gonna make me a coonskin hat

[beaglebiz]

I am madder than mad. Our last three hens (from thirteen) were killed last night by a coon. I am taking my son and sitting up to wait for this sucker tonight. I even threw a piece of fish into the coop to entice him.
I have my back to basics book, and plan to make a coonskin cap out of this varmit. Wish us luck...seems about 2 am is the witching hour

[Oldcountryboy]

Well, you wearing that coonskin hat yet?

How are the coons gettin in your pen at nights? Don't you lock the chickens up at night? Are they digging a hole underneath the pen at nights? If so you might get a conniber trap and set it up at the entrance of the hole. This should take care of them.

[beaglebiz]

Yep, we lock them up....they are digging under the cage. We sat up two nights in a row to catch our bandit...no luck
The pen is chicken wire, then we reinforced the bottom two feet or so with plywood to keep the weasals out.
Well...they are gone now...I need to get some chicks or hatch some eggs closer to the spring (they get stinky in the basement)...I suppose the good news is I will save on feed this winter, because they didnt really lay at all in the winter, and there is no forage when the snow is on the ground

[Oldcountryboy]

Sorry about your luck there, I know how you feel being the owners of a few hens myself. But before you go out and buy yourself anymore hens go out and buy yourself a box trap. I have for when I have the occasional problem of a possum, coon, or skunk that gets into my pen. When I realize I've been robbed of a hen or two I look for where they got in. At this opening on the inside of the pen I place the box trap so that the next night when the critter comes back for seconds, it'll crawl right straight into the box. I've caught several raccoons and skunks this way.

This coming winter I'm gonna learn to trap and set traps all up and down the creek and hollers here where I live in hopes of thinning the majority of these bandits out. Hopefully I can make enough money to pay for my traps and buy a few hen replacements. Also, seeds for my garden.

Good luck in catching those critters.

[beaglebiz]

Just curious, but how do you get the skunk out of the trap?? (it sounds like a live catch box trap) or do you just shoot it??

[cowboy joe]

I hear ya. A family of coons took out all of our chickens, quail and most of the rabbits earlier this year. I'm gearing up to thin them out this trapping season.

A conibear should make short work of any coons. A old 5 gallon bucket with the trap at the opening and sweets like jam or marshmallows inside will do the trick...I caught a big bore like this last trapping season. Skunks and pets aren't a problem with this set up problem. (Google bucket set for more info)

Skunks are more of an issue when caught in a leg hold. Old timers will tell you to stay low and face to face while talking quietly to the shunk. Supposedly the shunk will let you walk right up and release the trap...supposedly. Either way, if you find yourself looking at the shunk's backside run...run fast as they're getting ready to give you a bath. Safety glasses or eye protection are probably a real good idea if you are going to release a live skunk as the spray can cause blindness if you are up close. Don't know if I'd try this.

Skunks in a live trap are even a different story depending on the size of the trap. A big trap is a problem, a small trap can be handled without too much of an issue. In a small trap, a skunk can't spray if they can't turn around so approach face to face. Open the front of the trap while standing off to the side then run off to the side or front. The skunk more than likely take a moment to clear the trap which gives you time to make your way clear.

Possums are a different story. I've had possum caught in leg holds roll over on their belly after they are set free for a good scratch. I figure possum do more good than harm so I do my best to avoid catching them and usually set them free if I do.

Good hunting to ya!