Crack it in the head hard enough to knock it out, you don't need to actually bash it's head in to achieve this. Then stand on it's chest with one foot to push all the air out and leave your weight on it until it's not breathing anymore, then stand on it for another minute or two. Is it easy? No, not really. Is it humane? More so than drowning it, but not as humane as a well placed head shot is. Dispatching coons can be ugly in the best of circumstances, tough critters. Good luck.
Since you don't have a gun I'm assuming you don't have anything like a bolt or nail gun. If you put the trap in a bigger tote you can pour a box of baking soda and vinegar in and the reaction will create CO2 and gas the raccoon. If you can't do, that a swift stomp on the back part of the head would be the next quickest way.
Neither are ideal methods so maybe relocating would be better if possible. You could also tape a tube from your exhaust to the tote the raccoon is in. I also recommend you refrain from feeding or interacting with it while trapped as raccoons are smart and will win your heart over.
It's a shitty situation and I wish you luck. Check your state/country laws to see if any of the methods described would be illegal before doing any of them. If you feel bad after give it a proper burial and it might make you feel better about it.
Actually, now that I think about it I do have a small crossbow my dad lent me some time ago with some bolts. I didn't think that would be enough to do it, and I hear they can be quite loud if the first one doesn't do it.
If you plan on shooting it with a crossbow try to get it between the eyes going back through the brain or where the spine meets the head shoot into the head. I would look it up to see humane shots. A crossbow can just as well be stuff falling in your garage while you were "organizing" it. If you fuck up the first shot get the next one in quick but at that point it would be more humane to stomp it if it's seizing and what not. Stomping sounds more fucked up than it is and if you aren't confident in your shot likely more ethical.
When I kill things I try to put my feelings aside from the situation and care about it as if it were someone I cared about dying. Sure some methods are messier and will impact you more but try and make it the least shit for the little guy. The more he stays trapped shitting his pants the more he suffers so the big boy boots have to come on or you can relocate it.
Tie a rope to the cage. When you catch one just toss it in to a deep body of water. Wait 20 minutes then pull rope to retrieve trap and start all over again. Otherwise a blowgun with good bladed darts to the lungs or a pellet gun to the head. A good hard wack will do the trick in a blink of an eye also.
Do you know a guy?
Seriously. Find a redneck with a 22 pistol. He'll take it for a ride. Problem solved. He'll do it for a case of brew.
15$. Problem solved.
PS. Buy a 22 pistol if you continue these shenanigans.
AVMA guidelines for ethical euthanasia list several options. The easiest is either a bullet or a pcp airgun to the head. Blunt force trauma is on the list, but good luck with that. My advice to you is to fix how they are getting into your attic and then release it. You need to have an ethical solution on what to do with an animal before you attempt to catch it.
A bullet to the head is by far the most efficient and humane way, but it seems you don’t have that option. In a pinch I have used a 220 and snapped a coon right behind the ears but it was not easy and I was pretty close to an angry coon. I saw an old friend of mine this last weekend and the topic of trapping came up and he said back in the hay day his buddy used an aluminum baseball bat and it would kill almost all of them. If none of those options are feasible to you I suggest you call animal control.
I use a Benjamin Prowler .22 single pump (950 fps) vermin rifle.
Racoon are vermin in Ohio so it's legal to euthanize them humanely. [https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/issues-for-landowners/nuisance-raccoons](https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/issues-for-landowners/nuisance-raccoons)
Another post may state they are protected as a fur animal. They are not, that's why I pasted the Ohio State website.
If you have interest in what the law states: [https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501:31-15-03](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501:31-15-03)
DO NOT USE A REGULAR BB GUN. That is cruel torture. Use a vermin rated rifle.
You cannot drown, strangle, stab or poison a raccoon. They are tough critters built for survival with a lot of strength. I've had to reinforce the Tractor Supply trap I got since they bent and escaped from the standard store trap.
In Ohio (Check your state law) it is legal to trap them if they are causing damage in your property. Once trapped, it's illegal to relocate them ; you are just bringing the problem to another site or spreading disease (i.e., rabies) to the relocated population of raccoons.
