happy hunting!!!

Your fruit and veggie buffet is officially a success.

I've trapped 4 coons so far the year. I start early now before they raise young. Less to trap that way.

What do you guys do with the ones you trap? And if you kill them, what do you do with the remains? If you live in the city, do your neighbors see/care?

I have neighbors right next door, and I fear they would be scared/mad/call animal patrol - or are you allowed to kill squirrels, coons and rabbits? - if they saw me trapping and drowning squirrels and rabbits, and no chance in H I could pull a gun out shoot the damned things. So jealous of you guys being able to kill these vile beasts...

I shoot them and then into the dumpster. But only a day or two before weekly pickup. Otherwise they stink too much. Once I triple bagged and thought that won't stink. Think again!!!!

Around here a single shot goes unnoticed or at least ignored. During the day draws less attention than at night.

I live trap and then then drown the coons. We live on a lake so it is easy to lower the trap along side the dock. I haven't checked out the measurements, but a live trap may fit in a 100 quart cooler of water. Another option would be to get a 55 gallon plastic drum to collect rain water for you fruit. Also has a duel use with the coons. If you set your trap, with marshmallows for bait, the day before garbage day, it will work. Check your trap in the early AM before the neighbors are watching.

All of my neighbors know that I trap the varmints and although I use an air rifle, because it is unlawful to discharge a real firearm in the city, I try to not let anyone see me shoot the gun. I keep a large trash can filled with water and the ones that I trap are drowned in it. It's ironic that a neighbor 2 doors down actually feeds the rabbits and the neighbor across the street feeds the squirrels, but they have not said a word to me about it, and we're all on speaking terms.
Yesterday I ordered my 5th trap, larger than the ones I currently have, because I've got a feeling that the coon that stole my melon is a big sucker. I trapped one last year that weighed 36 lbs., and I'm still trying to figure out, how he got in that trap,
I just trapped squirrel # 27 this morning.

This post was edited by rayrose on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 8:34

Neighbor next door was legally target shooting with air rifle when cops showed up. Someone had called. No way I can get away with it.

I have a critter that climbs into my water fountain on the deck and craps in my fountain. It is human-like! I caught some opposums...but now I am thinking it is a raccoon. The pooping has continued. I am having a rough time catching him (marshmallows and dog food bait). He only visits once a week because he is so happy with neighbors pond (I think). The mystery continues....

I bury them between my trees.

My trap is too big to fit in a 55 gal drum that I use for rainwater collection. I'd do that if possible. A 22 with hollow points works on coon but there are dangers, like a bullet bouncing back into your eye. And you need a good backstop. A 22 40 grain without the hollow point is too dangerous, penetrates too far. The 22 subsonic rounds aren't powerful enough with my shooting skills. It must take several shots with a pellet gun, at least at times.

Since fur prices have been so low for so many years, 'coon numbers are far out of control. Other than man, they have few if any predators. My farm is extremely rural, so it's unusual NOT to hear gunshots. My neighbors and I have eradicated just under 200 in the last year. One neighbor got over 60 last year himself. I usually remove at least 30 a year, which I've discovered is about average for every homestead in our area. They are destroying barns, equipment, feed, houses, acres of field crops, and every garden or fruit tree. I've caught or shot many w/severe disease as well. I shot 3 last year staggering in circles in the middle of the day. We also counted 23 hit on the road once on the trip to our farm. Personally, I find this a terrible waste of a perfectly good, renewable resource. Instead of dying of disease or splattered on the road, they could be put to a practical use. On the other hand, common sense and logic seem really endangered these days.

Since fur prices have been so low for so many years, 'coon numbers are far out of control. Other than man, they have few if any predators. My farm is extremely rural, so it's unusual NOT to hear gunshots. My neighbors and I have eradicated just under 200 in the last year. One neighbor got over 60 last year himself. I usually remove at least 30 a year, which I've discovered is about average for every homestead in our area. They are destroying barns, equipment, feed, houses, acres of field crops, and every garden or fruit tree. I've caught or shot many w/severe disease as well. I shot 3 last year staggering in circles in the middle of the day. We also counted 23 hit on the road once on the trip to our farm. Personally, I find this a terrible waste of a perfectly good, renewable resource. Instead of dying of disease or splattered on the road, they could be put to a practical use. On the other hand, common sense and logic seem really endangered these days.

I wish I could use a 22, or better yet a shotgun. You have to be one heck of a marksman, in order to hit a squirrel with a pellet rifle, even with a scope. My hand is not that steady. I know I've hit the same rabbit twice, and he just ran away. I envy you guys that can shoot a real gun and get away with it. Yes, common sense and logic really are THE endangered species.