Morning folks, new here.

I just moved out to my country place in Iowa County after retiring and the previous tenant abandoned one of her cats, among other junk. I've become quite fond of her since I live alone, but a few nights ago I heard a couple racoons fighting and need to eliminate them before they damage something or injure my cat. If I had a 10/22 on top of the pistol and tactical shotgun I own, I could have eliminated one of them I spotted that night in a tree 20 yards away.

It feels like I already know the answer, but is there a trap or bait that would only trap the racoon? I can't get the cat in a carrier, and I can't find any human food she likes. The only time she comes inside is to eat and sleep and lives to hunt birds, bugs, mice, snakes and ground squirrels, but she leaves the rabbit alone which might be another story.

Any suggestions for a trap? Or is getting the 10/22 and waiting for the next opportunity the best route?

Thanks!

I did not know there were Americans who did not own a 22 rimfire. Why not leave the cat inside a few days with a litter box till you catch the coons? If you have not felt the need for a 22 before now I would buy a cheapy at walmart.

Use a dog proof trap bait it with miniature marshmallows and a little syrup around the outer rim cats don’t like sweet stuff

I would load that shotgun with #4s or bigger and try to blast the coons with that. Or get a cage trap and bait it with marshmallows. The cat will probably leave it alone, and coons love marshmallows.

Cage trap as was said above.^^^

* If the cat gets in the cage...just let it go, no harm.

Dog proof

Lived in the country my whole life always with farm cats around and never had an issue with coons harming cats. Not saying there aren't other reasons to get rid of the coons but they aren't a threat to ur cat. Also have killed a lot of coons with a shotgun.

I’ve trapped with dog proofs around chicken coops for years baited with cat food and fish oil , barn cats everywhere I’ve caught 2 in the last 20 years where cats are everywhere. Marshmallows and dps should give you no problem

a 22lr rifle is always a good tool to have around sort of depends on what your area looks like , is shooting into a tree an issue with a 22lr , if not #4 buck will work in that shotgun to take out the coon as well. just has to be safe to shoot a 22 into the air , #4 buck is 22 balls in a shot shell

DPs are as well

cages work , you have to release the cat when it gets in and it will learn it doesn't like sitting in the trap all day and will avoid it. you can also bang on the trap some to futher educate them before releasing them.

hard to argue with a 3-5 gun combo
shotty , 22 rifle , personal defense pistol
shotty , 22 rifle , 22 pistol , center fire rifle , personal defense pistol

then it gets more specific from there when you get up past 4-5 things like a rifle for a particular type of hunting or a shotgun for a particular type of hunting or game.

Cats and coon co exist typically, have witnessed them eating side by side. They have their own way of tolerating each other.

You trap a few coon there well be others that will fill in over time. Just natures way. If there is habitat and an interest around there they will always be there.

DPs baited with miniature marshmallows. Coon love them, cats aren't interested in them.

We have outdoor cats, coons never bothered the adult cats but have mauled kittens before. My biggest issue with coons is they eat the cat food we keep in an outdoor feeder. Also, coon used to get after our chickens before we critter-proofed the outside run.

I usually either shoot them or trap them in cage traps.

Here is your answer to that issue. You should get a .22 at some time though.

I thought everyone had at least a half dozen.22’s

My brother in Washington had coons kill his kittens and young cats, sent him some DP's and he cleaned out the coons with marshmallows... Yeah new coons will move in, just rinse and repeat at first sign of new ones..

I usually remove 7-10 coons a year from my backyard, record was 20 something, used both DP's and a cage trap....cage is easier on several levels...only ever caught one cat in the cage and after rolling it around a little it never even looked at that cage again, lol

Cage trap will fix you up.
Local farm stores will have them.

And a .22. Or several .22s
I don't know how you got to be of retirement age without owning at least one .22 rifle.

You'll need that .22 for when you get a coon in the cage trap growling up at ya.

Welcome to the forum.

I have seen a lot more building damage than I have seen cat issues from coons , they will tear up a building bad in short time , climb up in walls ceilings tear the siding off and that stink is not easily gotten out

I would get rid of them based on that alone

they can live in hollow trees they don't need your buildings

Thanks for the welcome everyone.



But how accurate would my benelli nova tactical with 18" barrel be at 20 yards in the dark? I knew I couldn't hit it with my DW TCP with my readers on.

Sounds like I need a dog proof trap and a 22 mag. Because this coon was huge.

Lots of dead trees around my property that aren't even mine.

If anyone wants to provide links to suggestions, that would be great because I'm super busy with so much stuff I'm losing sleep.

Quit feeding the cats outside. If you don't you are inviting every stray cat as well as coon that finds it. Check your laws as most states don't allow live release of problem coon. Once caught you will seldom catch a cat in a cage trap again. Don't dump your problem critters on your neighbor.

Dogproof would be a last resort for me. Get a semi wild cat will bite scratch and claw you to where you look like Freddy Crooger came for a visit.