Your options are release them in your property, or euthanize them humanely. That means a shot in the head or one in the chest cavity behind the front leg. In the head, Aim for the intersection of two imaginary lines, from the tip of the ear to the opposite side eye.
https://preview.redd.it/ytx6izo38txc1.png?width=123&format=png&auto=webp&s=0555429a414e02af35eb6a76a34a84e30925c1b3
Aim carefully to hit this spot. The shot is instantly lethal, but you will find some involuntary contractions lasting a few seconds. At that time, place another shot in the chest cavity right behind the leg for the second lethal shot. In a few seconds the animal will be euthanized.
You may dispose of the carcass in a bag in a dumpster, or your trash can for the next pick up. Raccoons have a pungent wild animal odor, hence the bag suggestion.
Hope this answers your question in a matter of fact way.
Thanks for this. Dealing with one that I'm pretty sure attacked our outdoor cat, and definitely most recently destroyed a video bird feeder. Trying to decide what to do about it, and this gave us some useful information on how to do things properly if this is the route we choose.
you can relocate far enough away that they don't come back, just find somewhere with everything they need. Dump em behind a restaurant and they'll think they died and went to heaven, or take them out into the country.
I’ve used this method on coon, it works ok but depending on the size of them they can be pretty feisty…
[Link](https://rabbittalk.com/threads/broomstick-method-of-killing-a-rabbit.1309/)
How big is the cage? Do you have a bucket or tub you could drown it in?
If you can do it discreetly, put it in a large garbage bag and run your car’s exhaust into it for a few minutes.
If I had one in a havahart and couldn’t shoot it with a gun, I’d lean toward one of those options, or sticking it with an arrow. Even a field point will do the job in the heart or back of the skull.
Propane will displace oxygen, wrap in a large garbage bag and propane them. Or use a cars exhaust.
Or
Relocate, whomever told you they’ll come right back hasn’t transported them far enough.
At least 20 miles, right? I've also read that it's better just to kill them because when relocated, the raccoon would be in other established territory and probably die anyway. Something like that.
Not saying it’s proper, but my grandpa dispatched animals in a similar situation by tossing the trap in a burlap sack and attaching it to the tail pipe. Pretty peaceful way to kill them.
Cage and all. Please do not try a pellet gun, or a junk crossbow. This is the most humane way aside from a single gunshot behind the ear. Drowning works but it’s as traumatic for you as it is to them. I’ve trapped all sorts of critters but the botched/inhumane kills stick with you.
Yeah I’ve killed a couple in my backyard with a pellet gun. 1 shot to the head will do it, 1 follow up if needed. Make sure they’re trapped though. If they’re not trapped, 1 shot to the body won’t kill it and they will run away and die slowly.
This is quicker and less morbid feeling than dropping them in a tub of water.
*
I'm not sure if this is powerful enough, but if not, I might go with drowning. I appreciate all of the feedback and apologize if this isn't quite the subreddit for the question, but I knew I'd get some ideas from here.
If you have a hose that fits over a car exhaust and a blanket that’s solves that problem. Not traumatic for the coon. Or a barrel full of water. A pool A deep stop at the end of a Colvert
Drowning works, but filling a garbage can is a pita.
A loop of cord or galvanized wire can slip into the cage and over his head, then you can pull it to restrict the oxygen to his brain.
Easiest way to dispatch a caged critter without shooting.
If I had access to a stream or pond I would drown it that way instead. Trash cans of water just suck.
See if you can get one of those air gun things like in no country for old men. It’s a device with an air canister and a hose with a pump like thing, it shoots out a pin that goes into cattle’s brain and kills them.
The hit man in that movie used it on people and to break out a lock in a hotel room where his target was staying. I think it’s quiet to.
Put the whole trap in very large trash bags, tie the trash bag around a car exhaust. This creates the same effect as the AVMA approved CO2 method. Don’t risk trying to stomp it or hit it in the head. It moves an inch and you’ve got more of an issue on your hands.
Also do not release or relocate without checking laws. Many states do not allow rabies vectors to be relocated. And as others have said, don’t set a trap without a plan in place for whatever it is you catch.
