OK, it's personal now

[walnutred]

We've been dealing with a minor varmint infestation, mainly they've been causing mischief in Mrs. Walnut Reds flowers and garden. So I set out a live trap with apple and marshmallows and the first night I caught a large raccoon. Reset the trap that night and the next morning found the trap had been emptied of bait, flipped completely over and no varmint. Third night I rebaited the trap but staked it down with long metal rods. There was a medium sized raccoon waiting in the trap.

Last night I rebaited and staked the trap. Woke up to not only find the trap had been raided without setting it off but my trash can had been tipped over AND there was a large pile of raccoon droppings in front of BOTH my back doors!!!!

Tonight I've staked the trap to the ground and wired the bait into the cage. We'll see what the morning brings. My next step is an all night vigil with a motion sensor light.

 

[fiasconva]

Looks as if you've started a war with a smart and experienced racoon. He is telling you to " bring it" after leaving you the droppings. It could get very interesting for you. I have a feeling you are up to the challenge. Please keep us informed.

 

[Rustyt1953]

They laugh at our folly.

 

[taz666]

12gauge to the chest.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I prefer not to take the life of the little bandits if I can teach them to avoid my home. I colored the first raccoon I caught in "Scarlet" RIT dye. Two days later I spray painted another raccoon; and it looked ready to attend a Grateful Dead concert. If I see them again they get relocated to a county park eight miles away.

You do have to stake the traps down and I secure my bait in a metal suet holder suspended by carabiners over the trigger plate. This way the critter has to enter the trap to try to get the bait.

 

[Retired W4]

The neighbors will never know. Just make it a head shot.

 

[ColbyBruce]

The neighbors will never know. Just make it a head shot.

Did you paint that Ruger yourself?

 

[Onomea]

Mano - a - Coono! Go get 'em, Red!

 

[Retired W4]

Did you paint that Ruger yourself?

Custom Digital Designs cerocote. I've got a matching Mk II Target as well.

AAC Scarab is on the muzzle. Raccoon infestation solved.

 

[pasound]

My local outdoor range sits inside a county park, designated as a game preserve. No shooting the birds and animals. Except racoons. They are pests everywhere in the area.

A 22 bolt action with shorts and a suppressor is basically too quiet to hear. A good CO2 pistol with pellets is about the same volume.

 

[walnutred]

I live in a rural area so occasional random gun shots is nothing to be concerned about. I find a 22 revolver to be effective once it's light enough to see the front sight. Relocating critters with a tendency to damage crops would be seriously frowned upon by my neighbors. Raccoons will do more damage to a corn field than deer. Anyway, in Ohio I think you need a permit to relocate wildlife.

 

[Oldengineer]

I had a similar problem. I talked with the DNR ranger and his advice was the three S's. Shoot em, shovel em, and shut up.

 

[dsf]

I have a place in southern OR and it's rural. I listen to a show called "The Rogue Gardener" to learn some things and a "city fella'" transplant called asking about his squirrel problem. He was told to trap them. He asked about relocating them and was told "bad idea" because it could spread disease. When he commented "then trapping doesn't help because after they're released they just come back"

"You don't release them ....." was the answer from the radio.

Slight pause and a really meek "OK, well - um .... thanks" and I could tell the guy was just shocked as heck.

 

[armadillo]

When you go after raccoons, have a plan to deal with a skunk in your trap. I speak from experience.

 

[lihpster]

When you go after raccoons, have a plan to deal with a skunk in your trap. I speak from experience.

Confucious say, "If you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."


Lihpster say, "Dig 6 or 7. that way, if the body count rises, you don't have to waste time with a shovel."

 

[Greyman50]

Afraid medium ConAbear traps may be the answer. CCI " Quiets" in any rifle are less noise than pump up 22 pellet rifle.

 

[jimmyj]

bolt action .22 rifle with CB caps.
have a ready dug grave
shoot and shovel
( so I have been told)

 

[ColbyBruce]

When you go after raccoons, have a plan to deal with a skunk in your trap. I speak from experience.

Skunks in a Hav-A-Hart type trap can be covered with a tarp and a pipe slid up under the tarp. The other end of the pipe needs to be connected to the exhaust system of an older pre-emissions vehicle or riding mower or ATV.

 

[K Frame Keith]

Damn! Some of this advice is cold! I for one appreciate the challenge of making my home a hard target. We get raccoons…and larger opponents!

 

[walter o]

IO live next to CHICAGO and shots at nite are not un common usually 9mm or 223 some tines a fourtay is heard nobody gets excited.