Raccoons - Warning: Graphic Photos

[itsasmallfarm]

nice job

raccoons are a pain caught 3 this year so far, (one year my grandpa caught 7 or 8) thankfully here there not protected meaning we can hunt/trap them any time of the year.

still waiting for the big one lol, all mine where 15-20lbs still want to catch a big 40lb plus coon.

 

[techbsmith]

Oddly I did not delete my post, but someone else did.

Ok - not sure what happened to it then. I certainly can't delete posts on a thread and can't imagine why a moderator would have removed your post.

*Snip*

It's not about being offended. I completely get protecting your flock or livestock. Even by law in most places you can do so if they are in imminent danger, not next door at a neighbors eating seeds that are left out there. You can shoot and kill whatever you like, but in a trap with no where to go?

*Snip*

The raccoon was trapped about 20 feet away from my main chicken coop. It was closer to them than it was to the bucket of seed left on my neighbors back porch which was about 100 feet away. Personally, I have a job that requires 50+ hours a week from me, plus I take care of a family member who is ill. I don't have hours to sit outside with night vision goggles waiting to see if a raccoon is going to try to break into my coop and then try to kill it in a sporting type manner.


*Snip*

I know there are raccoons, opossums, skunks, owls, Hawks, coyote and foxes, but that doesn't mean I go down the block with a trap/gun and kill them because they crossed the street.

*Snip*

I hardly go down the block with a trap and gun to kill things that crossed the street. I have had issues with raccoons trying to get into my coop already - and I can pretty safely presume that once the seed runs out next door, they will look for something else to eat...possibly resuming attempts to get into my chickens.


*Snip*

What I do is check that enclosure and coop non stop, I walk the area to see if I can spot anything out of sorts, I'm constantly checking hardware cloth everywhere. I spend a lot of time on this stuff because I know I'm the only one to protect them.

*Snip*

As do I - I have invested a great deal of money, time, and resources into my coop's, runs, and livestock. I check everything and every bird first thing in the morning and again before I go to bed. I do random spot checks as time permits during the day and evening hours. What I enjoy best is when I'm able to sit outside with them for an hour or so and let them out of the runs so they can roam the yard under my watchful eye.

Please don't presume or insinuate that I don't spend much time with my livestock or that I am wildly walking the streets with a gun in hand looking for animals to kill. I've done my level best to be civil, the same would be appreciated.

 

[techbsmith]

nice job

raccoons are a pain caught 3 this year so far, (one year my grandpa caught 7 or 8) thankfully here there not protected meaning we can hunt/trap them any time of the year.

still waiting for the big one lol, all mine where 15-20lbs still want to catch a big 40lb plus coon.

I'd say this one was around the 20 lb mark - a decent sized male. The ones I caught earlier this spring trying to get into my run were juveniles, probably around 5-7 lbs. I'll be resetting the traps tonight and hope to catch the female. It just goes to show that even with a good LGD they can sneak in. I do know that Sam (my dog) has caught one this year - he was quite proud!

 

[Kessel23]

I'd say this one was around the 20 lb mark - a decent sized male. The ones I caught earlier this spring trying to get into my run were juveniles, probably around 5-7 lbs. I'll be resetting the traps tonight and hope to catch the female. It just goes to show that even with a good LGD they can sneak in. I do know that Sam (my dog) has caught one this year - he was quite proud!

Good luck trapping them, hopefully you get some tonight!

 

[aart]

I don't subscribe to the catch/release that some folks do - first, it's illegal. Second, I don't want to dump my problem on someone else.

Thirdly, how the heck would one release a coon from a DP without being shredded?

 

[techbsmith]

Thirdly, how the heck would one release a coon from a DP without being shredded?

LMAO - You say that as if you've had experience with the Duke DP!

 

[aart]

LMAO - You say that as if you've had experience with the Duke DP!

Nope, never used one, just think things thru rather thoroughly.
Can you imagine!?!?!

 

[techbsmith]

Nope, never used one, just think things thru rather thoroughly.
Can you imagine!?!?!

Bravo! I knew there was a reason I like you, you're one smart lady!

 

[Tesumph]

Good job! I think I labeled myself as some sort of tree hugger on this forum but I feel like this is a good opportunity to commend you for respectful killing. Too many people come here and gloat about ripping up the horrible murdering monsters getting into their coop (as if shooting a trapped small mammal takes much skill).. and somehow fail to see it’s JUST an animal, like their chickens, doin’ what it’s made to do. I’m all for livestock protection and even hunting, I just wish that being respectful of nature was more commonplace.

I don’t blame you for dispatching a coon that was just a little too comfy around your land. The only thing I’d warn you about is another coon taking its place, maybe sooner, maybe later. And maybe the next one will prefer chickens to sunflower seeds!
Good luck.

 

[lazy gardener]

Good read. I also am all about protecting my flock, and will do what is required to do so.