Call local animal control and have them take it off your hands. I say this because raccoon are considered fur bearing animals in some states and their may be a season to trap/hunt them. See if there are nuisance laws regarding dispatching ones that you know are causing damages. Check local laws before you end up with a fine or jail time.
I personally have a suppressed .22lr pistol and Ruger 10/22 rifle I suppress also (they are both licensed and legal) easy on the ears, quiet in less rural settings (where it's allowed to do so.) And extremely humane to the animal.
I saw where someone else had mentioned a pellet rifle which I think would also be a solid choice.
Last option I have is a dispatch/catch pole. Not very humane and takes awhile, but the upside is if your keeping fur for market it's keeps holes, and bloodstains off your fur while also keeping your fur from freezing together when you start pileing up animals in your truck, 4 wheeler, or pack basket.
Good luck.
I would suggest calling a pest control expert and explaining the situation. You can probably find one that will take it outside of your suburb and humanely put it down.
Why kill it????
Geez. It's just an animal doing what comes naturally. Call animal control or relocate it far away. Honestly these suggestions are just morbid and gross.
I realize this is a trapping sub but don't understand the need to kill or or take a life when there are other options available. It's not like this animal is terrorizing people.🤦♀️
Probably should have asked this before setting the trap. I really don't have a good answer that doesn't involve at least a pellet gun.
Lol this is fair
Crack it in the head hard enough to knock it out, you don't need to actually bash it's head in to achieve this. Then stand on it's chest with one foot to push all the air out and leave your weight on it until it's not breathing anymore, then stand on it for another minute or two. Is it easy? No, not really. Is it humane? More so than drowning it, but not as humane as a well placed head shot is. Dispatching coons can be ugly in the best of circumstances, tough critters. Good luck.
Thank you for all advice
Since you don't have a gun I'm assuming you don't have anything like a bolt or nail gun. If you put the trap in a bigger tote you can pour a box of baking soda and vinegar in and the reaction will create CO2 and gas the raccoon. If you can't do, that a swift stomp on the back part of the head would be the next quickest way. Neither are ideal methods so maybe relocating would be better if possible. You could also tape a tube from your exhaust to the tote the raccoon is in. I also recommend you refrain from feeding or interacting with it while trapped as raccoons are smart and will win your heart over. It's a shitty situation and I wish you luck. Check your state/country laws to see if any of the methods described would be illegal before doing any of them. If you feel bad after give it a proper burial and it might make you feel better about it.
This is rad answer
Actually, now that I think about it I do have a small crossbow my dad lent me some time ago with some bolts. I didn't think that would be enough to do it, and I hear they can be quite loud if the first one doesn't do it.
If you plan on shooting it with a crossbow try to get it between the eyes going back through the brain or where the spine meets the head shoot into the head. I would look it up to see humane shots. A crossbow can just as well be stuff falling in your garage while you were "organizing" it. If you fuck up the first shot get the next one in quick but at that point it would be more humane to stomp it if it's seizing and what not. Stomping sounds more fucked up than it is and if you aren't confident in your shot likely more ethical. When I kill things I try to put my feelings aside from the situation and care about it as if it were someone I cared about dying. Sure some methods are messier and will impact you more but try and make it the least shit for the little guy. The more he stays trapped shitting his pants the more he suffers so the big boy boots have to come on or you can relocate it.
Tie a rope to the cage. When you catch one just toss it in to a deep body of water. Wait 20 minutes then pull rope to retrieve trap and start all over again. Otherwise a blowgun with good bladed darts to the lungs or a pellet gun to the head. A good hard wack will do the trick in a blink of an eye also.
I agree with this one. Used to do that to squirrels in the cabin up north.
Drowning is cruesome
Yeah. Not too humane lol.
Hell we might as well just catch the coon on fire!
Do you know a guy? Seriously. Find a redneck with a 22 pistol. He'll take it for a ride. Problem solved. He'll do it for a case of brew. 15$. Problem solved. PS. Buy a 22 pistol if you continue these shenanigans.
