The Middle Tennessee Thread

[chknoodles]

What is it with people?? I cried all the way to work one morning because I was just sure I had run over a big frog. I've nearly wrecked trying to avoid cats, dogs, possums, raccoons..and of course DEER. It amazes me that someone would go out of their way to deliberately run down an animal!!!

 

[DaddyBird]

So we live right near Vandy. At the end of summer, we had seen a raccoon balancing along the side fence stealing tomatoes from the garden. We hadn't seen a sign of him until last week. He had ventured further into the back yard and was 20 yards or so from the coop but still hadn't discovered it. I think he had found some rodent poison I had put out for some nuisance squirrels. I tried to catch him with a live trap and some tuna fish but the trigger rod was bent and didn't spring. I sat and watched him eat a whole can of premium white albacore from the living room window. Grrrr. Well, we got lucky I guess. He apparently ate more of the rodenticide than I thought. I found him this morning right on the outside of the privacy fence surrounding the chicken run. Daddybird 1; Raccoons 0. I would much rather catch and release these guys. So here is my question: Should I assume there is a second raccoon I will need to deal with?

 

[TShelton54]

And a third and fourth.

 

[Raven1]

On the catch and release thing, I wish you would not do that. All that does is put it in someone elses chicken path and the coon is being placed in another coons territory and will have a huge fight on his hands. It is better all the way around if you just dispatch him.

 

[Penny Hen]

What is it with people?? I cried all the way to work one morning because I was just sure I had run over a big frog. I've nearly wrecked trying to avoid cats, dogs, possums, raccoons..and of course DEER. It amazes me that someone would go out of their way to deliberately run down an animal!!!

Well there is a jerk who lives up the street who has a pickup truck that the horn places "Dixie". My cousin saw him do the same thing with one of their dogs a few years ago. Of course because he was a minor at the time his word wasn't taken against the adult who said the dog came out in the street. I think he is the culprit.

 

[ChickenManTN]

On the catch and release thing, I wish you would not do that. All that does is put it in someone elses chicken path and the coon is being placed in another coons territory and will have a huge fight on his hands. It is better all the way around if you just dispatch him.

I agree. I'm pretty sure that its illegal for just anyone to relocate them.

 

[DaddyBird]

Quote: I normally let my extra squirrels go at Severe Park (I can't get my wife to go for squirrel & dumplins). Otherwise my attic fills up with walnuts shells and poop. I am in town where it is illegal for me to fire a gun. Drowning in the trap or beating it to death seem a bit too dramatic. If another makes an appearance and I am able to capture it, I will worry about it then.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I don't know about the legalities of relocating but he is in city limits and can't use a fire arm either. I guess you could use other methods to dispatch them. I would dispatch them too.... might come back with friends....

I had one get in my Leghorn pen. Not sure what he was doing... it was young. My chickens didn't seem to care that he was in the coop. He may have eaten some eggs IDK. Anyway he got out and hide under the coop. I could not get him out..... he had to go. Funny the chickens have the same reaction to snakes eating there eggs..... they have to go to. I will take them to the creek if I can I know they will come back for more.

 

[pattersonml]

Another possibility if you try to live trap them is take them to a friend in the country who can either rehome them away from an area where there is poultry, yes it may go to another raccoon's territory but they have ways of establishing their own heirarchy, or take him to someone who can dispose of them humanely and can actually make use of the skins as well. I have studied different tanning procedures and raccoons and squirrels can make some very nice soft pelts for gloves and lining as well. As far as squirrel and dumplings go, remind her of what everyone's parents used to say, " You don't know you don't like it til you try it."

 

[Raven1]

I normally let my extra squirrels go at Severe Park (I can't get my wife to go for squirrel & dumplins). Otherwise my attic fills up with walnuts shells and poop. I am in town where it is illegal for me to fire a gun. Drowning in the trap or beating it to death seem a bit too dramatic. If another makes an appearance and I am able to capture it, I will worry about it then.

Squirrels I get for sure on the release. Did not know you were in the city so yes the gun is out and drowning and beating to death just seems cruel. I am a bit weird like that I don't mind killing an animal I just want it quick. I don't want to hurt them in the process, now all of you can tell me I am crazy just like my family!