Raccoon problem

[SmokyMose]

When taking a bag of peelings to the compost bin today I found this.

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• SmokyMose
• Mar 12, 2017

I have no idea how it got in there. The bottom doors are closed tight and I keep a concrete block on top just to keep raccoons out [emoji]128528[/emoji]
When I opened the door it just looked at me. When I told it to get out of my composter it just kept looking at me. I left the door open and went back an hour later and it was just curled up sleeping. I banged on the side of the box but no luck.
Any ideas? We called animal control, but of course it's Sunday. I could pop it with a 22, but I'm inside city limits and then what would I do with the carcass? I also don't like the idea of blood in my compost..
I'm not that concerned, but of course the Mrs is worried that it might attack one of her little dogs.

:dunno

 

[crankybuzzard]

Water hose

 

[geezer]

Whack em with a stick! 

 

[mneeley490]

Maybe it's just unimpressed with your orders.

We once had a pregnant one that for some reason, liked to snooze on our back deck, no matter how much we tried to shoo it away. 

I think it will eventually move on, unless it's sick or dying.

 

[johnmeyer]

I like the water idea, but you might not want to get your compost wet. My weapon of choice would be a leaf blower.

Coons are nasty critters. I used to have to chase them away from the cat food in the garage, and they were fearless.

I've photographed all sorts of critters visiting my BBQ/Smoker area, like this one that I caught with my trail camera:

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• johnmeyer
• Mar 12, 2017

 

[SmokyMose]

I tried the water hose. Not too worried about getting the compost wet. I have plenty of dry stuff to stir in. The water didn't even make it stir. I finally poked it with a stick til it raised it's head. It just looked at me. I think it's just looking for a place to die and now I feel like a real heel for making it even more miserable, though I'm no fan of raccoons. I closed up the box and will check back tomorrow to deal with it....

 

[crankybuzzard]

I tried the water hose. Not too worried about getting the compost wet. I have plenty of dry stuff to stir in. The water didn't even make it stir. I finally poked it with a stick til it raised it's head. It just looked at me. I think it's just looking for a place to die and now I feel like a real heel for making it even more miserable, though I'm no fan of raccoons. I closed up the box and will check back tomorrow to deal with it....

I too hate to hear it may be dying, but keep in mind that they are carriers of rabies, so handle/dispose with caution.

 

[geezer]

I too hate to hear it may be dying, but keep in mind that they are carriers of rabies, so handle/dispose with caution.

Damn good point. I once ran into a rabid raccoon in the woods and that crazed thing was scary as hell. Since I don't hike or scout without at least a .22 pistol. 

 

[SmokyMose]

I too hate to hear it may be dying, but keep in mind that they are carriers of rabies, so handle/dispose with caution.

Damn good point. I once ran into a rabid raccoon in the woods and that crazed thing was scary as hell. Since I don't hike or scout without at least a .22 pistol. 

I have considered that as well. We have two little dogs that share that yard and there are two years of compost. Hopefully "Animal Control" answers their "voice mail".

 

[myownidaho]

I'm thinking your compost bin is his final resting place. Water and a stick would normally have him run off or turn your face into hamburger. RIP little fella.

 

[Texas Jim]

I've been coon huntin' for a long time. Any coon that acts like that is highly suspect of being rabid.

 

[mr t 59874]

If it’s been in there long it is most likely severely dehydrated. Lift it out with a shovel and let nature take it’s coarse. 

T

 

[SmokyMose]

I'm thinking your compost bin is his final resting place. Water and a stick would normally have him run off or turn your face into hamburger. RIP little fella.

Yes, I fully expect him to be stone cold tomorrow.
I also wasn't ready to get my face "hamburgered" . I may be a city dweller these last 30 years, but I grew up southern Indiana country boy, so I wasn't tickling it's chin koochy coo...

 

[myownidaho]

Yes, I fully expect him to be stone cold tomorrow.
I also wasn't ready to get my face "hamburgered" . I may be a city dweller these last 30 years, but I grew up southern Indiana country boy, so I wasn't tickling it's chin koochy coo...

I was going to suggest a little kiss on the cheek but that would have been just wrong.

 

[SmokyMose]

I've been coon huntin' for a long time. Any coon that acts like that is highly suspect of being rabid.

That's why I want to wait for Animal Control to get rid of it. I live in a highly populated area and if rabies is there, it needs to be known.

 

[cmayna]

Poor little guy.  Looks like he just wants to  pass on.

 

[SmokyMose]

Poor little guy.  Looks like he just wants to  pass on.

That's what I thought, especially after I soaked it down. It must not have been that far gone because it was gone when I checked this morning before leaving for work. I just can't get over how it just looked at me, even after the soaking, like "What did I do to you to deserve this? "
Oh well, it's gone and I added some more weight to the top until I can devise some better doors. Now I have a Guard Deer!

 

[SmokyMose]

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• SmokyMose
• Mar 13, 2017

 

[dirtsailor2003]

For in town varmits we use air rifles. The new ones not the old school ones. Coons aren't much of a problem here but rock chucks are.

 

[mr t 59874]

For in town varmits we use air rifles. The new ones not the old school ones. Coons aren't much of a problem here but rock chucks are.

There is an old Montana proverb. "Shoot, Shovel, and Shutup."

T