ZI just remembered. You could use the body hold trap. It is more humane than a leg trap as it kills the animal instantly. If you are not familiar with these, talk with a local trapper or outdoor store. They will steer you in the right direction.. Those would work for raccoons too, but a bigger size would be needed.
I just have live traps. We've used snares out aways from our animals But I have caught chickens and cats in the traps in the barns etc. So need to be choosey.
When Don posted about body hold traps, I went reading. Catching the unintended critters is the main downside. Apparently some states only permit their use in aquatic settings, since the environment pre-selects the available prey. I'd hate to set one out for raccoons only to find a critter wearing a collar in it.
That is a downside of any trap, but you can use them for possums and such. You might catch a cat in those but not a dog. The larger ones for raccoons could also catch dogs, but if you have neither in your area, or if you put them some where domestic creatures won't go, you are probably okay. Raccoons go places dogs can't get to.
Yeh, but as you know, these aren't trap & release. I find it interesting that they are banned in some places for non-aquatic trapping, when most others used by trappers aren't gonna leave the critter in any shape to survive. Nor are they of a type that one could release the critter without some degree of risk to the human. It sounds like a valueless compromise with "activists" to allow their use. That being said, I've never trapped...for a living or as a hobby.
It got in the 60s today. I tossed out trash this morning and saw tracks. Not a dog or a cat but different and at 9:00 pm I had my first sighting of a raccoon. Locked and loaded I hurried out the back door but it had disappeared. I have to admit I wasn't quiet, lol.
Yes, it has begun. I have a few deterrents that were given to me or sold to me for a dollar at the flea market last year that I'm going to use. Everyone had their tried and true method for raccoons now I have a few of them plus a few ideas in the works. Just for giggles I bought some balloons for target practice. My aiming is not good with this bb gun. I think I'm aiming right but I'm either too high or too off. If I can just get one good shot I praying it might make a difference with the activity in my backyard. I hated seeing my flowers trampled with no hope for recovery for the rest of the year. Last year I couldn't get any good photos for making slideshows for my computer. Even my potted flowers got tipped over.
BB guns are not real accurate. I doubt that it's your aim. I shoot at a large piece of cardboard or butcher paper to see the pattern of shots.
Okay John B. You've just busted my bubble of having any fun with this idea of mine. Balloons are fun cardboard and paper are not.