Texas Hunting Forum
Raccoons?
Posted By: b weezy
Raccoons? - 06/12/16 02:44 AM
Anybody have any tips on how to keep coons from climbing my feeder legs? I already have a cage around the motor and all it's doing is giving them something to hold on to while they spin my feeder.
Posted By: Creekrunner
Re: Raccoons? - 06/12/16 02:48 AM
4"PVC, cut in 3+ foot lengths, screw a chain on one end and put the other chain end up high on the feeder leg. Not 100% foolproof, but keeps a lot of 'em off. They can't grip the PVC too well and they spin around with the chain.
Posted By: krmitchell
Re: Raccoons? - 06/12/16 03:41 AM
Yep, pic pipe around the legs, they just spin it and can't get a grip.
Posted By: MathMan
Re: Raccoons? - 06/12/16 04:07 AM
Yep, pic pipe around the legs, they just spin it and can't get a grip.
I agree. This is the best of what we've tried. Have had no pics of coons on feeders since.
Posted By: Western
Re: Raccoons? - 06/12/16 12:45 PM
What CR said..larger cage may help with the smart ones as well.
CR, some big E TEx coons under that feeder
Posted By: b weezy
Re: Raccoons? - 06/12/16 02:12 PM
Thanks guys...I'll be buying some chain and pipe and fixing it up next weekend
Posted By: Wilhunt
Re: Raccoons? - 06/12/16 02:16 PM
Put a little grease on the PVC, not the whole pipe just a small part.
Posted By: S.A. hunter
Re: Raccoons? - 06/13/16 05:36 AM
You can't stop them!
Posted By: SniperRAB
Re: Raccoons? - 06/13/16 06:56 PM
PVC Pipe wont stop them..
Simple..
Eliminator Feeder Plates
Dukes Dog Proof Traps and repeat process...
Two things that work for me:
Duke Dog Proof Traps and a .17HMR @ 100 yds.
Trap until they get wise, then set up 75-100 yds out and snipe the rest.
Wait a month, rinse and repeat.
Posted By: HarperDeer
Re: Raccoons? - 06/14/16 04:18 AM
The Dukes traps work good. I have a dozen and run a trap line every time I go to the ranch. I bait mine with sardines.
Posted By: SniperRAB
Re: Raccoons? - 06/14/16 12:39 PM
Two things that work for me:
Duke Dog Proof Traps and a .17HMR @ 100 yds.
Trap until they get wise, then set up 75-100 yds out and snipe the rest.
Wait a month, rinse and repeat.
Sweet Setup Flint....
Posted By: cabosandinh
Re: Raccoons? - 06/14/16 04:07 PM
my experience, they have learned to chew on the pipe to get grips,
over time they learn to get just enough grips then jump to destination
I have traps, and easily kill 5 at a time but they keep coming
lately, i've been playing tricks on them to get them frustrated.
I put grease on all the legs. They get frustrated after 15-45 min and leave
Posted By: dogcatcher
Re: Raccoons? - 06/17/16 07:20 PM
Our cages are the same diameter as the barrel, makes it almost impossible for them to reach the spinner plates.
Posted By: ELKMTB
Re: Raccoons? - 06/18/16 01:12 PM
Can coons jump? I would think you would have to have 4-5 feet of pipe to do anygood
Posted By: ELKMTB
Re: Raccoons? - 06/18/16 01:14 PM
I have tested the monkey biscuits and I don't think they work. Unless more coons keep moving in
Posted By: Ranch Dog
Re: Raccoons? - 06/18/16 09:01 PM
I use strong cages on my spin feeders and it has eliminated the problem. Of course, they still are going to be under the feeders.
On the Gallagher website they have a electric fence pattern that supposedly keeps them away, at least the videos I've seen with the configuration work.
My problem has been with protein feeders. From camera surveys, I feel that I am losing 50% to 90% of my feed to raccoons and decided to start trying methods to eliminate it. I had started using the Redneck T-Post feeders several years ago and the loss is better in that the feeders don't hold the quantity large feeders do. Just 50 lbs. Still when coons set to work on it they shovel it out.
I decided to use electric fencing to keep the coons off the feeder. I started the project of wiring up a feeder several weeks ago but had too many irons in the fire with family and other ranch projects. I also ran some tests here at the ranch house but finally set up a modified feeder today in the pasture with camera surveillance to see how it works out.
I used poly wire webbed around the feeder with extended wood post insulators. The insulators have a dab of NP1 on them and then are screwed into the side of the feeder with #8 x 1½ sheet metal screws. The poly wire and insulators completely surround the feeder. You can touch the feeder and the insulators but you durn sure don't want to touch that wire! Hoochie mama! I have a number of fence chargers that I use to keep deer out of food plots until they are ready to be browsed and just took a spare for this test. Plenty hot!
I will leave it alone for a week, other than to fill it and then pull the camera to see how it is working. Hopefully it does well and I will modify all of them.
In that I live on my place and spend a lot of time with this type of stuff, I'm not big at shooting critters off of feeders. I think if you want big bucks to hit them it is the wrong thing to do. Plus, all you do is create a "black hole" of opportunity that sucks another coon in. I've tried the shooting thing here at the house. I have one of these feeders at the house under a "moon" light and after killing 12 coons in a row, gave up. I buggered it as far as the deer were concerned as well.
