Killing raccoons (NC)

[CMV]

Any issue shooting these things on private property in NC?

I'm typically a live & let live sort, but now that the coyotes have been dealt with, these things are going nuts. I'm seeing up to 8 a time on game camera & they're becoming destructive. Destroyed 3/4 of my pumpkins last year. Don't really care if they eat some, but they're a-holes about it, going down rows clawing & gnashing, not even eating a whole one before moving on damaging another. Same for squash.

But besides just vegetables, I guess they've decided whatever is left in burn barrel ash must have some good eating. But again, they have to be a-holes about it. Can't just climb into the top of a 55 gal drum burn barrel, they have to gnaw the vent holes open enough to just pull everything out from the bottom. Keep wrecking steel barrels that way, not to mention the mess. Shredded part of a nylon popup blind (for no real reason - could just go inside if they wanted). Don't want to wait & see what they'll do to the tractor, SxS, 4 wheeler, etc if left out.

I really dislike the idea of killing a critter just to kill it (other than coyotes, ground moles, mice, venomous snakes) but these guys are just getting worse and increasing in population.

I suppose I could trap them & let them loose a few miles away? No idea, but would think after they notice their friends in raccoon jail a few times the remainder would probably avoid the trap? No idea if they're that smart. Also no idea how pissed they'd be when time to let them go in new home....

 

[Ford850]

Look up your state's laws. Some states allow nuisance control on your property. Some specify it is illegal to catch and release, so they have to be euthanized after catching them if trapped.

 

[two_bit_score]

Here is the rule in Texas. Check with your states Wildlife Department.

>>>>>Nuisance Fur-bearing Animals

Landowners or their agents may take nuisance fur-bearing animals in any number by any means at any time on that person's land without the need for a hunting or trapping license. However, fur-bearing animals or their pelts taken for these purposes may not be retained or possessed by anyone at any time except licensed trappers during the lawful open season and possession periods.

Nuisance fur-bearing animals may be captured and relocated if the person has received authorization from the department and the owner of the property where the release will occur. A monthly report is required and must be submitted to the department on number and kind of fur-bearers captured, location of release site, name and address of person authorized to release. <<<<<<<

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I kill everyone I can, for the same reasons, they are out of control and very destructive!

There's some do gooders not far from me that feed them, so then they also get into every ones gardens!

I feed them too....lead!

SR

 

[MossRoad]

Don't trap and release elsewhere. All that does is make an overpopulation of raccoons somewhere else, might cause a problem for someone else, and may be illegal in your state.

Find out if it's legal to kill nuisance raccoons in your area, or if it's gonna be something like trapping/hunting and need license, bag limits, etc... most places have exceptions for nuisance animals.

If it was me, I'd live trap them, then dispatch them with a gun. Live trap has the advantage that you can let a pet go unharmed if it gets in there. Don't be a **** and drop the trap in a barrel of water either. That's exceptionally cruel VS just shooting it and getting it over with.

On a cautionary note, raccoon are one of the more common carriers of rabies, especially in the east part of the country. So just assume it has it. Don't handle the blood or bodily fluids with bare hands. That's another reason I wouldn't trap and release elsewhere. You could be exposed to rabies or spread it to another area.

Anywho, they are amazingly smart critters. Hate to see them go, but man, can they do the damage. Good luck. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

And I truly believe that there may be just as many raccoons out there as there are squirrels. I see more dead raccoons and possums on the roads than squirrels around here...

Some disturbing, yet interesting videos...

 

[MossRoad]

Then there's this goomer.... having fun, but man...

 

[rekees4300]

Any issue shooting these things on private property in NC?

Don't know about NC but in Indiana wildlife on your land is considered private property. Do with it as you choose. Trapping/transporting isn't a good idea because it would be like you transporting/dumping your trash on other people's land...not cool. I trap them in a live-trap (baited with dry dog food), take them to our pasture, then with a .22 the live-trap becomes a dead-trap. Actually the most effective way to deter raccoons is to own a large outside dog. Labs are a good bet.

 

[Industrial Toys]

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.

 

[CMV]

Remote property so no dog or any critters I own there. Some foxes, but they seem to live in peace with raccoons. I guess the coyotes did a good job keeping there population down - or at least off my land. Rarely caught more than 1-2 on camera before. But the coyotes also kept turkey & deer away as well & I want those

BTW, a neighbor got the coyotes. Not for my lack of trying, they were just smarter than i am