Killing raccoons (NC)

[shovelmike]

I have a soft spot for animals, but like the rest of you I work hard for my things and won't stand for having it destroyed.
Racoons are a major carrier of rabies here in Missouri too. Be wise in how you go about things.

 

[k0ua]

here are a couple more nasties that racoons are noted for:

Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris infection)
Baylisascaris, an intestinal raccoon roundworm, can infect humans and a variety of other animals . Raccoons establish community latrines — sites where they repeatedly deposit fresh feces that are very likely to contain the roundworm eggs. Once deposited in the environment, the eggs develop into the infectious form in 2-4 weeks and can survive in the soil for several years. If these infectious eggs are accidentally swallowed by humans, the larvae (immature stage of worms) hatch out of the eggs and may move into organs of the body causing serious disease. Symptoms of infection in people depend on how many eggs are ingested and where in the body the larvae migrate (travel to), such as the liver, brain, eye, or spinal cord. Symptoms may include tiredness, lack of coordination, loss of muscle control, blindness, and coma. Symptoms of infection usually take about a week to develop. If a person is suspected of having swallowed soil or other substances contaminated by raccoon feces, consult a health care provider immediately. Be sure to report the concern about recent exposure to raccoon feces to the health care provider. Early treatment can prevent infection and serious illness. Young children who play outside and developmentally disabled persons are at highest risk.


Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria that are carried in the urine of rats, raccoons, and some other wild and domestic animals. Leptospirosis can occur in both people and a wide range of animals, including dogs. People and animals can get infected when water or soil contaminated with urine of infected animals gets on their skin, or in the nose, mouth, throat or eyes, or is swallowed. Dogs are at higher risk of infection because they often drink or lick water on the ground that can be contaminated; infected dogs can become severely ill or even die. Some people infected with leptospirosis will have no symptoms at all, and some people will become severely ill. Leptospirosis may cause influenza-like symptoms, severe head and muscle aches, high fever, and in some cases serious liver and kidney problems.

 

[TnAndy]

I'm pretty much a life and let live kinda guy until what I let live kills my chickens, or begins to eat me out of house and home. Some years back, we had old dogs and they liked to sleep thru the night rather than run stuff off....so we had a population problem of raccoons/etc.

If you can control the set location, I like Conibear traps for them, in a bucket set.

One night's action here some year back

The pair of young dogs I have now keeps them run off, we had little to no problem since they got big enough to chase stuff.

 

[fried1765]

Disturbs me when there is a mindset amoung humans to do away with anything that is a pest.

Raccoons have made a terrible mess of my barn, yet I still try and be kind to them.

Does that go for rattlesnakes too?
I know YOU probably don't have them, but others do.

 

[rekees4300]

Disturbs me when there is a mindset amoung humans to do away with anything that is a pest.

Raccoons have made a terrible mess of my barn, yet I still try and be kind to them.

I respect your no-kill mindset but when raccoons claim your house as theirs you gotta draw-the-line. Last year they invaded my deck and chewed the wheels off the grill! That was over the line so three of them paid the ultimate price.

 

[k0ua]

12 gauge, with #4, 5,or 6 shot. Start looking about dusk, Flashlight equipped would be good. Pump at a minimum but semi-auto better if you encounter a wad of them at one time. Best to get them all on the first go and not let any escape. I don't like traps, especially kill type traps as you run a risk on so many other animals including pets. 12 gauge is pretty sure, without bouncing a lot of lead around the neighborhood, and and especially good solution for something you will be shooting at dusk or night. Some of the big ones can go almost 40 lbs so be prepared.

 

[ovrszd]

There's a very easy way to kill raccoons. PM me and we can talk about it if you like.

 

[oldballs]

When I was a kid, we used to attach coon tails to the handlebars of our bicycles. Maybe I can attach them to the handlebars of my front tine tiller......you think?
Cheers,
Mike

 

[ovrszd]

I had two different raccoon pets as a kid. First one I got didn't have it's eyes open. It was an awesome pet. Would ride around on my shoulder. Eat out of my hand. Sortta like a pet dog. Second one had it's eyes open when I got it. Never completely domesticated. Both left when Fall came. Mother Nature calling.....

We had several hunting hounds. They accepted the raccoon. When feeding the hounds the raccoon was always there. I'd give him a bowl of water and some dry dog food. When the hounds would come to take his food he'd put it in the bowl of water. Then "fish" it out and eat it. The dogs never could figure that out.....

Saw him get a one pound Bass out of a 5 gallon bucket of water once. Wish I had a picture of that!!!!

 

[Jstpssng]

When I was in first grade, for "Show and Tell" one day a classmate's older brother brought his pet raccoon in and walked it around the classroom on a leash. Can you imagine somebody doing that now?

The funniest thing is that I barely knew them, and haven't seen her since HS. Yet I still can remember both of their names... and I"m terrible at remembering names and faces.