and legal. Mary

 

[roosterhavoc]

That is absolutely not true AT ALL. Their feet are the MOST sensitive part of their bodies. The most humane and responsible option is to live trap, then dispatch with a clean shot if relocating isn't an option.
They are not evil, just wild animals trying to get by. They do not deserve needless torture, no animal does.

Dog proof coon traps do not torture the animal. They hold the animal alive and well behind the pad of the foot. They obviously have feeling in their feet but it is not torture and is irresponsible to suggest it is. Many raccoons will not go into a live trap especially the cheap havahart specials sold at most places. Regardless if your trapping them you should dispatch them. Relocating raccoons isn't a good idea. Do some research and see what usually happens to a raccoon dumped into another racoons home range. It's doesn't usually end well.

 

[Ronnie2]

Game camera died, but did catch opossum, don't need those around chickens coups either!

 

[Millworker26]

Dog proof coon traps do not torture the animal. They hold the animal alive and well behind the pad of the foot. They obviously have feeling in their feet but it is not torture and is irresponsible to suggest it is. Many raccoons will not go into a live trap especially the cheap havahart specials sold at most places. Regardless if your trapping them you should dispatch them. Relocating raccoons isn't a good idea. Do some research and see what usually happens to a raccoon dumped into another racoons home range. It's doesn't usually end well.

Here's some research: this controlled study reported in the Journal of Wildlife reports that trapped and relocated raccoon fair no differently than native control raccoons trapped and released at the same site.

http://totalwildlifecontrol.com//re...vements/relocated-chicago-raccoons-study.html

 

[roosterhavoc]

Here's some research: this controlled study reported in the Journal of Wildlife reports that trapped and relocated raccoon fair no differently than native control raccoons trapped and released at the same site.

http://totalwildlifecontrol.com//re...vements/relocated-chicago-raccoons-study.html

Interesting study. The overall numbers don't seem that great to me though. I catch probably between 20-30 raccoons and another 10-15 opossums and a few red foxes every year. I'm not releasing anything. I free range some birds year round. I would lose every last one if I just keep "removing" nuisance wildlife.