Relocating raccoons- questions

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
Yeah, I looked that up, too. Couldn't find this anywhere. Only place I have read it is here.

Here ya go

From this website:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/raccoons.htm

Trapping Raccoons

Trapping and relocating a raccoon several miles away seems an appealing method of resolving a conflict because it is perceived as giving the “problem animal” a second chance in a new home. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is quite different. Raccoons typically try to return to their original territories, often getting hit by a car or killed by a predator in the process. If they remain in the new area, they may get into fights (oftentimes to the death) with resident raccoons for limited food, shelter, or nesting sites. Raccoons may also transmit diseases to rural populations that they have picked up from urban pets. Finally, if a place “in the wild” or an urban green space is perfect for raccoons, raccoons are probably already there. It isn’t fair to the animals already living there to release another competitor into their home range.

Raccoons used to a particular food source, type of shelter, or human activity will seek out familiar situations and surroundings. People, organizations, or agencies that illegally move raccoons should be willing to assume liability for any damages or injuries caused by these animals. Precisely for these reasons, raccoons posing a threat to human and pet safety should not be relocated.

In many cases, moving raccoons will not solve the original problem because other raccoons will replace them and cause similar conflicts. Hence, it is more effective to make the site less attractive to raccoons than it is to routinely trap them.

Trapping also may not be legal in some urban areas; check with local authorities. Transporting animals without the proper permit is also unlawful in most cases (see "Legal Status"). See Trapping Wildlife for information on trapping raccoons.​

 

[spectrumranch]

they may get into fights (oftentimes to the death) with resident raccoons for limited food, shelter, or nesting sites

The key word here is "MAY". Raccoons are social animals and if food is plentiful they will get along fine. BUT with that said- their natural instinct is to return home. THey will travel many miles to return to the area they are fimiliar with.

Years ago we tagged and released raccoons to test how far they will travel. Anything less than 5 miles- they easily return; 10 miles- returned, 15 miles- most returned, 20 miles- some returned.

Even squirrels will return from a few miles away.

I shoot any coon, skunk, pussum, weasel that we trap! BUT IF you must relocate an animal- consider spray painting the tail! This will last for a short time, but you will know if an animal returns- best to have a trail camera set up to get a photo- as once a predator has been trapped it is hard to ever trap them again.

I am amazed at all the people that bring up transporting is illegal (not just in this thread, so don't take offence that I am talking about anyone in specific). I am not sure if they are hoping this will urge non kill trappers to start killing or what? My quess is it won't! But yet people post about killing owls, hawks or other illegal acts. THINK about it, most things on the internet can be traced, do you really want to post you shot a hawk?? more and more wild animals are being tagged with transmitters, that are not visible, so you will not know until the wardens show up at your door.

Even though I lose birds to predators- I still respect that it is a living creature!!!!! I do not leave it in a trap for days--- or do not leave it sitting in the sun----- or torture it. Respect is a fast and painless death. I dont think stabbing it with an arrow is a respectful way. Gun shot or drowning are both quick.

AS FAR AS calling animal control--- I would first ASK if they kill the predator or just relocate. Odds are they relocate which they will drive 2 miles down the road and release it, it will be back at your house before you get the trap set again!!!

If you can not kill the animal, or animal control does not kill the animal, ask a friend that hunts or can kill it for you! If you live in the city- stop some of the drive-bys! Not sure if that attempt at humor is funny this late at night.

Randy​

 

[deerman]

Quote:
The key word here is "MAY". Raccoons are social animals and if food is plentiful they will get along fine. BUT with that said- their natural instinct is to return home. THey will travel many miles to return to the area they are fimiliar with.

Years ago we tagged and released raccoons to test how far they will travel. Anything less than 5 miles- they easily return; 10 miles- returned, 15 miles- most returned, 20 miles- some returned.

Even squirrels will return from a few miles away.

I shoot any coon, skunk, pussum, weasel that we trap! BUT IF you must relocate an animal- consider spray painting the tail! This will last for a short time, but you will know if an animal returns- best to have a trail camera set up to get a photo- as once a predator has been trapped it is hard to ever trap them again.

I am amazed at all the people that bring up transporting is illegal (not just in this thread, so don't take offence that I am talking about anyone in specific). I am not sure if they are hoping this will urge non kill trappers to start killing or what? My quess is it won't! But yet people post about killing owls, hawks or other illegal acts. THINK about it, most things on the internet can be traced, do you really want to post you shot a hawk?? more and more wild animals are being tagged with transmitters, that are not visible, so you will not know until the wardens show up at your door.

