it is actually more humane to put them down, as even if you do release far enough away they wont come back, that is usually only because they either got killed by something else trying to cross it territory, or they found an easier meal ticket. they have a very good sense of direction, and are actually the same animal as a bear and travel long distances naturally for food, unless easy food is close to were the big families set up. watch out for the babies, as they seem cute to leave, but parents especially taking away birds are feeding them to young, and showing them what to and how to kill, so those babies will always seek out what we dont want unfortunately, and alot still use poison and leg traps (also smeared with poison so when smart animals chew off broken leg, they ingest and get poison in wound, killing them slow). just better to do it quick and easy to the whole nest (ive seen containing up to a hundred or more, by the way.. sorry). i was a vet assistant for over three years, and hunted coons, and actually have a great respect, but once they are taught by garbage and people putting out food for them even, especially cats usually, to not fear, and develop an association of our smell with good, instead of a shot in the butt, the babies learn to adapt and are encouraged forever for hanging around us. now you can do what ive done before, if done right, with wild, or orphans raised up (yes i know im a horrible hypocrite), and just set dogs on, or beat the tar outta them when they try to mess with or show more than idle curiosity to stuff you dont want (this has worked as had coons living right up by my chickens, and when they find a mate or have babies they seem to be able to tell them not to mess with that, and the dog knows its supposed to guard the flock as well. wild coons i obviously mean beat the cage yell scream and poke at and have dog terrorize them while they are in a cage as close to birds as possible, just to clarify for wild coons.. for those who want a more humane compromise. sees mentally nicer just to put them down quick, but conscience gets the better or worse at times. i had a neighbor who was feeding the coons for years till she suddenly decided to stop one day. suddenly in broad daylight eighty raccoons show up, and by night time they were acting starved as rabid dogs. its bad when one of your dogs goes and hides in her dog house, the male is wanting to try to kill them all, and hitting the closest one with a broom, just makes it look confused at you. poor things were so fat they had to go around the fences and were totally confused, so came right up to my door and were trying to get the door open. they were nuisances ever since, and family decided it was cheaper to feed, and trap as many as could, and drop off with cats to river, were was a farm... some still came back from so far.
P.S. sorry about and to all those who lost their fluff puffy butts. i worry about my more fragile and non agile chooks as well now.
