Raccoon control...

[Dan In MI]

I sure wouldn’t pay somebody $75 to come get a critter I’ve caught myself and haul it off.

You aren't alone in that regard.

I don't know of any 'coon hunters up here. Trapping and releasing them myself is starting to sound like the best option.

[1967redrider]

Dan, the video I posted says pipe traps will not catch cats. Per the explanation of how they work, my interpretation is the trigger does not trip the trap unless the bait is grasped and pulled, which cats and dogs can’t do. But raccoons can since they have human-like “fingers”.

FWIW I have never caught a cat in a pipe trap but have caught several in a cage type live trap. In my post I said to research it for cats because I don’t want to be responsible for steering you wrong. After re-watching the video about pipe traps it seems they’re safe for cats and dogs. BTW here’s a Cabela’s ad for them that says safe for dogs and cats. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/duke-tr ... ccoon-trap

Ken

You couldn't coon-finger any other way, Ken.

[tongueriver]

Trapping and releasing them myself is starting to sound like the best option.

No it is not. You release any coon or cat and you better do it 200 miles away or they will be right back. They need to be terminated.

[eveled]

Here if you trap them you have two options release immediately or terminate them. You cannot transport them.

[zzyzzogeton]

The "take them out to the country and dump them" is a BAD idea. First off, we don't need or want any more of the damn things. They just cause more problems for the country folk. Secondly, in many states it is illegal to transport and release wild animals.

When I catch someone dumping anything on the property, regardless of what it is, I get an LP if I can (I have 27 cameras scattered about) and call the Sheriff's Department, or if critters, Texas Parks and Wildlife. Having to pay to get rid of 248 used tires that were dumped on our property REALLY pissed me off.

We had another dog dumped yesterday. Probably down the road or at the highway, We're the first house off the highway so we get more than most of the folks on our road. There's been 5 dogs and 3 cats so far this year (2021).

To take a dog or cat to the county pound, I waste time catching it, waste 2 hours to haul it 26 miles, turn it in and drive home. If the "free" county drop off is full and I gotta go to a "townie" pound, which adds an extra hour to the ordeal and I gotta pay $50 to drop it off.

People dump off their dogs in the country and just expect "coutry folk" to care for them. Doesn't happen.

Most dogs that get dumped in the country end up dieing-

either from starvation because they've been fed all their life and have no skills in hunting,
or
from being run over because, again they have been pampered most of their life, and have no clue about traffic
or
because they start chasing cows/sheep/goats and get blown away by a pissed off farmer/rancher
or
they get taken to a pound where they MAY get euthanized because they don't get adopted and the pound is full.

Some get kept, but it's rare. Most country folk that want dogs already have as many as they want or can handle.

[Colonel26]

Far be it for me to encourage anyone to break a law, but, if you were to use one of the dog proof traps a good pellet gun and a properly placed head shot would work. Or, if you want a bit more power but no more sound, a 22 cb short out of an older long barreled 22 rifle is often quieter than a pellet gun. Just a thought. I am in no way suggesting you do this.

CA64CBE1-39D8-41E8-A790-6380636BF35A.jpeg (49 KiB) Viewed 1870 times

[Dan In MI]

Far be it for me to encourage anyone to break a law...

I thought about getting a Ruger 10/22 with a Silent-SR/ISB...but that would be quite expensive, even before the paperwork. Though my neighbors probably wouldn't get too panicky over gunshots, a firearm may not be the best option. I'm definitely not trying to get myself in trouble with the law.

Nor am I going to take a 400-mile round trip to relocate them, only to have them pester the country folk. A compromise will have to be made somewhere, and I believe "good compromise" is an oxymoron.

[bestgear]

Tools needed: Bait, Havaheart Trap, Garbage Can, Water

Step 1: Bait Trap
Step 2: Fill Garbage Can With Water
Step 3: Trap Coon
Step 4: Submerge Trap & Coon In Water & Cover
Step 5: Discard Carcass In Regular Trash

YMMV - save your ammo and your neighbors

Same formula works on squirrels, woodchucks, opossum, cats and fox.

[just bob]

