[ShotgunPro]

Have a raccoon problem on my property. Tried to get one with the xdm tonight but hitting a running **** in the dark aint easy. Thinking my best bet would just be to break out the shotgun. Curious what ammo would be recommended? Don't really care about a mess, im sure the coyotes will clean it up by morning. Im thinking just trying some 00?

 

[ShotgunPro]

Get a live trap, put a bowl of sunflower seeds inside the back behind the trip lever. Check it often around 10 PM to 12PM with a spot light out your window. As soon as he is caught in the trap go out with a pellet gun or a 22 and shoot him in the head. Dispose of him after he sets up. Don't leave him in the trap over night (alive) or he will destroy the wire cage trying to get out and may be gone before morning. I caught 6 this season robbing my bird feeders. Wild life doesn't like to eat raccons very well so they might be laying there for a while. Best to haul them out of sight.

 

[ShotgunPro]

If you decide to shoot them instead with your shotgun, use 4's or 5's. They will do the job without loss. Just remember they are hard to kill, have big teeth, are very strong, mean as hell and sometimes carry rabies, so be carefull. Make sure they are dead before transporting.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Thanks for the info, id rather not get into trapping them or a 22, I have neighbors within a mile.

I also have some basic 7 1/2 shot laying around, maybe I would be better off with that?

 

[ShotgunPro]

At very short range with a full choke, dove shot might work.

Personally, I hate the furry little buggers (a raccoon caused $2500 of damage to my car last year). I'd run with a good field load, no lighter than #6.

Hell, I'd use light buckshot, #4 or so.

Or my .500 Smith, if given the opportunity...

 

[ShotgunPro]

If you have 00 laying around, just use it. If you have to make a special trip to the gun shop to buy ammo, Id get #4.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Honestly...using a 12 ga it doesnt matter. I've killed tons of ***** with my 870 using standard clay target loads. #7, #6, 00 buck...it doesnt matter. They die no matter what...

 

[ShotgunPro]

Get a live trap, put a bowl of sunflower seeds inside the back behind the trip lever. Check it often around 10 PM to 12PM with a spot light out your window. As soon as he is caught in the trap go out with a pellet gun or a 22 and shoot him in the head. Dispose of him after he sets up. Don't leave him in the trap over night (alive) or he will destroy the wire cage trying to get out and may be gone before morning. I caught 6 this season robbing my bird feeders. Wild life doesn't like to eat raccons very well so they might be laying there for a while. Best to haul them out of sight.

^^^
+1 on the live traps, they work good...also if you shoot the racoon point blank while still in the cage with a .22 you most likely would be shooting downwards (angled towards the ground) & wouldn't have to worry about shooting towards the neighbors house, plus you could use sub-sonic ammo, & they probably wouldn't even hear it!

*EDIT* on second thought this is the shotgun forum, unload on him with 00 buck!

 

[ShotgunPro]

Step 1 use a cheap leg trap on a chain, you can find these online very cheap. Step 2 Set trap with bait. Step 3 When you will hear the raccoon screaming when he gets caught open door and start blasting. Works every time....

 

[ShotgunPro]

If you have 00 laying around, just use it. If you have to make a special trip to the gun shop to buy ammo, Id get #4.

i agree

 

[ShotgunPro]

I hate the masked buggers, too. I'd like to feed them Tannerite and set up on them with the AR.:twisted::twisted: Now that would be fun!:twisted:

 

[ShotgunPro]

I killed one a couple years back with the skid plate on my truck.
Outside of that. .22Shorts in my sangle shot would be my first choice. bait em into close range and crack one.
Shotgun, be aware of whats around when they are running. A buddy shot a running yoke with his 12 gauge and ended up with a couple dozen patches on a tractor tire. I would probably go with some #5 turkey loads that I have on hand.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I say use anything from #4-#6 but whichever it is, make sure that you use high brass shells like Remington Express Long Range (my personal favorite, effective, yet not too expensive) not low brass trap loads! My brother and I have been killing '***** around our farm for years with Rem. Express Long Range #6 and it has always dropped them in their tracks with no issues. My brother recently used that exact load to kill a pair of raccoons that weighed 17 lbs apiece with only one shot each!

That's just what I would do. You could use 00 but it's definitely overkill, not to mention expensive for this given purpose. Get a box of Express Long Range and have at 'em!