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We've had problems with coons getting into the cattle feed and killing poultry. Since our birds are a business, we have a "take no prisoners" policy. I used leg-hold traps attached to a chain and anchored to a telephone pole. I used a HEAVY concrete block once and caught a BIG coon that started dragging the block away with 20' of chain! I ran the chain into the feed barrel and put a dog tie-out anchor down into the feed to keep the chain from pulling loose on it's own. The steel traps were hooked onto the end and placed on the top of the cattle feed. The board on the barrel was left open a little, but where the traps could only be reached by something trying to get into the barrel. When the coons reached into the opening they would trip one or more traps. Once they were attached to the trap(s) they get pretty upset and start trying to get away and will bite and chew up anything they can reach. One big male turned a pile of feed sacks into confetti and nearly chewed through a 1" x 3" hardwood board! You don't want to give the chain much slack or leave anything of value within reach. I caught 7 coons in three nights using this method and they quit coming around. 5 were a single family unit of mom, dad and three young males. I think they got used to feed being stored there before we bought the place. Everything is stored now in steel drums or trash cans with rubber straps on the lids. I gave the carcasses to a friend and his Boy Scout Troop skinned and tanned the hides. CAUTION: If you ever use steel leg-hold traps be careful who you tell. They are illegal in many places and the bunny & tree huggers might cause a fuss if they find out. Raccoons have a changing diet throughout the year. They usually seek more protein in late winter - early spring (this is when they are the worst about getting poultry). Their diet will change during the summer and fall to include more fruits and berries. Don't assume that a coon that stops coming to your house this year is gone for good. It may be back next year around the same time, and he may bring a few friends. I prefer to fence out wildlife instead of attempting to kill the never ending supply of God's little furry creatures, but I make exceptions for skunks and coons. If you have ever had the experience of walking into a poultry pen after a coon visit you will understand what I mean.
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