The new trail cam has arrived, and I now have a better idea of what has been going on around here. When I caught those youngsters I thought that I just had Mama coon to deal with. Turned out that I had more of a coon problem than I knew about. Count the coons in the video! I have them locked out of the dog food now, so hopefully they will move on to greener pastures. I know of at least 3 of my neighbors who leave cat food out at all times, which is probably what drew the coons in the first place. Let the coons go pester them. I wonder if they realize how many coons they are feeding in addition to every feral cat around.
Now I know why I couldn't catch these coons in my live trap, although I suspected as much. Look at the size of these guys! This video shows one trying to squeeze into the trap. Now the door is messed up and won't close. I put it away for now and will fool around with it later.
A short time ago a critter began to make nightly visits to my tool shed where I keep dog food and grain. The grain wasn't touched, but whatever it was had a real taste for dog food. Although I hadn't seen a coon around here in years, that is what I suspected the visitor to be. I keep the feed in metal garbage cans, but coons are pretty handy with their front paws and could get the lid off the can. I have a live trap that I have used several times to catch skunks, but I had my doubts about it being large enough for a coon. Imagine my surprise when I caught not 1, but 2 youngsters. The video is pretty much self explanatory.
Since catching and transplanting these guys, I have continued to set the trap every night. Mama coon still comes around every night, but the trap is obviously to small to catch her. I recently ordered a new trail cam to replace the one that was stolen awhile back. I'll try to get some still photos and video of big Mama before I cut off the food supply. I put a heavy concrete block on top of the lid of the dog food can, and that has her locked out. The only treats she is getting here now is the bait she is stealing from the trap. Once that is cut off I imagine she will quit coming around.
It's been a long time since I've posted anything here, so I suppose a little explanation is in order. It all started almost a year ago when I slipped on some ice last winter and messed my back up in a big way, which I have never fully recovered from. Since then I've had to make several changes. I can no longer walk very far which leaves hiking out of the picture. I've had to find a new home for my horse. I can no longer swing up into the saddle, let alone ride. Sis went to a good home where she will make some kids happy playing "baby sitter", and will be well cared for the rest of her life. I only have 1 dog now; my buddy and almost constant companion, big Bear. So that in a nut shell is where I stand right now.
I'm beginning to get back out for a little predator calling now and then, although I've had to make some changes there too. Since I can no longer walk far, I've had to adapt my calling procedure somewhat. Also some of my old "hotspots" have become so over grown with brush and small trees that they are no longer practical to use. I'm experimenting with calling directly from the pickup, or at least very close to it. The attached video illustrates that.
When I shot this, I was sitting on a camp stool right in front of the truck. Bear was in the cab of the truck on the seat, and he could see the foxes, which is why you can hear him bark. An electronic call was placed a few yards down the dirt road where I was parked. The foxes left several times, but I would change sounds on the caller (remotely) and they would come right back. I played with them for about 15 minutes, but they were so active that it was hard to get the camera on them. This short video is all I came away with.
