Shooting a trapped raccoon?

[greenmulberry]

Hello all, I have been having terrible raccoon problems.

I have a "have a heart" trap, and a .22 rifle, and was planning to trap it (or them over several days) and shoot it with the 22 while in the trap.

But then, there was a story on the local news about someone to shot himself in the leg while trying to shoot a trapped animal, the bullet ricocheted off the trap.

And that got me thinking, Is it dangerous to do this? Is there any safety advice for when shooting a trapped animal? What is the best protocol?

I need to dispose of these raccoons!

 

[loanwizard]

I have shot many in the trap. I suppose the bullet could ricochet but I always angle the gun away from me I guess. I wonder if that is a real story or a myth?

Anyway, you could release it and shoot it after it is out of the trap and if you don't trust your aim with a .22, upgrade to a 12 gauge.

Good Luck,
Shawn

 

[JimnTer]

I have shot quite a few while still in the live trap as well. I have had a few bullets hit the wire and I suppose they deflected off to one side, but I have never had one come back at me. The only tip I can think of is don't have the trap sitting on concrete or really stony ground when you shoot the raccoon.

 

[Darin115]

I have shot a ton in the trap. Just make sure you get the muzzle inside the trap so the bullet hits the animal first and not wire. You can get CB longs and the bullet should not exit the animal.

I just use regular bullets and have never shot myself in the leg. I would not suggest shooting it on rocky ground.

You can always fill up a barrel of water and drop the trap in it for a while. Come back and bury the dead coon.

Darin