Raccoons

[Bander124]

I hadn’t had any for so long now I had debated parting ways with my .30. Glad I hadn’t because I’m 4 ducks short. I got one a week ago one before that broke my live trap and one last night was caught mid jaunt to my coup. Didn’t have the gun with me. So now I’m waiting tonight for one to come back. They have been steady on showing up according to my trail cam. Good thing I kept my .30 after all.

 

[Struckat]

I had one growling at me and the dogs this morning. It was on the other side of the fence and not happy to see us. No shooting, that would bring helicopters.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I had one growling at me and the dogs this morning. It was on the other side of the fence and not happy to see us. No shooting, that would bring helicopters.

@Struckat Why not let the dog have a go at him? Is it in him?

 

[Struckat]

Bunny Buster Buck is a big baby. But he is pretty.

He got a bunny yesterday, 2nd this year, and I had to finish it with a shovel. I tossed it over the fence like a good neighbor would do. I am sure coon had it in the culvert on the other side of the fence.

The other two help chase bunnies but can’t even kill a chipper.

Same coon I saw a week ago, has no fear.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Bunny Buster Buck is a big baby. But he is pretty.

He got a bunny yesterday, 2nd this year, and I had to finish it with a shovel. I tossed it over the fence like a good neighbor would do. I am sure coon had it in the culvert on the other side of the fence.

The other two help chase bunnies but can’t even kill a chipper.

Same coon I saw a week ago, has no fear.

@Struckat I figured that he may be able to put it up a tree so you can shoot it. If the coon has no fear, then it's a fight waiting to happen. The dog has to be game or it likely won't fare well at all. I hope you get it out of there.

 

[Bander124]

Growing up I’ve seen lots of my dogs get messed up because of coons. They are of the street fighting mentality it’s always in their advantage. I have them pull my dogs in dens or try and drown them. I guess I could let my Great Danes have a go at it but I’d rather not mess with the dogs getting cut up. I’ll just bait and wait. They seem to think the ducks and chickens are the bait. Man I’m getting more and more willing to buy a thermal…

 

[Struckat]

Buck is best at babysitting.

Put boy on floor, put dog on boy, forget about them until one has to pee.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Growing up I’ve seen lots of my dogs get messed up because of coons. They are of the street fighting mentality it’s always in their advantage. I have them pull my dogs in dens or try and drown them. I guess I could let my Great Danes have a go at it but I’d rather not mess with the dogs getting cut up. I’ll just bait and wait. They seem to think the ducks and chickens are the bait. Man I’m getting more and more willing to buy a thermal…

@Bander124 I hear ya. I grew up hunting coons with dogs, so I'm very familiar with all of the above. If I have a game dog hound or good sized terrier mix then I let them do what they want. Dogs here mostly roam so if they have gall, they will fight anything out here. I'd encourage you to buy a thermal scanner. Just don't be too disappointed if they don't typically come while you're out waiting for them.

 

[Struckat]

Buck came to us beaten and starving. He lives the good life now.
He is so good, never misbehaves.

Prior to these three I had a pair of cattle dogs. They killed many skunks. Never got coon, but I wouldn’t have worried about them.

 

[Bander124]

@Bander124 I hear ya. I grew up hunting coons with dogs, so I'm very familiar with all of the above. If I have a game dog hound or good sized terrier mix then I let them do what they want. Dogs here mostly roam so if they have gall, they will fight anything out here. I'd encourage you to buy a thermal scanner. Just don't be too disappointed if they don't typically come while you're out waiting for them.

Out waiting consists of glassing out my open window. The coup is about 40 yds out and the brush line is 60yds. I mostly listen to the goats (yard dogs) snort or stomp. It doesn’t scare anything away but lets the world know they’re not happy. Next weekend I’ll do what I youst to do and tie a chicken leg to a bell. Land fishing. Oh my plan is a scanner once I recoup from the vacation. It would sure help in finding the ducks when they decide they’re not going to go to bed.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Out waiting consists of glassing out my open window. The coup is about 40 yds out and the brush line is 60yds. I mostly listen to the goats (yard dogs) snort or stomp. It doesn’t scare anything away but lets the world know they’re not happy. Next weekend I’ll do what I youst to do and tie a chicken leg to a bell. Land fishing. Oh my plan is a scanner once I recoup from the vacation. It would sure help in finding the ducks when they decide they’re not going to go to bed.

@Bander124 That doesn't sound too bad. I've brought a scanner out to find a wayward pullet in training, so I get it. I like the bell idea. Have you thought of trying a Harbor Freight ding-donger? I haven't tried it yet but have read about other members that have.

 

[JimD]

My dog (under 40 lbs from the pound) saw a small raccoon in my neighbors yard last night. I've killed two similar ones so far in the last couple years in my yard. They didn't have food to protect but would have run if possible. I saw the first one when it was still very light out and was worried it had rabies. So I put a couple 22 caliber pellets in it, second was between the eyes, and my dog got a chance to shake it. She barked and nipped at it but didn't get into a fight with it. The second one got onto the pontoon and dock and kind of had the dog and I cornered. One 25 caliber pellet between the eyes stopped the nonsense. The latest one was just running through the neighbors yard and then across ours between our fence and the lake. I think they look for dead fish that occasionally wash up when fisherman throw back fish they've hooked deep. I let my dog out but the raccoon was gone by then. I don't want her to get hurt but she seems to have brains enough to not try to kill one unless I've already shot it. She's killed a rabbit, however, and keeps trying to kill squirrels but hasn't had any luck. She could probably kill a 10 lb raccoon like we've taken but if it was a mommy or daddy close to her size she'd be in trouble.