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I was out grilling burgers this evening (after dark), and noticed something between the garage and the flower bed (built up about 1' from the garage, so there's an empty space there; apparently a raccoon highway). I took a closer look, and saw a raccoon... It ignored me clapping and telling it to take a hike, so I went in and picked up a Taurus PT145 and flashlight that I keep handy. It kept edging closer (looking for a burger, I'm sure) and ignored everything I did. Including a warning shot. I'm wondering if it was deaf or sick... It finally got to the edge of the pavement about 3' from the grill, and I put the rest of the magazine into it. It ran off, and I went in to get more Airsoft pellets in case it came back...

He was just looking for a little snack.

Hope he isn't rabid.

mojo84 wrote:He was just looking for a little snack.

Hope he isn't rabid.

My thought exactly... It's probably being fed by someone around here. I backed up to the doorway into the house, hit it several times, then saw it had stopped halfway down the garage, and gave it the rest. It ran off, but I'll be keeping an eye out for it. May be time to put the cat, er, humane trap out.

If a racoon weighed 100 pounds it wouldn't be safe for man or beast to go into the woods. Big 'coons have been known to whip several dogs. If a 'coon and a dog get into the water together it's usually bye bye doggie.

MoJo wrote:If a racoon weighed 100 pounds it wouldn't be safe for man or beast to go into the woods. Big 'coons have been known to whip several dogs. If a 'coon and a dog get into the water together it's usually bye bye doggie.

Three things I don't want to tangle with:
- Coons
- Possums
- Skunks

Here's a possum story for you:
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=5hppS8rF1SY[/youtube]

You couldn't have called Turtle Man? I'm sure he would have "Ye ye ye'd right over for some live action!

MoJo wrote:If a racoon weighed 100 pounds it wouldn't be safe for man or beast to go into the woods. Big 'coons have been known to whip several dogs. If a 'coon and a dog get into the water together it's usually bye bye doggie.

Reminds me of the Jerry Clower bit about the raccoon and the monkey... And the.45.

CHLLady wrote:You couldn't have called Turtle Man? I'm sure he would have "Ye ye ye'd right over for some live action!

Isn't he in Louisiana? I don't have his number regardless.

The man in JMRA's post looks like "Turtle Man."

I thought he lived in Kentucky. We love turtle man around here.

Yes, he's in Kentucky, but he's been traveling and was even in Texas.

My son & hubby love the show, I'm burned out on it.

But in all seriousness, you did the right thing, from what I've seen on the show, they can be pretty strong and vicious. Hope it doesn't come back.

CHLLady wrote:But in all seriousness, you did the right thing, from what I've seen on the show, they can be pretty strong and vicious. Hope it doesn't come back.

Then there were the 3 that found their way into my attic a day before a hurricane... A couple of them were easily 3' long stretched out.

I don't want the muss or fuss of shooting a sick raccoon.. But it was coming right at me. ;) And was wearing a mask.

Funny story--About 4 years ago I had gotten ready to go to work. It had rained all night. We had 3 dogs, an 85 pound pit bull (Champ), a 80 pound golden retriever (Lucy), and a 10 pound mix (Gidget) all of which I let outside to do their business. All of a sudden they started raising cane in the back corner of the yard. Now, we have an electric (or telephone) pole in the corner of the yard. I go out to see what was going on, flashlight in hand. I get out there and see that they have a possum cornered between the fence and the pole. The 2 big dogs are trying to get to his head. I grab both big dogs by the collar and pulling them back, sliding in the mud. About that time Gidget, the little 10 pound mix, brave girl that she is, decides to bite the possum on the tail. I squeals, and flies out from behind the pole and lands on my right leg. Me looking down at what appeared at the time to be 3" long teeth and him looking up at me, then both of the big dogs cross trying to get to him. I go down in the mud, all 3 dogs AND the possum run across me and my wife standing on the patio laughing uncontrollably. That is a night I will always remember and tell my grandkids about.

Last year while I was doing the preseason check on our deer lease I found a coon in one of the stands. He had slipped through a small opening that he apparently chewed and to my way of thinking it would barely accommodate a rat much less a medium size raccoon. It had completely destroyed the inside to build a nest. Shredding everything that was leather, plastic or fabric; even some of the carpet that was glued to the floor. Feces and urine completed the disgusting picture. I poked and prodded him but the only response I got was the low, loud growl of a very angry coon. You have to hear it to know what it's like. I just left the door open thinking it would leave. Next day it was still there and simply refused to get out no matter what I did. Finally had to pull out my Kahr .40 and take it out. I believe he may have had distemper because I don't think it's normal for them to sleep and poop in the same place. Most of you know what a medium size raccoon looks like, but here's the picture of him the following day after the critters were done with the carcass. I'd never seen anything like this. Turned completely inside out and cleaned to the bone. Most likely the buzzards did it since I saw now evidence of chewed skin or bone. OR....... maybe it was a Chupacabra that did it!

I'm not in favor of either Coons, Possums, or Skunks. My record: Bill with Buckshot, 2: Skunks 0. Coon, my .40 took care of it. Don't want either critter around here... Yes, I watch Turtle Man! That guy is fearless, but obviously knows his animals. One day...he may lose and critter wins...hope not.