I'm a bit of a nature freak and wish we could all exist in harmony, but I know it can't be. There are situations that require attention. I don't understand the senseless killing of animals and have never thought catching a fish or killing a deer makes you a man. IMO there is much more to it than that. In the last year I have seen 2 eagles, countless deer, and the assortment of wildlife Indiana offers. Last week I saw at least 10 rabbits in my backyard and share my sweet corn with the racoons on a seasonal basis. I have garden snakes that reside in my rock pile. I had to shoot a ground hog that had taken up residence under my storage shed. I have trapped racoons and agree with what others say about them returning. Try spray painting their backs with blue or green paint while they're in the trap and before you release them and sure enough you're likely to see the same ones back again. We have a huge nature area near here and I let them go there if I catch one. My latest experience involves a feral cat. I lost my dog Hunter who was a tri color beagle and at some point after that I started t notice a tri color calico cat hanging around my back yard. I suspect it was due to the rabbit population. There is a field behind my house that isn't mowed regularly. Anyway I started leaving scraps of food out for the cat and she kept returning. I wasn't 100% sure she was a female until one day she showed up with 2 kittens and that removed all doubt. I'm not about to start a feral cat colony and with some effort managed to catch the mother in a live trap. I took her to the low cost spay / neuter clinic where they routinely treat feral cats. SHE IS WILD. While she was there I came back and got the kittens that were in my sunroom and took them to the local animal shelter for adoption. Went back that evening and got the mother cat I have named Wildfire and let her loose. They clipped her ear and that is an indication of a feral cat that has been spayed / neutered. She still hates me but loves my food - far easier than catching rabbits I suppose. I have managed to give her flea and wormer meds. She roams the neighborhood and the neighbors are aware of her. I think she actually resides in an old storage building that is a couple of hundred yards from my property. I wish I could do more to maintain the wildlife in this area. There is so much beauty in nature. I'm thankful we don't have rattlers and bears here. It's an enjoyment to watch Wildfire living the life God intended for her. So far as it is possible - she is free.

[1967redrider]

Far be it for me to encourage anyone to break a law...

I thought about getting a Ruger 10/22 with a Silent-SR/ISB...but that would be quite expensive, even before the paperwork. Though my neighbors probably wouldn't get too panicky over gunshots, a firearm may not be the best option. I'm definitely not trying to get myself in trouble with the law.

Nor am I going to take a 400-mile round trip to relocate them, only to have them pester the country folk. A compromise will have to be made somewhere, and I believe "good compromise" is an oxymoron.

I recommend Ruger's 10/22, I'm more than tickled with mine and the aftermarket options are almost limitless.

[Colonel26]

Far be it for me to encourage anyone to break a law...

I thought about getting a Ruger 10/22 with a Silent-SR/ISB...but that would be quite expensive, even before the paperwork. Though my neighbors probably wouldn't get too panicky over gunshots, a firearm may not be the best option. I'm definitely not trying to get myself in trouble with the law.

Nor am I going to take a 400-mile round trip to relocate them, only to have them pester the country folk. A compromise will have to be made somewhere, and I believe "good compromise" is an oxymoron.

I recommend Ruger's 10/22, I'm more than tickled with mine and the aftermarket options are almost limitless.

I don’t have a 10-22 anymore, but in my pile of 22’s the hands down quietest (and one of the most accurate) is my old Stevens 87 (also known as a Savage 6). Even with lr it is crazy quite to shoot, but with CB shorts (which a 10/22 won’t shoot) it is quieter than an air rifle.

They can usually be had really cheap in the used gun rack. If you run up on one, pick it up. They’re a lot of fun.

[Dan In MI]

In my pile of 22’s the hands down quietest (and one of the most accurate) is my old Stevens 87 (also known as a Savage 6).

I've put many rounds through a 10/22 (as well as a Ruger MKII Government, which is a lot of fun to shoot), but never a Stevens 87. Might be worth picking up one!

[KLJ77]

Raccoon control...

Buy some liquid coyote urine and create a 'pee-remiter' around your house or trouble area. Once raccoons smell the coyote urine, they will immediately leave the area. Coyote's are a raccoons # 1 enemy.

[edge213]

Tools needed: Bait, Havaheart Trap, Garbage Can, Water

Step 1: Bait Trap
Step 2: Fill Garbage Can With Water
Step 3: Trap Coon
Step 4: Submerge Trap & Coon In Water & Cover
Step 5: Discard Carcass In Regular Trash

YMMV - save your ammo and your neighbors

Same formula works on squirrels, woodchucks, opossum, cats and fox.

I'm certainly no bleeding heart tree hugging liberal by any stretch of the imagination, but this seems kinda cruel to me.
I have no problem with a quick death via a .22 to the head. Death by drowning is just not right.

[1967redrider]

I thought about getting a Ruger 10/22 with a Silent-SR/ISB...but that would be quite expensive, even before the paperwork. Though my neighbors probably wouldn't get too panicky over gunshots, a firearm may not be the best option. I'm definitely not trying to get myself in trouble with the law.

Nor am I going to take a 400-mile round trip to relocate them, only to have them pester the country folk. A compromise will have to be made somewhere, and I believe "good compromise" is an oxymoron.

I recommend Ruger's 10/22, I'm more than tickled with mine and the aftermarket options are almost limitless.

I don’t have a 10-22 anymore, but in my pile of 22’s the hands down quietest (and one of the most accurate) is my old Stevens 87 (also known as a Savage 6). Even with lr it is crazy quite to shoot, but with CB shorts (which a 10/22 won’t shoot) it is quieter than an air rifle.

They can usually be had really cheap in the used gun rack. If you run up on one, pick it up. They’re a lot of fun.

Good point on the semi-auto feeding, Colonel.

