Getting soft!

[grt56]

:0  

Folks.

I have a coon that has lived unde my deck for several years. He winters there( I have heard him in the dead of winter growling at something ....probably another coon or possum) late in the night/a.m. I have friends that have had ther boats totaled by coons in the winter so I know what they can do to a attic or boat etc.

I have decided to set uo a blind in my screened porch that is attached to the deck and have set up a feeding station taht has drawn in the squirrels,birds and of course the coon. I have set up from 10pm until sometimes 5am observing him and learning how damn smart and cautous they are ....they have incredibale hearing and night site and I have spooked him sometimes with nthe slightest movement( only 15' away from him) during this time I have put my laser site on his head only to find that a red laser will reflect off his hair and show me multiple targets...so I have not shot! I decided to buy a cheap scope and have zeored in on my targets set up around the deck......no problem for a kill shot,but now I kinda feel sorry for him and have enjoyed watcing him eat and forage around.Don't get me wrong I will kill a chipmunk in a second because a couple have got into my house and screwed my front porch foundation up(cost me $750 to fix) and will shot a crow,blackbird and any ugly possum that may show up.

I know not to touch their crap because of parasites that alone should make me pull the trigger......Just share your thoughts with me on this.

Thanks,

Gary
NO BRAG JUST FACT

[shadow]

Well some of the hunters here know that I'm a avid Bandit hunter and do pest control for the residents around me. It sounds like you and this Bandit have a agreement of sort's you don't bug me and I won't bug you hehe. Here are some questions to ask yourself is the Raccoon doing any damage to your house and or property?. Are there any pet's and more important children that may be harmed by the Raccoon?. Raccoons do carry some nasty stuff but if you feel that the Raccoon isn't doing any harm to property or family and go's about his business without harm let and let live. As you mentioned he's lived there for several years with no mention of damage and your lucky it isn't a female with a litter of young ones. :0 Yes I have taken my share of Raccoon's but it was in direct response from home and property owner's who were in a losing battle. It's always better to work with Ma Nature but when her critters start to ravage property or endanger the ones around you then  you have to take to arm's. Ed

[Bogey]

Just because he is there doesn't mean you have/need to shoot him.   You enjoy watching the coon....so keep watching.   Maybe the only warning would be if you ever suspect that he has come down with rabies.   Then your best bet would be to contact Animal Control and have them remove the animal for your safety and  safety of others.

I consider myself a hunter but I am not blood thirsty or cruel.

[Mebits]

Gary,

They're a natural part of the world in your area. Neither intrinsically bad, nor good.

If you're getting more pleasure from letting him be, let him be. If the risk of damage is relatively small, what's the harm?

We have no obligation to be bloodthirsty. Such serves a purpose, but it isn't a good in and of itself.

Life is valuable. When the shooting feels wanton or wrong, it probably is.

That's my read.

Now, bear in mind, I'm a fiend when it comes to starlings. I know they're smart. I know they're tough. I find them fascinating. I also want every last one of them on the continent dead. I have an awful lot of fun killing them, too, but I really want them dead and gone. Something inside me just finds it wrong that these invasives are displacing indigenous species. I would feel no similar feeling toward native 'coons.

M

[airiscool]

Agree with the others. If it needs killing, so be it. But if it doesn't, enjoy the critter watching.  I know I do.

I was just out in my shed blind with the binos watching the Squirrels and Doves picking around for seeds out back. Fun to see the differences the change of weather and seasons brings out in them.  Cold weather and snow due tomorrow and they're all stocking up. Interesting how they can tell.

And, I was also watching for Red Squrrels. Last week I found another point where a Red has been chewing a hole into my barn. That behaviour has earned any and every Red  a "shoot on site" rating.

Paul.

[atchman2]

I'm with you grt.  I have some animals that I don't shoot just because I like watching them.  The neighbor's squirrel is one of them.  It lives in a big oak in their yard and I feed him a lot.  If it  ever crosses the line though and chews on the house he is chili meat!  

I'll bet my winter long benevolence feeding the critters will result in a bumper crop of new ones to shoot at in the fall!

[Ray]

Yeah, I have a skunk thats been coming in my back yard for years now. He wakes me up at night with his smell and digs holes in the back yard.I dont know why I havent pluged him yet? This year the Trail XL might do some barking.

Ray

[shadow]

Sounds like Peppy Le Stink is looking for grub's in the yard. :0 Ed

[Ray]

Yeah I thought it was alot of bad golfers playing in mt yard at night. lol

Ray

[ShadowShot]

Golfers with gas.

[Ray]

Yeah big time gas, lol

[grt56]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I have been on this forum going on 5 monthds now and have really enjoyed the posts that you guys have put in and I have learned alot!

The coon is safe as long as he stays a good tenant, hehe.I got to thinking that there has been no damage and I had the house checked out a couple years ago by the local critter control company after the chipmunks got in. They tighted up some entry points in vent areas near the ground and I keep a close eye on my roof and vents up there. So my buddy stays.

I still love shooting mt air rifle and hope to make some more purchases this summer, the .25 trail,the Mrod and a BSA Lonstar come to mind constantly. if you know how I could get in contact with some Indiana gunners I would love to meet up and learn more and maybe find a place to shoot rats and other vermin.

Again thanks for your thoughts,

Gary

[gamo2hammerli]

If the coon and you have a mutual understanding....cool.  But once it starts to chew up your place and/or using your lawn as a toilet.....well, you gotta do what you gotta do!!!!

[TheKnot]

JMO only a fool lets a raccoon nest under his home it only invites problems but thats another mans call . Once they start breeding it's all over a friend of mine had a similar situation and after a few years he had over 30 of them around his house everynight . Good luck with your buddy