finesse_r
Member
None of this was clear in your first posting. People can only read what you write, they cannot read your mind!
Raccoons!
- Thread starter Coaltminer
- Start date
None of this was clear in your first posting. People can only read what you write, they cannot read your mind!
"I want them to be wild, as mother nature intended"
"They love the water bowl I put out for them!"
"Don't tell me stuff I already know."
How are we to know what you know? The mind reader app on my computer isn't working today.
"They love the water bowl I put out for them!"
"Don't tell me stuff I already know."
How are we to know what you know? The mind reader app on my computer isn't working today.
rburg
Member
Yep, they're just pests. Just because you like them doesn't mean others will, and you'll end up infesting your entire neighborhood. When we moved to this house in 1995 we couldn't even put the garbage outside. They'd tear into it and distribute it all over the back yard/deck/pool. So one night I thought I'd be cute and try to shoo one away. It charged! So I pulled the door shut and it slammed into it! Ok, it went back to spreading garbage so I guessed its charge was a fluke. It was charging the next time before I even got the door open. It wouldn't tolerate me on my porch. So I just went to my gun safe, selected a kit gun, loaded it up and went back to the door. It charged and I shot it. I have no idea where I hit it, but it kind of wobbled off the porch. That spring we had a smell out back. It only lasted a month or two into nice weather.
Then I changed weapons. I moved up to a 547 with shot cartridges. Those things are powerful and loud. By June one son came over and asked if I had trouble with woodpeckers around the pool. It was all those holes in the steps and downspout. Guess it wasn't a clear shot after all. Didn't bother me, I discovered they learned fast or something. I'd shoot one and we'd not have trouble for weeks or a month. Then a new one would move in for the easy pickin's. One neighbor asked if I'd ever heard gun shots late at night.
Back in the 1970s and 80s we lived 2 doors away (I may move, but not far). We'd been having a problem back then with our garbage. One night I heard my neighbors garbage can go crash. Looked outside with a flashlight and saw what I thought was a bear cub backing out of the can. It was just a huge old coon. So the following week I mentioned to the neighbor not to worry if he heard a 22 go off. He was a good guy and understood. He agreed with my solution. So garbage night I was all set up at a back window. Had it open with a chair and my trusty old 22. I sat there and right on schedule, I could hear trash cans crashing down off the hill (like where I live now.) I could hear him coming closer and figured He'd be up here in 5 minutes. Then there was a gunshot in the night air. No more crashing cans. Another hillbilly had the same solution as I used.
And on the subject of taking non-traditional pets, ask Charlie Sherrill about it. He used to have a neighbor that lived on a creek. He had a cable stretched across the creek with a chain hanging down. The other end was attached to an old alligator the guy kept as a pet. No one came near. I wonder why? I think he wrote here a while back that the gator had died.
Then I changed weapons. I moved up to a 547 with shot cartridges. Those things are powerful and loud. By June one son came over and asked if I had trouble with woodpeckers around the pool. It was all those holes in the steps and downspout. Guess it wasn't a clear shot after all. Didn't bother me, I discovered they learned fast or something. I'd shoot one and we'd not have trouble for weeks or a month. Then a new one would move in for the easy pickin's. One neighbor asked if I'd ever heard gun shots late at night.
Back in the 1970s and 80s we lived 2 doors away (I may move, but not far). We'd been having a problem back then with our garbage. One night I heard my neighbors garbage can go crash. Looked outside with a flashlight and saw what I thought was a bear cub backing out of the can. It was just a huge old coon. So the following week I mentioned to the neighbor not to worry if he heard a 22 go off. He was a good guy and understood. He agreed with my solution. So garbage night I was all set up at a back window. Had it open with a chair and my trusty old 22. I sat there and right on schedule, I could hear trash cans crashing down off the hill (like where I live now.) I could hear him coming closer and figured He'd be up here in 5 minutes. Then there was a gunshot in the night air. No more crashing cans. Another hillbilly had the same solution as I used.
And on the subject of taking non-traditional pets, ask Charlie Sherrill about it. He used to have a neighbor that lived on a creek. He had a cable stretched across the creek with a chain hanging down. The other end was attached to an old alligator the guy kept as a pet. No one came near. I wonder why? I think he wrote here a while back that the gator had died.
OP
Coaltminer
Member
Would I shoot one, hell yeah, but I can't see it for sport. Their lives mean as much to them as mine does to me. I have hunted and killed for meat, not anymore, but I have no objection to those that do. I can get all the meat I want at Krogers now, but I appreciate life of any kind more, now
kwselke
Member
Would you feel the same way if they were Norway Rats? I think of ridding homes of raccoons the same as ridding them of rats. It's not sport, it's just something you do quickly and efficiently.
My dog Toaster was attacked by a raccoon - YouTube
OP
Coaltminer
Member
What has happened to "common sense.". An OSHA inspector once told me to put a guard around a part of a machine. I said its common sense, he replied "there is no common sense!". Kee-rist in the Andes, I'm TOOO old!
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Coon bait?