[royal0014]

Tools needed: Bait, Havaheart Trap, Garbage Can, Water
Step 1: Bait Trap
Step 2: Fill Garbage Can With Water
Step 3: Trap Coon
Step 4: Submerge Trap & Coon In Water & Cover
Step 5: Discard Carcass In Regular Trash
YMMV - save your ammo and your neighbors
Same formula works on squirrels, woodchucks, opossum, cats and fox.

I'm certainly no bleeding heart tree hugging liberal by any stretch of the imagination, but this seems kinda cruel to me.
I have no problem with a quick death via a .22 to the head. Death by drowning is just not right.

Agreed. I can be a cold heart sob when it comes to strays and pests, but that's too much ...

[1967redrider]

I'll tell you what varmint burns my @$$ is the groundhog. They really tear the heck out of dirt floors inside of barns and sheds, and try driving a tractor through the field after they've set up a mine field. Not fun.

[Colonel26]

I'll tell you what varmint burns my @$$ is the groundhog. They really tear the heck out of dirt floors inside of barns and sheds, and try driving a tractor through the field after they've set up a mine field. Not fun.

Whistle pigs aka groundhogs are under a permanent death sentence on my place. This one dared move into my barn. The shockwave made quick work of him.

[1967redrider]

I'll tell you what varmint burns my @$$ is the groundhog. They really tear the heck out of dirt floors inside of barns and sheds, and try driving a tractor through the field after they've set up a mine field. Not fun.

Whistle pigs aka groundhogs are under a permanent death sentence on my place. This one dared move into my barn. The shockwave made quick work of him.

96E58A40-8A37-4140-ADB8-31565E8275B8.jpeg0852EE80-CB0D-4B64-ACC1-396D647F0CEE.jpeg

[bestgear]

I’m sorry if my post offended anyone, that was not my intended outcome of providing a low-cost legal and lethal dispatch option that wouldn’t disturb the urban neighbors to the OP, nothing more, nothing less. Sorry

[Mumbleypeg]

Tom I actually have a squirrel trap designed to drown them. Picked it up in a box with some other stuff at a garage sale. It has a plastic tub that came with it into which the cage may be submerged. I’ve never used it - took me a while to find out what it was, until a neighbor told me. After I knew what to look for it didn’t take long to find similar contraptions online. https://squirrelinator.com/

Don’t mean to offend anyone. Having seen nature at work, predators and prey, I’m not so sure drowning is the worst outcome for a squirrel or other wild animal.

Ken

[Colonel26]

Tom I actually have a squirrel trap designed to drown them. Picked it up in a box with some other stuff at a garage sale. It has a plastic tub that came with it into which the cage may be submerged. I’ve never used it - took me a while to find out what it was, until a neighbor told me. After I knew what to look for it didn’t take long to find similar contraptions online. https://squirrelinator.com/

Don’t mean to offend anyone. Have seen nature at work, predators and prey, I’m not so sure drowning is the worst outcome for a squirrel or other wild animal.

Ken

I’m sorry if my post offended anyone, that was not my intended outcome of providing a low-cost legal and lethal dispatch option that wouldn’t disturb the urban neighbors to the OP, nothing more, nothing less. Sorry

No offense here.

Ken, I’ve never seen one of those things, but it doesn’t surprise me they exist. Squirrels are a huge nuisance here and cost folks quite a bit in chewed wires, etc…. It seems hardly anybody hunts them any more and even folks that don’t allow any other kind of hunting will beg you to come shoot the squirrels.

We now have the black mouth cur and hope to put a huge dent in the squirrel population this fall, maybe some coons and possums too.

Squirrel and dumplin’s anyone???

[Mumbleypeg]

The ironic thing is, living several miles from the nearest town I have no need for the contraption. At least not the drowning tub part.

Ken

[eveled]

I thought about getting a Ruger 10/22 with a Silent-SR/ISB...but that would be quite expensive, even before the paperwork. Though my neighbors probably wouldn't get too panicky over gunshots, a firearm may not be the best option. I'm definitely not trying to get myself in trouble with the law.

Nor am I going to take a 400-mile round trip to relocate them, only to have them pester the country folk. A compromise will have to be made somewhere, and I believe "good compromise" is an oxymoron.

I recommend Ruger's 10/22, I'm more than tickled with mine and the aftermarket options are almost limitless.

I don’t have a 10-22 anymore, but in my pile of 22’s the hands down quietest (and one of the most accurate) is my old Stevens 87 (also known as a Savage 6). Even with lr it is crazy quite to shoot, but with CB shorts (which a 10/22 won’t shoot) it is quieter than an air rifle.

They can usually be had really cheap in the used gun rack. If you run up on one, pick it up. They’re a lot of fun.

You can get CB longs the 10/22 will shoot those. You just have to cycle it manually. Not much different than a bolt gun at that point.

Instead of drowning caged animals my old neighbor would put them to sleep with carbon monoxide. He’d attach a hose to the tail pipe of his lawn tractor run into the trap and cover it with a blanket.

He also would stick the hose into any holes in his lawn or rock wall to euthanize chip minks in their home.

[royal0014]

my old neighbor would put them to sleep with carbon monoxide.

Interesting . . . .