Relocating raccoons- questions

[ChickenCharmer]

I had a huge massacre a few months ago-- I still miss my babies. To rid ourselves of this raccoon blight, we thought we would relocate the blasted creatures. HOWEVER, they're having their babies now, so we can't get rid of the mothers, or the babies would die.

We would have to wait till the end of the season. Well, a couple days ago our beloved family cockatiel was killed by a raccoon, and this evening my favorite precious bantam mutt, the only survivor of the brood, hatched from my own chickens, was killed by a stupid raccoon. I am absolutely in tears and at my wit's end. I am going to get rid of those bloodthirsty idiots, babies or no babies.

So we will trap them, then drive them far away, and drop 'em off. I wanted to know how far we would have to take them to ensure safety? PLEASE ANSWER.

 

[citrusdreams]

It's illegal in most places to relocate animals. Besides, if you just drop them off somewhere else, you'll just be making your problem someone else's problem.

You can trap them and shoot them. Or call animal control to take them away when you trap them.

 

[redhen]

Aww! How'd it get the tiel?

 

[purpletree23]

You have to be very careful relocating raccoons. They are stronger and meaner than you realize and if one has rabies and if you just happen to get some of their saliva on an open cut of yours you could get infected. I relocate chipmunks (illegal) but I just can't bash a chipmunk on the head to kill it. I drive them to an area where there is water and NO houses and let them go so I don't give my problems to other people.

Of course it's your choice but be careful. There are too many raccoons now. Hunters don't want them for the fur anymore.

 

[blbgp]

How is it getting all your animals? Did it get inside to get your cockatiel???

 

[Judy]

Raccoon worms are also prevalent and very dangerous to humans, and passed in saliva.

 

[BantyRooster]

Why would you relocate them? For cryin out loud...

They've had their babies months ago...

Either way they are preying on YOUR property...wake up...don;t drop them off for someone else to deal with.

IF they had babies and you drove them off mile and mile, do you think the babies would be ok?

Dispose of them...not drop them off.

Keyword: DIRTNAP.

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

Since you are from California......

California Department of Fish and Game regulations prohibit the relocation of raccoons and other wildlife without written permission from the Department. For further information on the legal status of raccoons and other wildlife, contact your local California Department of Fish and Game Regional Office.

Found on the net.

 

[jhm47]

Relocating them is nothing more than a cowardly act, transferring your problems to someone else. It is illegal, and is a major factor in spreading deadly diseases like rabies and a host of other diseases and parasites. If you don't have the good sense to humanely dispose of them, at least call animal control and have them do it for you.

When you acquire chickens or other defenseless pets, it is your duty to defend them from predators like coons. If you aren't responsible enough to defend the pets you are entrusted with, you shouldn't have them.

Coons are plentiful all through the country. They are overpopulating their habitat in many places, and therefore diseases like rabies are becoming more and more common. Mange is also rampant in the coons in my area. Disposing of the ones that kill pets and have adapted to "city/suburb" living will help to strengthen the ones that live in wild areas where they belong.

DO THE RIGHT THING!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Cmon, lets go easy on the OP. Some people don't know how bad it is to relocate. In all honesty when I first got into chickens I may have done the same thing myself.

So, ChickenCharmer, now that you've read the responses I trust your question is answered and the answer is there is no distance.

Just think of the animal like you would a rat and exterminate them. I usually suggest trapping and then killing with an arrow. You don't even need a bow, just a sharp arrow and someone willing to do the deed. One very special member here, if I do say so myself, dropped her trap into her pond with the raccoon in the trap. Didn't take long.


The only other option you have is to build a predator proof coop and run.