Raccoons

[BigBlueHen53]

@deek248, I am not a shooter of any stripe, and am dithering about what I need, what to purchas in order to dispatch a raccoon next time I catch one in a live trap. You say you can kill one with a pellet gun. Please, tell me where you would place the pellet for an instant kill? God knows I don't want to hurt the thing, I want an instant, humane kill. You say learn how to shoot and shot placement, so I am asking you. Thank you Sir.

 

[Howard E]

Shoot em in the forehead.

Again, I've got two air rifles...either of which would turn a coon's lights out, but compared to the cost of the Savage Rascal or a Cricket .22 single shot, the later are better values. About $150 to $200 and a box of .22 shorts. That is essentially the weapon we used back when I was tagging along with the neighbors hunting coons with a pack of hounds. A .22 with scope......a bright flashlight and a shot to the head and down they came.

All this assumes a novice shooter shooting a trapped varmint at close range. Skilled shooters could do the same at distance. Novice shooters.....not so much......unless they have a shotgun.

BTW, not to put too fine a point on it by the OP has stopped responding.

And once again, if you do your job and provide safe housing, that alone may render the weapon issue moot. I've the ability to take out varmints up to and including a bear........but I've fixed it so I never have to. Just saying.

 

[David61]

I had a long post on how to shoot, dispatch, kill, put down animals. Having been a hunter, competition shooter, food animal owner and country boy for over 50 years. Proof reading it was clear to me not to post it.
I will tell you this, it's not for everyone and it a learning process. Put it down and when its down and not out, put it out. It does take long to figure out how and if you are willing to do it.
Shot placement? Head center behind eyes and or center mass of chest. Instant kill? You know the instant that happens. One or twenty-nine shots. It happens in an instant. I have done it the same way and it still takes what it takes. One to what every it takes. Most of the time one or two but the odd five or six can happen.
It can be upsetting and not for everyone.