If you needed to take out a raccoon . . .

[TimTeseniar]

As many have mentioned a headshot is the most lethal, I had to dispatch a raccoon on my property that was in my horses pasture couldnt use a rimfire rifle so I grabbed the next best thing. Which was my Crosman .177 Nitro Piston, he was about 20ft up a tree and I was about 5-8 yards away from the base if said tree to get a better angle for my trajectory one shot to the back of the head done him in. 

 

[guod123]

Another reason to eliminate them is Leptospirosis. There were several pets on the block that contracted the disease, I was fortunate as my chihuahua was the only one to survive it.. I had a live and let live attitude up till then. A 20 ft.lb 22 cal is more than adequate for sub 20 yard shots, with the best results shooting at the base of the skull getting spine - brain. They're breeding machines, it's not uncommon to see a mother with here full brood openly walking the streets during daylight hours in my neighborhood.