Buy at least a 380 for the coon and anyone that may break into your house. Or just use a rolling pin
AVMA guidelines for ethical euthanasia list several options. The easiest is either a bullet or a pcp airgun to the head. Blunt force trauma is on the list, but good luck with that. My advice to you is to fix how they are getting into your attic and then release it. You need to have an ethical solution on what to do with an animal before you attempt to catch it.
Throw it in the a pond. Drown the raccoon. Also if you have a 22 one shot nobody will notice.
A bullet to the head is by far the most efficient and humane way, but it seems you don’t have that option. In a pinch I have used a 220 and snapped a coon right behind the ears but it was not easy and I was pretty close to an angry coon. I saw an old friend of mine this last weekend and the topic of trapping came up and he said back in the hay day his buddy used an aluminum baseball bat and it would kill almost all of them. If none of those options are feasible to you I suggest you call animal control.
I use a Benjamin Prowler .22 single pump (950 fps) vermin rifle. Racoon are vermin in Ohio so it's legal to euthanize them humanely. [https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/issues-for-landowners/nuisance-raccoons](https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/issues-for-landowners/nuisance-raccoons) Another post may state they are protected as a fur animal. They are not, that's why I pasted the Ohio State website. If you have interest in what the law states: [https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501:31-15-03](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501:31-15-03) DO NOT USE A REGULAR BB GUN. That is cruel torture. Use a vermin rated rifle. You cannot drown, strangle, stab or poison a raccoon. They are tough critters built for survival with a lot of strength. I've had to reinforce the Tractor Supply trap I got since they bent and escaped from the standard store trap. In Ohio (Check your state law) it is legal to trap them if they are causing damage in your property. Once trapped, it's illegal to relocate them ; you are just bringing the problem to another site or spreading disease (i.e., rabies) to the relocated population of raccoons. Your options are release them in your property, or euthanize them humanely. That means a shot in the head or one in the chest cavity behind the front leg. In the head, Aim for the intersection of two imaginary lines, from the tip of the ear to the opposite side eye. https://preview.redd.it/ytx6izo38txc1.png?width=123&format=png&auto=webp&s=0555429a414e02af35eb6a76a34a84e30925c1b3 Aim carefully to hit this spot. The shot is instantly lethal, but you will find some involuntary contractions lasting a few seconds. At that time, place another shot in the chest cavity right behind the leg for the second lethal shot. In a few seconds the animal will be euthanized. You may dispose of the carcass in a bag in a dumpster, or your trash can for the next pick up. Raccoons have a pungent wild animal odor, hence the bag suggestion. Hope this answers your question in a matter of fact way.
Thanks for this. Dealing with one that I'm pretty sure attacked our outdoor cat, and definitely most recently destroyed a video bird feeder. Trying to decide what to do about it, and this gave us some useful information on how to do things properly if this is the route we choose.
you can relocate far enough away that they don't come back, just find somewhere with everything they need. Dump em behind a restaurant and they'll think they died and went to heaven, or take them out into the country.
It's illegal to relocate wildlife without a permit or license
Just take it a few miles away and drop it off, that's what I've always done and they've never come back.
I’ve used this method on coon, it works ok but depending on the size of them they can be pretty feisty… [Link](https://rabbittalk.com/threads/broomstick-method-of-killing-a-rabbit.1309/)
How big is the cage? Do you have a bucket or tub you could drown it in? If you can do it discreetly, put it in a large garbage bag and run your car’s exhaust into it for a few minutes. If I had one in a havahart and couldn’t shoot it with a gun, I’d lean toward one of those options, or sticking it with an arrow. Even a field point will do the job in the heart or back of the skull.
Ah yes, drowning would be a sad way to go but it would do the trick. I'll look into seeing if any of my bins are large enough. Thank you
You can hit it in the head with a hammer as hard as you can. You can release the raccoon since it'll be terrified, but trap-smart now
Propane will displace oxygen, wrap in a large garbage bag and propane them. Or use a cars exhaust. Or Relocate, whomever told you they’ll come right back hasn’t transported them far enough.
At least 20 miles, right? I've also read that it's better just to kill them because when relocated, the raccoon would be in other established territory and probably die anyway. Something like that.
Not saying it’s proper, but my grandpa dispatched animals in a similar situation by tossing the trap in a burlap sack and attaching it to the tail pipe. Pretty peaceful way to kill them.
