Dealing with tree rats

[catman]

Hey those tree rats are nothing, compared to the size of the ones we grow down here.
They get really big eating my cat food.
I got a boat load of the darn things.
Chuck

[browningautorifle]

I dealt with some of THOSE a few years back. I trapped and disposed of 7 in 8 days...and three still stayed clear. That was just that litter. Thing is, they now give me a wide berth. They see me as a predator I guess...fine with me.

[vintage hunter]

We got plenty of them up here too. Good eatin. Biggest one my dad and I ever caught weighed 32 pounds. They can be some fierce little buggers when cornered too, it takes a dog with lots of grit to get the best of an uninjured one.
Did you know that when in distress a coon can make a call that sounds just like a small dog barking?

[catman]

We got plenty of them up here too. Good eatin. Biggest one my dad and I ever caught weighed 32 pounds. They can be some fierce little buggers when cornered too, it takes a dog with lots of grit to get the best of an uninjured one.
Did you know that when in distress a coon can make a call that sounds just like a small dog barking?

yeah, I heard that sound many times. They can also sound like a cat howling or a baby crying. Matter of fact, about 10 minutes ago, I just heard on make a aghh gump type noise, cause he's got a real hot chunk of burning lead in his tummy. if he could talk, he'd be saying,, DAMN that hurts!!!!
I like belly shot, this way he runs away and I don't have to deal with its disposal.
Chuck

[vintage hunter]

I didn't need to hear that. If you gotta kill it for whatever reason then make it quick and humane. Then deal with the disposal. Otherwise leave it be. As my handle indicates I'm an avid hunter, but I also go above and beyond to preserve wildlife. There are several non lethal ways to deal with problem animals. One is a product called shake-away, available at most garden centers. The other is an agricultural grade repellant called Milaganite, available at most any of the bigger feed & seed stores. Give it a try. It really works well.

[WarPig1976]

Never saw one in person except at the zoo. IIRC On the tv show "infested" an episode featured coons becoming very numerous, something like a 100 at a time and aggressive when the woman who was feeding them decided to stop. They are soooo cute until one stops by foaming from the mouth and walking in circles.

[browningautorifle]

One is a product called shake-away

I tried these miracle rids and spent money to no avail. It's like the things people put in their garden to keep deer away, they don't work on my deer. I found the hand removal method to be time consuming but permanent, and very satisfying...

They are soooo cute until one stops by foaming from the mouth and walking in circles.

This is one thing you can't tell these city folk around me. I have 800 acres of forest park next door, one neighbor feeds the squirrels peanuts from his kitchen window by the half bag...then I have to export them again. I keep a grip on them too...

[catman]

I didn't need to hear that. If you gotta kill it for whatever reason then make it quick and humane. Then deal with the disposal. Otherwise leave it be. As my handle indicates I'm an avid hunter, but I also go above and beyond to preserve wildlife. There are several non lethal ways to deal with problem animals. One is a product called shake-away, available at most garden centers. The other is an agricultural grade repellant called Milaganite, available at most any of the bigger feed & seed stores. Give it a try. It really works well.

Hey, I'm sorry if that didn't settle too well with you. I wasn't tying to hurt any ones feelings. I have made every attempt to do, "1 shot- clean kills" with these beasts and have NEVER been successful, as they are very difficult to kill with 1 shot. Notice all the blood in the pic? Those were both head shots, neither one dropped, they ran around squirting blood everywhere and attempt to chase and kill my cats in the process in a rage of anger. I have also shot 1 on the head--thinking I did a good "1 shot-1 kill" and 4 hours later, it sprung to life and tried to attack me, like some sort of Zombie in a movie.
The process of letting them go die in the forest, feeds the Possums, as they eat anything and everything.
However, I will now, take your advice and continue with attempting "drop shots" and clean up the mess.
Thanks for your input,
Chuck

[vintage hunter]

No worries cat. Maybe you need a bigger gun. BTW, what are you shooting them with, a 17?

[browningautorifle]

I'd think a .17 would be flawless...explosive even.