# Racoons are just giant rats! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 28, 2023, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796 "2023-11-28T05:53:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/21 "2023-11-29T12:54:30Z")
Rocky Raccoon Checked into his room Only to find Gideon’s Bible Rocky had come equipped with a gun To shoot off the legs of his rival […] But Daniel was hot He drew first and shot And Rocky collapsed in the corner ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/22 "2023-11-29T14:25:19Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > I haven’t seen any here (in the DC metro) but we see tracks and hear them sometimes. I don’t know if that means there are fewer of them, or they are more shy. The closer they get to politicians, the more cautious trash pandas become, a good lesson for us all. Dan ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/23 "2023-11-29T15:21:35Z")
If raccoons are giant rats, what are deer? [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/DWeBWWS.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/OoKfwze) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/24 "2023-11-29T15:31:49Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > In most states you need a permit and cant use a pellet gun. The OPs state may be different. Cite? It’s legal to kill racoons that are damaging your property in every state where I’ve researched the rules. And it’s common to use pellet guns to dispatch small pests. I know a lot of farmers who use a live trap and then kill the animal at close range with a pellet gun. (By “know” i mean i read their posts on mailing lists or chat sites like this one. But it’s a fairly common way to deal with small agricultural pests.) As killing goes, it’s not especially inhumane. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/25 "2023-11-29T16:55:37Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > If raccoons are giant rats, what are deer? Unmilkable cows. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/26 "2023-11-29T17:08:51Z")
We trap and give the offending Raccoon to an old man who fattens them up. They live the life of Riley for a couple weeks. I’m not sure how they’re dispatched but they end up BBQ’d. I don’t know who consumes them, and I’m not asking. As long as they’re not here invading the burn barrel, the dog kennel feeders, the chicken feed and anything else they can eat. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/27 "2023-11-29T17:55:15Z")
Bolivian raccoon [![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/15152/production/_131845368_bolivia.jpg.webp) ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/15152/production/_131845368_bolivia.jpg.webp) [![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/A05E/production/_131845014_bolivia.jpg.webp) ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/A05E/production/_131845014_bolivia.jpg.webp) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/28 "2023-11-29T18:20:52Z")
That critter’s a coat-of-many-colors coatimundi; what do I win? How can Bolivian children fly Qatar Airways? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/29 "2023-11-29T18:28:33Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > As long as they’re not here invading the burn barrel, I got a new burn barrel for Thanksgiving! [![](https://i.imgur.com/GPvWbfr.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/GPvWbfr.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/30 "2023-11-29T18:59:24Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > How can Bolivian children fly Qatar Airways? With sponsoring from the FC Barcelona, it seems. Would not be surprised if the back read “10 Messi”. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > That critter’s a ~~coat-of-many-colors~~ coatimundi; what do I win? Many colors is good mnemonic, but the real meaning is > The name “coatimundi” comes from the Tupian languages of Brazil, where it means “lone coati”. If you can’t remember the “mundi” part, _coatí_ is enough to designate the beast. You win a racoon and a Notlob City Council. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/31 "2023-11-29T19:03:50Z")
> [@solost](#): > > in all the years of camping we had a couple close calls with nearby bears but never had a bear rifle through our campsite. Guess what critter we did get harassed by constantly and unrelentingly? We took our Explorer Post camping in Yosemite and gave them all the food lectures, and who left their day pack on the picnic bench overnight? Woke up next morning to find it in the mud on the ground with all the zipper pockets zipped open and covered in muddy raccoon paw prints. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/32 "2023-11-29T20:30:42Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Cite? > > It’s legal to kill racoons that are damaging your property in every state where I’ve researched the rules. Not in CA. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Not in CA, in fact you need a license, and you cant hunt in suburban areas, etc. > > In Texas, it appears you can. > > In Fla, you need a permit and it must be done humanely. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I know a lot of farmers who use a live trap and then kill the animal at close range with a pellet gun. Ah, but that means you can get a few feet away and be sure of a kill. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/33 "2023-11-29T20:33:02Z")
You said it’s illegal in “most states” to hunt raccoons or kill them with a pellet gun. Did you mean to say it’s just illegal in California? ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/34 "2023-11-29T20:47:15Z")
I got a new burn barrel for Thanksgiving! Baste that turkey one more time, it is almost done. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/35 "2023-11-29T20:48:25Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > You said it’s illegal in “most states” to hunt raccoons or kill them with a pellet gun. Did you mean to say it’s just illegal in California? I looked up the three largest states- CA- illegal Fla= Illegal Texas- okay. NY- okay for powerful airguns, but you need a permit. Penn- illegal Ill- illegal. Ohio- pellet gun okay, with special permit. Georgia- in certain areas only. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/36 "2023-11-29T20:55:30Z")
In most and game and fish literature (🤔) a _varmint_ or nuisance animal of the rodent varieties are always legal to kill. Shooting guns of any type are illegal and frowned upon in cities, townships and urban housing areas. Especially by 10yo boys with no proper training or proof of hunter education courses. I would never let my kid out with an air rifle to take pot shots. Not wise. If you have a serious raccoon problem there are better ways. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/37 "2023-11-29T21:01:05Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > If you have a serious raccoon problem there are better ways. True. Get a pro. or In CA, get a live trap permit, and move the animals- sadly, this usually results in death for them. Or fencing, deterrents, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/38 "2023-11-29T21:18:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not in CA, in fact you need a license, and you cant hunt in suburban areas, etc. > > In Texas, it appears you can. > > In Fla, you need a permit and it must be done humanely. > > > [@kayaker](#): > > > > Not true for most states. I trap and relocate the raccoons in our barn with permission of the state game commission and the department of agriculture. > > See, you have a permit. > > In most states you need a permit and cant use a pellet gun. The OPs state may be different. This post is mostly incorrect. Some states have hunting seasons even for crows, and perhaps for racoons. But gun use laws are usually set by towns, cities, and other municipalities. Regarding the discharge of firearms, some of these rules may apply to air guns but most do not. In the rural areas outside of these local town laws, gun use is not restricted, even in California. Air guns are not even considered firearms in California. I realize that the SDMB is mostly urban-centric. I have my own shooting range right in my backyard. All that is required is an good back stop, and it has been checked out by the county sheriffs. If I were to report myself to the county sheriffs that I had just shot a racoon they would likely just laugh at me and tell me to dipose of it. > Note that air rifles are not considered “firearms” in California. Pre-charged pneumatics (PCP) big-bore air rifles use compressed air as a propellant to fire pellets. [California Outdoors Q&A | air rifles](https://wildlife.ca.gov/language/en%20US/COQA/tag/air-rifles#gsc.tab=0) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/39 "2023-11-29T21:30:35Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > This post is mostly incorrect. Well, I actually checked. > [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > If I were to report myself to the county sheriffs that I had just shot a racoon they would likely just laugh at me and tell me to dipose of it. Yeah, that is true about a lot of laws. Does that mean that act is legal? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796/40 "2023-11-29T21:35:57Z")
I get it. Rocky Raccoon is cute. The 1000s of YouTube videos are just so so precious. Raccoons are a serious offender of many crimes upon homeowners. Their property and gardens. Including the spread of rabies to pets. I have no love of the critters. If they stay clear of my stuff I’ll never bother them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racoons-are-just-giant-rats/993796.md?page=3)