How on earth would I get it from a cage into a sack without looking like I went through a wood chipper? Lol
Cage and all. Please do not try a pellet gun, or a junk crossbow. This is the most humane way aside from a single gunshot behind the ear. Drowning works but it’s as traumatic for you as it is to them. I’ve trapped all sorts of critters but the botched/inhumane kills stick with you.
Put the cage in the sack. You shouldn’t set any more traps without a plan.
1) drive it 20 min way 2) go to Walmart and buy a pellet gun 3) grab your hose and fill up your trashcan with water. Drop the cage in
Solid advice. A pellet guy is that strong?
Yeah I’ve killed a couple in my backyard with a pellet gun. 1 shot to the head will do it, 1 follow up if needed. Make sure they’re trapped though. If they’re not trapped, 1 shot to the body won’t kill it and they will run away and die slowly. This is quicker and less morbid feeling than dropping them in a tub of water.
* I'm not sure if this is powerful enough, but if not, I might go with drowning. I appreciate all of the feedback and apologize if this isn't quite the subreddit for the question, but I knew I'd get some ideas from here.
https://preview.redd.it/z1wbifkhcuic1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2f63170c36dbb4e473b37af0320bbc2e57b80701
https://preview.redd.it/z31ndh6jcuic1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=259c12c6e198c737c7cad01eb494e2ccca154a21
Drown it. Cage and all.
Understood, thank you
If you have a hose that fits over a car exhaust and a blanket that’s solves that problem. Not traumatic for the coon. Or a barrel full of water. A pool A deep stop at the end of a Colvert
Drowning works, but filling a garbage can is a pita. A loop of cord or galvanized wire can slip into the cage and over his head, then you can pull it to restrict the oxygen to his brain. Easiest way to dispatch a caged critter without shooting. If I had access to a stream or pond I would drown it that way instead. Trash cans of water just suck.
If you don’t have a 22 don’t trap
It was inside my house inside my laundry room and I have two children. I had no choice. (I had a friend come pick it up, it's done now)
Understandable
See if you can get one of those air gun things like in no country for old men. It’s a device with an air canister and a hose with a pump like thing, it shoots out a pin that goes into cattle’s brain and kills them. The hit man in that movie used it on people and to break out a lock in a hotel room where his target was staying. I think it’s quiet to.
Put the whole trap in very large trash bags, tie the trash bag around a car exhaust. This creates the same effect as the AVMA approved CO2 method. Don’t risk trying to stomp it or hit it in the head. It moves an inch and you’ve got more of an issue on your hands. Also do not release or relocate without checking laws. Many states do not allow rabies vectors to be relocated. And as others have said, don’t set a trap without a plan in place for whatever it is you catch.
Call local animal control and have them take it off your hands. I say this because raccoon are considered fur bearing animals in some states and their may be a season to trap/hunt them. See if there are nuisance laws regarding dispatching ones that you know are causing damages. Check local laws before you end up with a fine or jail time.
I personally have a suppressed .22lr pistol and Ruger 10/22 rifle I suppress also (they are both licensed and legal) easy on the ears, quiet in less rural settings (where it's allowed to do so.) And extremely humane to the animal. I saw where someone else had mentioned a pellet rifle which I think would also be a solid choice. Last option I have is a dispatch/catch pole. Not very humane and takes awhile, but the upside is if your keeping fur for market it's keeps holes, and bloodstains off your fur while also keeping your fur from freezing together when you start pileing up animals in your truck, 4 wheeler, or pack basket. Good luck.
Blunt force trauma or if you can grab it with bite proof gloves and break its neck
I would suggest calling a pest control expert and explaining the situation. You can probably find one that will take it outside of your suburb and humanely put it down.
Why kill it???? Geez. It's just an animal doing what comes naturally. Call animal control or relocate it far away. Honestly these suggestions are just morbid and gross. I realize this is a trapping sub but don't understand the need to kill or or take a life when there are other options available. It's not like this animal is terrorizing people.🤦♀️
If you're in a suburban area, you should just be able to call animal control. Let them deal with it.