Even though I lose birds to predators- I still respect that it is a living creature!!!!! I do not leave it in a trap for days--- or do not leave it sitting in the sun----- or torture it. Respect is a fast and painless death. I dont think stabbing it with an arrow is a respectful way. Gun shot or drowning are both quick.

AS FAR AS calling animal control--- I would first ASK if they kill the predator or just relocate. Odds are they relocate which they will drive 2 miles down the road and release it, it will be back at your house before you get the trap set again!!!

If you can not kill the animal, or animal control does not kill the animal, ask a friend that hunts or can kill it for you! If you live in the city- stop some of the drive-bys! Not sure if that attempt at humor is funny this late at night.

Randy

Randy I agree with most of your post. Relocating coons is illegal , but no they will not get killed by other coons, or starve. Like you said most will try to return, danger of getting hit by cars. Main think is the spread of disease, like rabies and distemper.

Also best to shoot them with a gun. I do kill everyone I trap, in Ohio that is the Only legal way.

Those that relocated, are putting people and their pets at heath risk. Reason most States made it illegal. 40% of rabie start with raccoons

 

[ravencreek]

I must say that I relocate my caged coons. Not to somewhere they are unwanted or will cause problems for others. They are driven to OUR heavily wooded private land 15 miles away released and then we use them to train our coon dogs later. I WISH I could find someone local to let me set traps on their property to catch them. We always have dogs that are in need of training. So maybe find a local hunter in your area that would LOVE your catch. I know I would. Hope this is a little helpful.

I also don't blame you for wanting to allow the animal to live. I was the same way before I started hunting with my husband. I also have a question for you and forgive me if its been asked and answered as I didn't read every post.

My question to you is...If you have a coon problem and want them gone....Why would you feel obligated to leave them be until the kits are old enough to survive on their own? If you disposed of the sow then the kits would also perish which would deplete the potential of a problem later.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Guess you dont understand that releasing coons is ILLEGAL, now you want people to help you break the law. Ohio law says any raccoon trap must be destroy , or released on your land can NOT relocate. Most State have this same law.

 

[ravencreek]

Please read my post again. We release on OUR OWN property. Its only illegal if you release an animal on someone ELSES property. If someone takes a caged coon and releases it on their OWN property even if its from a different location its NOT illegal. As long as the property owner does it. Or at least thats the way it works where I live in TN. My sons God Father is a Wildlife Ranger for the state and he is where I get all my information as well as permits.


ETA the following statement:

Also where I am from you are more likely to coon hunt with a Game Warden than come into confrontation with one over it. By the way...I NEVER said the coons I relocated were live. Some are, some aren't. Usually the live ones aren't live for long after we get to the training facility. I don't release them to thrive there. They are used to train dogs.

 

[Sitka]

"Gun shot or drowning are both quick."

Please go with the gun. I have done the drowning bit and it is not "quick" and it undeniably causes needless suffering.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I understand that your father doesn't want to "needlessly" kill an animal simply because it is unwanted, BUT consider this: remember all that heartbreak and frustration that this coon has brought upon you and your animals. Now take that frustration and heartbreak and multiply it by 10 because the next person this coon bothers WILL NOT be able to trap and remove it.

It is your and your father's responsibility to make sure this animal is properly disposed of. Trap it and kill it, or leave it where it is. If you don't want to deal with it, you can bet your bottom dollar the next person won't either.

We aren't trying to be harsh on you, it's simply that we want to make known that relocating is irresponsible and coons never stay where you drop them off at anyway.

-Kim

 

[fordmommy]

I know you have heard this before, but it is illegal to relocate wildlife without a permit. You (and everyone else) would be better off killing the racoons. However, you will also need to have a hunting lisense for this in most states. And I don't know if you are allowed one for racoons in your state.

You would create more problems by relocating them anyway.

#1-If they have babies...
#2-You could be transporting diseases to another area and another population of wildlife such as rabies, worms, and many others
#3-You could be giving the same problem to another chicken farmer or such
#4-You could be over populating an area

There are thousands upon thousands of reasons to NOT relocate them.

Your best option is to eleminate the problem. Not add to problems in other areas.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

Just Kill IT!