Killing raccoons (NC)

[dodge man]

I also hate to shoot things but they have gotten out of hand in my area also. The tear everything we plant up.

 

[Jstpssng]

An electric fence can help. Another trap which I haven't seen mentioned is a "Dog proof coon trap"... Amazon.com: Duke DP Coon Trap: Sports & Outdoors.

The best bait for these is supposed to be marshmallows, as they show up well at night. I can't say for sure, as I got hungry and ate the entire bagful.

Like any lifetrap though, they should be checked every day. Especially this time of year, first time in the morning is best as it isn't humane to leave him roasting in the sun all day long.

 

[rswyan]

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.

:thumbsup:

 

[dstig1]

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

Can you describe how to set that up and when to use it? I have done some limited traps for squirrels and chipmunks which caused a lot of damage at one point but I just set the trap out by itself where only the squirrels or chipmunks would get to it. I found that basic rat traps (like jumbo mouse traps) work quite well on the chipmunks. But I did use a connibear 110 over one burrow hole that worked too (with a 5 ga bucket over it)

 

[EarPlug]

Here are the rules for North Carolina - Wildlife Depredation

Wildlife Depredation
Wildlife Depredation refers to wildlife causing property damage. Depredating wildlife may be taken both with and without a permit under certain conditions. How one should dispose of the wildlife taken as a result of depredation depends on the species taken and whether or not a Depredation Permit was issued.

 

[MossRoad]

Little young raccoons can make great pets. So much fun. Male raccoons during and after puberty will end up causing major property damage at the least, and probably end up biting someone before it's all over. First, they're too smart for their own good. They will try and test till they find a solution to get the food. Second, they are strong and know it, and have it in them to fight for their territory/food. I know this from first hand experience, as we adopted a little abandoned male one spring. All friendly and cuddly. Ended up breaking into the house daily to look for food. Once we figured how to keep him out, he started digging through the tar and gravel roof! Did thousands of dollars of damage.

Just don't do it if you have the notion.

 

[MossRoad]

Also, a lot of people don't know that you can very successfully hunt raccoons during daylight hours with an electronic call. Raccoons are so territorial, and so curious, they will not ignore an electronic call of raccoons fighting and will come out to investigate/fight.

There are dozens of videos on this on youtube. Here's a link to just one. See for yourself. It's much easier, safer, and productive to hunt them during the day VS night, dogs, lights, and your buddy Bubba sneaking around in the dark.

Daytime Raccoon Hunting With Game Call - YouTube

 

[two_bit_score]

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?View attachment 657334View attachment 657336
Cheers,
Mike

I’ve had ‘coons tear up a lightweight trap like that.

 

[two_bit_score]

Also, a lot of people don't know that you can very successfully hunt raccoons during daylight hours with an electronic call. Raccoons are so territorial, and so curious, they will not ignore an electronic call of raccoons fighting and will come out to investigate/fight.

There are dozens of videos on this on youtube. Here's a link to just one. See for yourself. It's much easier, safer, and productive to hunt them during the day VS night, dogs, lights, and your buddy Bubba sneaking around in the dark.

Daytime Raccoon Hunting With Game Call - YouTube

That is good to know.

 

[rswyan]

I’ve had ‘coons tear up a lightweight trap like that.

Yeah ... but you’re in Texas ...