I will report back on the hot feeder next week.
Posted By: kry226
Re: Raccoons? - 06/19/16 03:42 AM
I see a lot of guys recommending the dog proof traps and I join them. However Duke is not the only brand out there. I like the Z-Traps better due to their
two-way trigger, vice the Duke's one-way trigger. With the Z-Trap, if the coon pushes OR pulls, they trip the trap, and I'm certain I've caught more coons because of it.
No affiliation with the Z, just sharing my experience.
http://www.ztraps.com/
Posted By: Ranch Dog
Re: Raccoons? - 06/19/16 02:01 PM
Reference my protein feeder above...
We had a light rain between 4 and 8 this morning so I went out to look at the feeder just now. In the damp soil I could see that the deer stood at the feeder and ate (from the dribble of protein on the ground). Hopefully, this week I will video a raccoon assault against the feeder and record whether the mod is up to the task or not.
We have crank-up feeders and have never had a coon get to one.
And DP trap them suckers at every chance (Dukes or whoever). And use corn for bait, that is what the coons are there for.
We have a feeder where the deer have stopped coming around for a while (a lot of ranch activity) and the corn is piling up. The silly coons still go for the corn in the DP trap. It is funny to drive up to a feeder where the ground is solid yellow with corn and there in a coon with hand in the cookie jar, happens a few times a week.
Posted By: Palehorse
Re: Raccoons? - 06/20/16 10:32 AM
They are pretty crafty.
Posted By: ELKMTB
Re: Raccoons? - 06/20/16 06:32 PM
I've got pictures of them swinging from my wench up feeder, no problem climbing them at all.
Posted By: Creekrunner
Re: Raccoons? - 06/20/16 06:59 PM
Remedial PSA...
w
inch:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
w
ench:
Posted By: Ranch Dog
Re: Raccoons? - 06/21/16 01:12 AM
Yeah, they don't stay off my "winch" hung feeders either. Still need a strong cage.
Posted By: ELKMTB
Re: Raccoons? - 06/21/16 01:23 AM
Lol
Posted By: lms
Re: Raccoons? - 06/23/16 01:56 AM
Coons can jump 5 to 6 feet, trap'em and shoot'em to keep the population down
Yeah, they don't stay off my "winch" hung feeders either. Still need a strong cage.
Got any pictures of one actually on the timer box? My winch hung (crank-ups) feeders have never had a coon get to the timer box. I have got pictures of them up and down the legs and they have even made it to the top. But never has one been able to climb down the side of the barrel from the top or make the 3 foot leap from the feeder leg to the time box. Maybe my coons are lacking the skills, or the feeder legs are far enough away that they cannot make the jump to the timer box.
Posted By: Ranch Dog
Re: Raccoons? - 06/23/16 12:38 PM
No, no pictures. The tripod feeder is at my house and I don't have a camera on it. It is an All Seasons feeder. Just not uncommon to see a coon go up the pole, let his rear legs go, and swing over the the feeder box. Before the cage was on the box, a coon would hang from the timer and rake the corn out. After I put the cage on it took them some time to figure out it wasn't going to work. Shot a number of them while they were hanging off the basket. My dad's house is about the same distance as mine from the feeder and he tried it but shot a hole in my feeder.
Posted By: Stratgolfer
Re: Raccoons? - 06/23/16 01:15 PM
coons emptied out my feeder and another guy on the lease (he's got PVC, I don't). Fattest little thieves I've ever seen
Posted By: Creekrunner
Re: Raccoons? - 07/02/16 10:34 PM
Well, at least I can admit when I'm wrong. Or, as my mother was fond of saying "I've been wrong once before." 3 sacks of feed gone in a week.
Dance party at the feeder:
I put smaller pvc on the 4 cross supports to hopefully roll the devils off, switched back to my old feeder with a shop-built expanded metal varmint guard and, when I'm staying up there, two duke's will be set.
Then I have to sit and try to pop some pigs.
This corn and soybeans is bringing stuff outa the wood work.
Posted By: don k
Re: Raccoons? - 07/02/16 11:06 PM
You have to kill them all. That is the only way. Most of my retired life is spent trying to kill coons and coyotes.
Posted By: passthru
Re: Raccoons? - 07/03/16 01:58 AM
The PVC works well. I like trapping them though. Just because I want them dead.
Posted By: SniperRAB
Re: Raccoons? - 07/03/16 06:02 PM
I've got pictures of them swinging from my wench up feeder, no problem climbing them at all.
Yep won't stop them
Posted By: Reloder28
Re: Raccoons? - 07/10/16 09:08 PM
I had Kevin Weaver build me a coon caged skid for my Sweeney. Lots of wire for them to hang from. But, they cannot get to my spinner. Defeated them at least.
www.weaverbilt.comTxAg here on the board.
Posted By: stxranchman
Re: Raccoons? - 07/11/16 11:21 PM
Golden Malrin mixed with grape soda in a pie plate. They will die feet from where you set it out after drinking.
