Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management Racoons?

I know raccoons will eat anything they can get their hands on, but are they much of a threat to our ponds? I'm sure they're not out swimming around grabbing 5 lb Bass, but I see them every single night on my trail cams hunting in the shallow end of my pond. How good are they at catching fish? I imagine they are mostly grabbing crayfish and small minnows they can get their hands on, but they sure seem to find my pond to be a prime hunting grounds. Any thoughts? Thanks

IMO, if a fish gets taken out by a racoon, he deserves it.

Well, every raccoon that you remove will leave more food for the fish that are in the pond, the ground nesting and tree cavity nesting birds will have a greater nest success too. Plovers, sandpipers, kildeer, turkeys, wood ducks, etc. all will thank you.

My raccoons are on the hit list I really wouldn't care about them eating fish, but their damage to my feeders is paramount. A 6 V Moultrie solar panel is about 30-40 bucks... I got a good buy at $25 apiece and used the money I saved on push/pull raccoon traps. However, my trapping skills are suspect. I'm remote and only out for a day or two out at my recreational property, it makes trapping tough.

Not sure what a push/pull trap is. I use plain leg hold traps. I dig a 2 ft trench about4 or 5 inches deep. I put the trap in and stake it down. But, I don’t bait it. I just put some bait Iike part of an orange or small bacon on it. When the baits start disappearing, inset the trap ad scatter small amounts of bat around it. Generally, it takes about a day or 2.

DD1,

That seems like great advice for people that don't live at their property.

I am always worried about getting tied up on some surprise job and not making it back out to the farm to run the trap line.

I like the idea of getting the raccoons acclimated to the traps with zero risk, and then you can hopefully catch a bunch over a short time when you can run the traps.

Run dukes dog proof with a marshmallow as bait. Easy peasy. I try not to trap them unless they are destroying things. I didn't figure they were probably having a big impact on my fish, but they sure will light up the trail cam all night long so I was curious other people's insights or experiences with them on fisheries.

They kill a lot of turtles when they move from lake to lake for breeding or whatever…. Horrible death for the turtles, they chew their legs off then finish them off

Haven't seen that any at my pond, I'd be happy if they took out some snappers. Snapping turtles and snakes are immediately removed when I see them

Plus one on the dog proof traps, they work like a million dollars, I use regular fish food in them, they love the stuff, and lasts much longer and easier then marshmallows or several other mixed concoctions that I found recipes on the internet for. fish food in the trap and then I sprinkle some Anise seeds or oil or just regular vanilla extract, around the trap, really pleasant smelling but very pungent smell, will attract them from a long ways off, much further then the fishfood will.

Biggest problem with the fishfood is, if it rains in it, it will get really nasty really fast, I remedy that by cutting a wedge of 6" pvc pipe, about 16 inches long and stick one end into the ground and lean the other end over the trap for a really easy roof so they never get a drop of rain in them. and the coons will flip them off to the side to get to the feed, seem to find it even more irresistible if it looks like you are trying to keep them from it.

Rod, I never set a trap unless I’m going to be there the next morning. When I getting ready to set a trap I use a game cam to find out what I’m messing with. Generally, it’s a coon but I’ve also seen neighbors dogs, skunks, etc. The last thing I want to catch in a leg hold trap is a damn skunk.

I’ve had problems with neighbors dogs and they generally deny that their puppy could be running my calves,, etc. Thats when I tell them that I’m glad their puppy stays home and it won’t get in one of my leg hold traps. That generally solves my problem for awhile. I’ve had a Sheriffs Deputy come see me about the suspicion of one of the neighbors re their dogs not coming home. I told one Deputy that I don’t even live here and wouldn’t know anything about stray dogs. He smiled and said he was about to go off duty but would be back in about 45 minutes. We had a couple of beers and he fired some rounds on my shooting range.

Although I don’t live there, I’ve owned the place for 38 years and have known several sheriffs. My land has a really high hill. Sheriffs Deputies used to come on my land and use the high hill that I have to watch for traffic on the dirt road. They were looking for drug deals. They knew where I kept the key to my gate and used it pretty regularly.

Scott (Esshup) and Alan (Fire is Hot) have both been there and can attest that it is a POS good only for hunting, shooting, fishing and and raising grandkids.

We have only ever caught raccoons in a live catch trap. (I only have to catch one of the barn cats once and it learns to stay out of the trap.) Peanut butter is my preferred bait for coons, but I have also caught them on grain and fruit while targeting groundhogs. Back when we had chickens, my wife caught 11 raccoons one Summer with no bait, just leaving the trap open next to the chicken coop.

If it is ONLY good for those four things, then POS must stand for Pretty Outstanding Spread!

My place also looks pretty rough, but I am constantly working to improve the hunting and fishing portion.

I hope it will be "grandkid ready" when those finally arrive!