Need to humanely kill raccoons in a cage

[Crash Davis]

Gentlemen,

Long time lurker would like to pick your brains.

Property within city limits is overrun with raccoons. Best way for me to deal with that is traps and have some ordered. Will need to walk past a part of the property that is very visible to the neighbors to get to where the problem is (I'll be out of sight doing the deed) so preferably need an air pistol I can carry discreetly like in a bucket or bag so the neighbors don't have the SWAT team launched. (Actually had that happen to an acquaintance about 10 years ago.) Willing to spend some money if needed. Plenty of gun experience but ZERO airgun experience since shooting a Daisy decades ago which probably doesn't count!

Is there an air pistol made that is 'strong' enough for a humane, point-blank shot or will I need to get a rifle? Have done some research and looks like I can remove the stock on a Notos and put on a pistol grip. Longer than I would like but probably workable.

Any recommendations on ammo?

Any other considerations I am forgetting to ask?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate the advice.

 

[hlee]

I’ve shot a number of raccoons in live traps. Anything less than a perfect brain shot from a 22 lr just riles them up. i wouldn’t use an air pistol.

 

[YBPS]

Get a trash can and fill it with water

 

[mrtoyz]

Yes trash can and water

 

[Edsel]

Is something of this sort an option?

 

[MO Fugga]

Turn them loose in the ghetto.

 

[Roadrace33]

Turn them loose in the ghetto.

Those fuckers would come back, less than 24 hrs they’d bring friends too!!

 

[SalomonQST99]

I think the head of the HOA would like two or three.

 

[Baron23]

Ah…dead and cooked at the same time. Hmm, Dem' coon is good eating if well done. Lol sorry, just having a little fun w you and yes, I’m useless.

 

[MountainHombre]

Benjamin Marauder PCP in 22 cal, but it must be a head shot. Put a DonnyFL suppressor on it.

Or go "No Country" style.

 

[MO Fugga]

Know somebody with a large predator pet?

 

[cas6969]

I have a pellet pistol that I killed a bunch of rabbits with. Chest/lung shots as well as head shots. And when I tried using it on raccoons skulls at point blank range, they literally just bounced off their heads. I ended up switching to Aguila Colibri's in a short .22 rifle. The noise is so un-alarming and vague, no one seems to pay it any mind. They aren't instantaneous lights out, they some times thrash around a bit for a few seconds, but it's pretty quick.

Prior to that I was putting the have a heart trap in a large plastic bag. Then closing/taping the end around around a short length of hose, then putting that over the tail pipe of the car. Effective, though clumsy on the whole. It also never seemed to take the same amount of time, the whole awkward affair taking place in my driveway in the middle of the night, or early in the morning before work. It was too much, and why I switch to popping them.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Hillbilly style, Forked Stick to hold head down & use long tube & spray foam into mouth & nose.
Rambo style, same forked stick hold head into position, Knife, or kill rod, thru the eye socket directly into the brain.

 

[wvfarrier]

A Co2 powered pellet pistol kills them quick and easy and most importantly....quietly.

 

[wvfarrier]

They will look right at you so just pop them between the eyes or through the top/center of the skull. No fuss and little blood. As others have said....a trash can full of water works too but can also net you an animal cruelty charge if a Karen/Ken sees you doing it

 

[joe777]

Drowning them has always seemed to be more humane than shooting them in the live trap. They just go nuts and it's hard to get a good head shot

 

[YBPS]

The can hold their breath for approx 120 seconds. Just sayin.