Comments on: Jamie v. Racoons

By: Isaac Johnson

Isaac Johnson — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:42:00 +0000

Or try this thing… User comments lead one to believe that it works.

If you want a laugh, check out the additional product photos…very badly photoshopped!

By: Isaac Johnson

Isaac Johnson — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:42:00 +0000

Oops, might need a url…

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000071NUS/ref%3Dnosim/bensbargaicenter/002-6538353-1175259

By: Joe Vandermark

Joe Vandermark — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 04:58:00 +0000

If you do happen to use the "shining ‘coons" technique, please let me in on the coon skin raffle… I really could use a new hat.

By: Pat Hambek

Pat Hambek — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 04:55:00 +0000

I believe war has been declared! .22 caliber’s are fun, but it will not repel a racoon. It will take more than one shot and will likely piss off said racoon. Pellet guns are great for aggrivating a situation but will not necessarily change the course of history. You could always get a trap (humane for you members of PETA, but I’d teach those bastards a lesson). Happy hunting!

By: Jim Bernard

Jim Bernard — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 04:36:00 +0000

I’m pleased to see the comments which cover, what appears to be the obvious solution. Anyone trying to defeat wild animals with staples for their sod, is someone who has never met a wild animal. The only thing to do here is work towards the source–shotguns, pellet guns, traps….what have you.

Take off the gloves, Jamie! Let ‘em have it!

By: Dave in Pennsylvania

Dave in Pennsylvania — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 17:48:00 +0000

A Hav-a-Hart trap is the other good choice. It’s the best $50 of home improvement money I ever spent. The tally after eighteen months is about 6 opossums, 1 raccoon, and 1 skunk.

You can show the catch to friends, neighbors, and before long, Mazie will appreciate the close-up look at a wild animal. Then drive out into the country and let them go.

Relocating a skunk requires a little extra care but it can be done. I’ve read about and talked to people who have moved many skunks.

By: John Murphy

John Murphy — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 14:26:00 +0000

I’d suggest a technique known as "shining ‘coons". You want a rifle that shoots 22 caliber shorts because of the quiet characteristics of this round. You’ll also need a Q-Beam or some other powerful flashlight, and a lot of patience. A good dog is real handy for this because they’ll wake you up when the coons are in your yard but, in lieu of a dog, you’ll have to wait up for them. Anyway, the shining part comes in when the coons actually show up. When that happens, your partner directs the Q-Beam at the coons and aim right between their beady little eyes and shoot. It’s important to note that the distance between a cat’s eyes is narrower than a coons, while a dog’s tend to be wider. Deers’ are higher and further apart but they are another popular shining target you might want to consider. Taping the Q-Beam to the barrel of the rifle works nicely as well in the likely event that your partner is your wife and will have no part of shooting the darling little animals.

Oh, another thing to consider is that young coons are pretty good eatin’. They’re not hard to clean and have a savory flavor reminiscent of muskrat or possum. You don’t want to old ones though. They tend to be too greasy and gamy and will stink up your kitchen.

Oh yeah, if you’re squeemish about shooting a gun in town, it may be legal to use a pellet gun. A pellet gun won’t kill a coon but it will definitely get their attention.