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OT: Racoon Invader

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John IL

05-26-2005 05:48:45




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Hey Fellas,
I need some advise on dealing with racoons. I live in town (a very small town) and I have racoon trouble. I store my dog's food in a large Rubbermaid plastic tub behind my house. Two nights ago, a racoon managed to turn over and break into this 50lb tub of dog food. Well, he came back for more last night. He almost had the lid off of the tub when I chased him away. I laid a cinder block on top of the tub to keep him out. The only problem is now I have to heft that block to feed my dog. Any suggestions on how to keep the coons out? And remember, I'm not allowed to shoot the little pests in town. Thanks.

John

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Pete's '47

05-26-2005 20:43:39




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
Funny you should post about this. I just got off the phone with my son. He came home a little while ago and let the dog out to p!ss and the dog headed to the barn and in the center partition under the front was a 'coon. He shined a light over the wall just in time to see both square off for a second before the dog had the coon by the back of the neck and shook the life out of it. He (the kid!) said it was about 20#. Not very pretty, but effective. Pete

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Bill Drew

05-26-2005 20:16:33




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
Get a live trap. Haul the critter out to a gravel pit somewhere and SSS. Tell anyone who asks that you take them out to the country, just don't say anything about the small bit of lead you implanted in their brain before turning them loose.



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duey

05-26-2005 12:50:41




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 Electric Fence. in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
John, you can wire around the storage bin and even have a handy disconnect if you want to get creative... The critter are smart enough but I don't think they'll turn off the fencer to get a snack.

Fencing is easy to do, very effective and probably very legal. It will work around the sweet corn, too. Even dogs and deer, if you have any, will learn respect... (kids, too. No permanent harm!)

I'd remind you to turn it off before you go in to feed the dog, but that reminder will take care of itself!!!! No more cemente block! :-) duey

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TIMW(PA)

05-26-2005 12:48:07




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
Coons need water to eat as they dont have saliva glands. That why you always see them dipping there food in water at a creek bank. So short of using a pellet gun rated at 1,000 FPS then I would go ahead and let them have another meal of dry dog food with a pan of antifreeze beside it for them to drink...Worth a try. My RWS Diana pellet gun though works just as good as a 22 without the noise



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Michael SWOK

05-26-2005 11:05:44




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
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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6N's Short

05-26-2005 11:22:40




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to Michael SWOK, 05-26-2005 11:05:44  
I also raise poultry. Everything Michael has told you is right on the mark.



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Ken in MI

05-26-2005 10:08:09




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
50 lbs of dog food? Sounds like you have a big dog. Dogs were made to chase coons. What's your dog doing when the coon comes? I agree with the others, you must get rid of them. Please, if you live trap it, do not turn it loose "in the country", a coon that comes to a house will find another house to go to, finish him.



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OH Boy

05-26-2005 10:40:27




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 10:20:28  
If you don't want to shoot it, whatever method you decide on, just make sure you use the other parts of the SSS method. Have a shovel handy, and SHUT UP about it!

I would shoot it (nobody will know where that shot came from if you don't make a big deal about it. Leave the dead coon lie for a few hours until the neighbors go back to watching American Idol)! Then get rid of it.

I worry about that poison method, you could catch the neighbors dogs & cats that way.

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Steve (Magnolia, TX)

05-26-2005 10:22:55




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 10:20:28  
Got a bow?

I doubt the local 'gubment'(I like that reference, by the way :-) ) could hear you shoot him that way...


Steve



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John IL

05-26-2005 10:35:44




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to Steve (Magnolia, TX), 05-26-2005 10:22:55  
Steve,
Ah, but the local cop shop is only a block away as the crow flys. Besides, the firearms orrdinances are there for a reason. Discharging a shotgun in a populated area isn't a very safe practice. I'll save my gun play for the trap range. Thanks.

John



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Lytemup

05-26-2005 09:18:23




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
if you can't shoot em, u gotta trap em. otherwise it will be a continous battle. there's most certainly more than one in the vicinity also...



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BillM (OH)

05-26-2005 07:38:58




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader Don't Do This in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
Shot one (as usual) with the 12 gauge a while back, only forgot about the iron bird feeder which was still out there.....one pellet ricocheted, hit the patio door, & goodbye glass!!! I'll hear about this one for the rest of my life!!!



