Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Rick,

I had a whole family of them pestering us for a week while on vaca last 
summer...  seems they like lobster and shrimp... ;^)  pretty expensive 
bait, but they were coming in for the shells and scraps we had thrown 
away...  Guaranteed to work, and you and the wife will have the fringe 
benefit of a decent meal first... ;^)

Good luck, Fra

    There's alot about "Have a heart" traps in the gardening notes, PICA::
    garden.  Look under dir/title=woodchuck.
    
    bob
    

                    <<< Note 1249.0 by AIMHI::PAPPALARDO >>>
                         -< Trapping Racoons Question >-

    
    I have two racoons living between my field-stone foundation and can
    hear them at night sometimes growling.
    
    Due to many cases of rabies these days I want to get them out of there
    however, I have a cat running around and kids and don't want to
    set steel traps so I'm going to set a have-a-heart trap which leads me
    to this question.
    
    
    Anyone know what the best bait to use on raccons would be?
    
    Has anyone used a have-a-heart and how do they work?
    
    Any other advise is welcomed.
    
    Thanks in advance!
    
    Rick
    


	Rick,

		Open a can of cheap Tuna Fish. This will lure them in. But,
	you may also pick up a cat or two also.

	Good luck, 

	Red

    
    I heard a sweet bait like honey will work, and most often avoids the
    catch of a house cat.
    
    

    
    Tuna sounds good think I'll try it. I'll be picking up the trap
    friday.  I'll let you folks know how I make out.
    
    
    Thanks!
    
    Rick
    

                  

                    is 30-06 too much for racoons... ;^)

I've used the hav-a-hart traps before, my grandfather was having problems 
with squirrels in his attic, and they worked like a charm...  just be 
careful transporting them and releasing them...  could get pretty ugly 
if your not careful.

How bout that 8mm rem mag???  that should do the trick... ;^) 

Fra

    
    Bait? sardines, Elvis food (ie jelly donuts), chicken parts.
    Careful you don't get a skunk in the trap or we'll be calling you
    Stinky!
    
    
    Walt

    
    The 22 would work....the 8mm mag would make a coonskin cap but,
    I'd have to see their condition. I hate to kill something for nothing
    if you know what I mean.
    
    I would like to catch them alive and relocate them.....then again I
    don't want to relocate if they're in the early stages or carry the
    rabie sickness which could result in problems  with the area I plan to 
    release them. I know it's probably illegal to re-locate and how do I 
    really know they are not somewhat infected with rabies. I'm sure if
    they are rabid I can tell but I'm no expert and don't want to infect
    an area either.
    
    Maybe once they're caught I should call the warden????? I don't know,
    I'll have to see.
    
    I want to remove them and relocate but, I don't want to potentialy
    infect an area either. It's a tough call when you must make a life or
    death decision. Now if I was like them slob-hunters with no respect
    for life it would be easy.....Thank-God I'm not...we'll have to see
    their condition.
    
    
    Rick
    

    
    Rick,
    
    It might not be a bad idea to call a warden before you try to catch
    them for a couple reasons. 1, technically you're trapping out of
    season. I know you're planning on  relocating them but a warden
    doesn't. 2, if they're infected the warden may know the signs to look
    for, 3, he will know what to do with them if they are infected. 4, he
    may even help you catch/relocate them, heck he may have some extra
    traps and idea's. besides they dont have much to do this time of year
    and this kind of stuff makes eem feel wanted 8')
    
    Walt

    Only Red would think of something that smells like tuna!    I would
    offer some of my wife's cooking, but you want to catch them and not
    make them run into another county.
    
    I to would call the warden prior to setting out traps.
    
    bob
    

    
    	Had a racoon problem some years back.  It would raid my sweet
    	corn about 1 or 2 days before I was ready to pick it myself.
    	Of course, it would eat it on the stalk, peeling back the husk,
    	leaving quite a mess. Called the local warden who advised me to
    	get the large/strong Hav-A-Hart and transport at least 25 miles.
    	When I asked him what to use for bait he said the absolute best
    	is sweet corn.  I rented a trap from the local co-op. Purchased
    	some sweet corn.  Set the trap. Had an incredibly large angry 
    	racoon in the morning. Used a blanket to cover for relocation drive
    	of 25 miles.  Racoon never came back.  
    
    	Good luck.

 They seem to be quite fond of chicken carcasses. Just about every time
we have a roast chicken they find their way into my barrels...

    Another contact would be the local Animal Control Officer.  They might
    want to look the critter over before sending it off to a remote locale.

    
    the local animal control officer may also have loaner traps.  I
    would ask them before going out and buying one.
    
    Hmm, Mark has the right idea, put the chicken in the barrels.  Shotgun
    of course.  8�)

    Rick...
    
    I had a racoon problem 2 years ago. They were constantly getting into
    my barrels. No matter what I did to the barrels, they got them open.
    I thought the hav-a-hart method would solve it. I too, kept seeing the
    same two racoons in the trash.
    
    Well, I bought a hav-a-hart trap... FOURTEEN (14) Racoons, TWO (2) 
    opossums, and ONE (1) SKUNK later (all within a two month period,
    I gave up trapping/relocating the racoons. I stopped after I got the
    skunk. Doesn't matter WHAT you use for bait.. ANY kind of meat will do
    the trick. I found out later that it is illegal to transport wild
    animals... so calling ANYONE probably will not help. Releasing the
    skunk was tricky.. I put a nylon cover over the trap.. gently walking
    up to it.. I then let it sit for awhile.. With gloves on, I then gently
    opened the trap door. Ever try to gently open a hav-a-hart? It's easier
    said then done.. Anyway, the skunk didn't go charging out, as I hoped
    it wouldn't, and it didn't spray my hands.. 
    
    I think I still would be catching a racoon a night now if I hadn't
    given up!
    
    	Smitty
    

    
    re.0
    
    So what did you end up doing about the problem with the raccoons?
    
    Walt