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LouB[_2_]

wrote:
Frank wrote:
wrote:
On Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:57:31 -0500, Bert Byfield
wrote:

Apparently some raccoons have taken up residence under our deck,
we see the kids poking their heads out. I am thinking about
letting them hang out, but my wife is concerned that they may
destroy things. Any comments? Best way to get rid of them if
needed?
I'd get a Hav-a-hart trap, their largest, and trap and relocate
them. They will at least be a pain trying to get in your trash or
bird feeder.
The trap won't work if someone has already trapped them and
relocated them to your neighborhood, thus teaching them how traps
work. I had a trap and the raccoon reached underneath it and clawed
the bait to bits and let it drop out the bottom of the trap where he
could get it without going inside.

Trapping and relocating wild animals without a license is against the
law in many places.

Did not know the law at the time. I had actually released a trapped
squirrel in the park in the presence of a county cop in the county
substation near the park and he said nothing. Later I read in the
paper that you can trap and kill an animal but not release it
elsewhere. Kinda stupid isn't it?

Depends on the animal and where it is. Bald eagles and gopher tortoise
take an act of congress and have delayed many construction projects in
FL. Having vultures crapping all over your house is not excuse to kill
them. OTOH, folks invite all kinds of problems with leaving food sources
for wild animals.....neighborhoods that go to war over feeding wild
birds, etc. Heron and egrets can spot a fishing pole from a mile away
and show up before we get bait on the hook, ready for handouts. I had a
seagull swipe a hot dog from the bun in my hand at the beach one day -
didn't see it coming. They grabbed a cookie from my grandsons hand,
without touching him.

Those two birds "earned" their chow:-))

Lou