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OH Boy

05-26-2005 06:49:40




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
I would shoot him with a 22 bird shot load. Or perhaps one of those high powered pump-up air pellet rifles would work.

Hes gonna keep coming back.



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Bryan in WI

05-26-2005 10:59:19




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to OH Boy, 05-26-2005 06:49:40  
I"ve killed big raccoons with an airgun before, if airguns are still allowed in your area. Airguns are quiet too, and the range is limited so you won"t hurt anyone by accident. You have to hit the raccoon just right to get them with one shot, and be within say 50 yards because the pellets slow down fast, but it can be done and good airguns are very accurate. The raccoons go for my sweet corn like crazy.

Check your local laws. Around here you are allowed to use a light at night to get them too once you have located them (you can"t just shine all over the place). Raccoons will allow you to get really close at night.

Bryan

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Used car salesman

05-26-2005 07:07:10




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to OH Boy, 05-26-2005 06:49:40  
IF you go to TSC and look in the section where they have insect repellents you will find something called (i think) "fly bait" and it is in little green canisters....

mix that stuff and a can of coke and let it sit out where your dog or cat CANNOT get to it.

You will find your coon no more than 5' from this stuff the next morning

I will call my uncle and ask him exactly what it is. Saw it in action last week....three dead coons no more than a couple of paces from the can.

worked better than a 12 guage

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Steve (Magnolia, TX)

05-26-2005 06:47:13




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
I store my feed in 30 gallon, galvanized trash cans. I use a (single) bunji cord from a can handle, over the lid (through the lid handle) and hook it in the other can handle. Coons haven't been able to get into it.

I've also successfully used the small animal traps (in reference to the Harbor Freight post, over on Tool Talk, they, Harbor Freight, sell one of these traps for ~$30 (I think it was)).

Good luck...

Steve

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Ramrod

05-26-2005 06:14:10




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
I had the same problem, small town, no shooting in city limits, big coons raiding the back porch in the middle of the night. They got me outta bed once too many times, then I started coming to the back porch with a bright flashlight and a laser sighted 9mm Glock. They went to the light, no more problems with coons, and nobody complained.



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souNdguy

05-26-2005 06:02:11




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to John IL, 05-26-2005 05:48:45  
I hate raccoons. They cleaned up my hen houses and turkey pens a few years ago.

I also store fed in tubs. I started using bunji cords .. 2 to a lid.. make a + pattern.. bunji the sides down. Also.. I set my feed tubs into a cradle made from a cut in half 55 gallon drum. The 55 g drum is more or less cemented in place via a carriage bolt that goes thru the drum bottom, sunk into a small hole i dug under the drum, and filled with concrete. Now with the feed tub set in the 'holder'.. a coon can't tip it over.. and holder won't move without being pried out of the ground with a big rod or shovel, as there is a 20-30 pound chunk of concrete attached under it. yet when the feed bucket is empty.. or near empty.. i can lift it right out. Now, on the bunji.. I drilled holes inthe metal tub.. the bunji simply hook to the metal tub... side to side... coon can't figure it out.

You can get metal drums usually from food places that sell molasses, and some oil companies.. maybee even big truck or shop yards that order oil in drums. Might be free.. might be 5$.. 1 drum will make 2 holder, along with 2 6" carriage bolts and 2 washers, and a bag of sakcrete.

Also.. your local feed store should sell a "small animal trap'.. has 2 spring loaded sides.. if it likes dog feed.. set a pile in there.. perhaps set a couple pieces in the entranceway to it.. Catch that monster.. then dispose of it however you can.

Personally. I hate messing with coons.. I'm glad i can shoot them where i live..

Be safe... don't touch it.. wear gloves.. etc..

Soundguy

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ericlb

05-26-2005 06:13:39




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 Re: OT: Racoon Invader in reply to souNdguy, 05-26-2005 06:02:11  
sounder's got a good idea, i live in a mountanious area, and have a pickup load of coons, almost every nite, they are as resorceful as coyotes or even more so, about getting free chow, i use 55 gallon drums too, mine have removable tops which makes it nice, i wish you all were closer, im fixing to take 33 of them to the dump, there from my seal coat operation and ive got too many around, for a coon story, i once had a momma climb a 2 story cabin, remove the meatle atic vent and have her liter in there, the bunny huggers said i couldnt remove them until the kits were old enough to travel on their own, dammage was 2500. to the attic, eric lb

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