Posted By: don k
Re: Raccoons? - 07/13/16 11:09 PM
Golden Malrin mixed with grape soda in a pie plate. They will die feet from where you set it out after drinking.
Very true.
Posted By: stxranchman
Re: Raccoons? - 07/13/16 11:31 PM
Golden Malrin mixed with grape soda in a pie plate. They will die feet from where you set it out after drinking.
Very true.
Very very illegal also.
Posted By: don k
Re: Raccoons? - 07/13/16 11:39 PM
Golden Malrin mixed with grape soda in a pie plate. They will die feet from where you set it out after drinking.
Very true.
Very very illegal also.
Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Posted By: stxranchman
Re: Raccoons? - 07/13/16 11:43 PM
Golden Malrin mixed with grape soda in a pie plate. They will die feet from where you set it out after drinking.
Very true.
Very very illegal also.
Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Sure, but not openly stating to everyone in the world on a public forum.
Posted By: SniperRAB
Re: Raccoons? - 07/14/16 01:04 AM
Opens thread
Closes thread
Smh
Posted By: texaspirate
Re: Raccoons? - 07/14/16 07:43 PM
Well I'm reading all this and going to try the dog proof traps in the next couple weeks Report back soon
Posted By: kry226
Re: Raccoons? - 07/15/16 04:19 AM
Well I'm reading all this and going to try the dog proof traps in the next couple weeks Report back soon
Posted By: Ranch Dog
Re: Raccoons? - 07/15/16 12:12 PM
My electric feeder is working but I also ordered the Z-traps.
Posted By: Gacman
Re: Raccoons? - 07/18/16 08:31 PM
I got tired of trapping and shooting coons a couple years ago. Coons 1, gacman 0. But they still have a debt to pay, and I've been known to hold a grudge.
Posted By: coyotebass
Re: Raccoons? - 07/18/16 09:37 PM
golden marlin fly crystals in a pie pan and pour mountain dew or coke over crystals. set under feeder. they wont make it 20 feet. never had a deer even look at it
Posted By: Baumwoll
Re: Raccoons? - 07/18/16 11:39 PM
GM and grape soda does the trick to get rid of coons course it will get rid of anything else that sips on it
Ditto, I have four. Last trip down I had two coons and a skunk. I use the cheapest tuna I can find
The Dukes traps work good. I have a dozen and run a trap line every time I go to the ranch. I bait mine with sardines.
Can coons jump? I would think you would have to have 4-5 feet of pipe to do anygood
Posted By: TEXAN1970
Re: Raccoons? - 07/20/16 01:01 AM
Step 1 A live trap, Step 2 Can of cat food, Step 3 22 LR, Step 4 BBQ Coon.
Repeat step's 1 - 4 Daily till problem is gone.
Posted By: don k
Re: Raccoons? - 07/20/16 11:32 AM
The bad things about steel, live or dukes is that I have seen them set and then left unattended for a week. What is more humane? A raccoon starved for a week. A raccoon left to chew their leg off. Or one that drinks something and dies in a few minutes?
Posted By: rex47
Re: Raccoons? - 07/20/16 02:08 PM
my feeder cage has a electric wire built into it, no coons so far.
Posted By: Creekrunner
Re: Raccoons? - 07/27/16 10:18 PM
The war has begun. Up here for a few days. 2 Duke's set and will check them in the morning with the veinte dos. Hope I baited them right. Cat food, sardines, and festive mini marshmallows. 'Wanted them to have a colorful exit.
Posted By: Creekrunner
Re: Raccoons? - 07/28/16 07:05 PM
One outa two this morning.
Got any pictures of one actually on the timer box? My winch hung (crank-ups) feeders have never had a coon get to the timer box.
Posted By: Ranch Dog
Re: Raccoons? - 08/02/16 06:37 PM
What are you guys doing about fire ants on your bait? I've started using the Z-trap but almost immediately my traps are covered in fire ants.
Posted By: Spent Brass
Re: Raccoons? - 08/02/16 06:52 PM
To keep the coons off your feeders, go buy a tube of grease, like the one that goes in your grease gun. Put on some latex gloves, open the tube, smear the grease on the legs of said feeder. I haven't had a coon on my feeders for 10 years and it works 100% of the time. I only have to apply once a year. It's cheap and very effective! Deer won't be spooked by it and the coons spend the rest of the week trying to get the grease out of their coat. I love making the little &*%$#!'s miserable.
Posted By: Pineyridge2
Re: Raccoons? - 08/02/16 07:35 PM
Eliminator Spin plates have worked great for me.
Posted By: Dalee7892
Re: Raccoons? - 08/02/16 08:48 PM
I still like my 4" PVC on my legs. I tried the grease it seems the smell just didn't have as many deer coming in afterwards. Then tried the lard with hot spices mix in smeared on the legs NO GO, washed off with rain. PVC the cheapest for me. Just hunted in pop up with 22 at night.
I bait mine in the late afternoon, no problems. If you can find Drione insecticide, dust the mound
What are you guys doing about fire ants on your bait? I've started using the Z-trap but almost immediately my traps are covered in fire ants.