I've had raccoons occasionally wondering through the yard for decades. Generally they have no interest in cats and don't view the cats as a competitor for territory. However two things put your cats at serious risk. First cats sometimes drive off raccoons because cats are territorial. The coons just walk away because it's easier than fussing with the cats. The cats get more assertive until eventually the coon has had enough then rips the cat to pieces. Literally to pieces. The second is if they are eating out of the same bowl and there isn't a generous supply of food for both of them. A coon just ripped a 3" X 4" patch of skin off my neighbor's cat's neck squabbling over a common food dish. It's ugly. The skin was hanging down exposing the cat's mussels. My suggestion is don't feed coons if you have outside cats.
I need a little help choosing bait that will draw coons away from my apple crop into a trap. The problem is they love the fruit. Any suggestions?
I've had raccoons occasionally wondering through the yard for decades. Generally they have no interest in cats and don't view the cats as a competitor for territory. However two things put your cats at serious risk. First cats sometimes drive off raccoons because cats are territorial. The coons just walk away because it's easier than fussing with the cats. The cats get more assertive until eventually the coon has had enough then rips the cat to pieces. Literally to pieces. The second is if they are eating out of the same bowl and there isn't a generous supply of food for both of them. A coon just ripped a 3" X 4" patch of skin off my neighbor's cat's neck squabbling over a common food dish. It's ugly. The skin was hanging down exposing the cat's mussels. My suggestion is don't feed coons if you have outside cats.
I need a little help choosing bait that will draw coons away from my apple crop into a trap. The problem is they love the fruit. Any suggestions?
shaggist
US Veteran
If you want to lure them into a trap, try peanut butter. Works like a champ.
kwselke
Member
Dry dog food or feed corn is what I've used, but there was no apple crop to compete with. I've heard that canned fish like tuna and sardines also works, but that could get expensive.
OP
Coaltminer
Member
Probably think the same way. I know I'm wired differently, not saying its right, it is what it is. I capture and carry wasps out of the house. *** is wrong with me?
policerevolvercollector
Member
I worked a case once where two "domesticated" raccoons mauled and nearly killed an infant. Animal Control or your state Dept. of Natural Resources will take of them for you.
HKB
US Veteran
I would remove their outdoor food before things get out of hand. My family cat used to scrap with coons and they often got the best out of him. Poor cat literally got his *** handed to him on a few occasions. He was one big proud American shorthair... and I'm sure if he could have talked he would have bragged about his fighting skills. The vet bills were not a pretty sight though... neither was he after a stand up drag down MMA style fight.
zzzippper
Member
I saw a news story about a guy that had a "pet" raccoon. The thing got into the walls and destroyed the place. He couldn't catch it himself and IT (only one!) had done massive damage.
OP
Coaltminer
Member
My cats don't question the raccoons authority, although I saw a neighbors tomcat(now ours, since they moved)bowl one over. I know they can kill a cat or dog.
Years ago I knew someone who had a pet Possum. Penelope never bit anyone and was always a sweetheart.
What does this have to do with "Coaltminers" Raccoons? I dunno, except that although it's well known they are vicious and destructive they look cute and cuddely and Hollywood loves to star them in movies.
Poor ol' Possum never makes it into film. Except maybe as a giant mutant rat that was created by radioactivity or genetic modification in a evil Govt. experiment that went wrong.
The Raccoons definitely hired a better PR firm.
What does this have to do with "Coaltminers" Raccoons? I dunno, except that although it's well known they are vicious and destructive they look cute and cuddely and Hollywood loves to star them in movies.
Poor ol' Possum never makes it into film. Except maybe as a giant mutant rat that was created by radioactivity or genetic modification in a evil Govt. experiment that went wrong.
The Raccoons definitely hired a better PR firm.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Well said.
These are intelligent, opportunistic, fascinating and dangerous animals. You want them to be wild, yet are teaching them to be very-slightly-domesticated panhandlers who will be quite capable, like Yellowstone bears, of turning on you if the handouts dry up.
If you truly want them to be happily wild, live-trap them and move them somewhere they can be real raccoons and not moochers.
They are strong, I saw a video on YouTube where the Raccoon was strong enough to pop the garage door and get out. I had one living in my attic for years. It cost me $500 for the repair work to secure the house so that raccoon could not force his way back in.
In Anchorage if a bear is getting into the garbage the police have to go in and shoot them. My son was camping out and left some hot dogs laying around and a little two or three hundred pound bear made a mess out of his tent and camp site.
papajohn428
Member
Many years ago a friend built a homemade camper for his '53 Chevy pickup truck. He did a really nice job on it, with heavy gauge steel and angle iron, he even put a vent in the top. But while camping he left food in the truck, and during a two hour hike the local raccoons sniffed out his stash and DESTROYED the camper, they ripped it open like it was a Jiffy-Pop container and shredded everything.
Never underestimate the damage a hungry, determined, or angry critter can do!
Never underestimate the damage a hungry, determined, or angry critter can do!
I live out in a wooded area here in Tennessee and the hug a tree folks probably won't like this comment but the fact is although coons are cute and cuddly in appearance they are extreemly destructive, dangerous and can wreck your place in short order if you don't get rid of those suckers not to mention harming your pets, carrying rabies etc. etc. Coons are very agile and smart and can wreck a freight train with a tennis ball if they want to.About a month ago some coons moved in on my neighbor and myself My neighbor and best friend likes to trap them and carry them off down the road and turn 'em loose.I respect him for his choice but they will only come back again eventually. Me I waste them with a 357 and get it over with. My choice.
