Hey Barry, great logic -!! (smile!) I can buy it.
    At the food bowls right now are a mama and two kits, I knew they were
there because someone was coughing (I was afraid one was choking so ran
out! Like I could do a Heimlich maneuver on a raccoon-!)  All three look
healthy and happy.....it has been raining here in Florida for at least a
week so attendance has been spotty, they come out when its NOT raining.
Still have two midday visitors, I am positive I , strange large whitish
animal, have been trained by my masked friends to provide a mid day
snack.
                                  Ann

Last night Little Momma brought her four (at least) kits just about on
time.  LM and her mother Big Momma and Momma before them seem to heave a
family tradition of bringing their kits on Father's Day.

No LM's first babies were a joy to her.  She kept them close by and sang
(yes, a pretty little dity) to them constantly.  Well, last night it was
more like "I didn't really want to bring them, but they just wouldn't stay
at home."

While LM ate, one of the kits started climbing straight up the stuccon wall
of the house! At first I couldn't believe it.  I have ofter wondered how
raccoons nesting in fireplace chimneys ever climb out and this event
answered that question for good.  LM went over and looked at him once, shook
her head and came back to the food dish.  The baby still squeeking kept
climbing.....and then he fell (or maybe jumped).

Now there was a rose cone on its side that we have left up against the house
because Captain, one of our cats, likes to use it as his sleeping den.
Well, the raccoon fell on the rose cone and shattered it with a frightening
bang and breaking his fall.  LM went over to see that he was OK, climbed the
lilac to check on the others and came back to her food dish.  I could have
sworn she was once again shaking her head.

Damon

I would not feed the foxes.  If you do, then you'll encourage them to hang
around your property and your raccoon visitors will be terrified.
Also...I've seen videos of foxes that play with their prey without having
any intent on eating it.  Common sense tells me that the foxes may do the
same thing with the raccoons...although an adult raccoon is hard to "play"
with without taking chances.  But, a kit is very vulnerable.

If you've seen very few foxes around the area, I'd not worry too much.
Also...relocating any wild animal unless absolutely necessary is not a good
idea.  When relocated, they are often times challenged by those animals who
control the territory.  Furthermore, you may be taking a mother fox away
from it's young....especially at this time of year.


----- Original Message -----
From: <Bittemall@...>
To: <raccoonwatchers@onelist.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 1999 4:38 PM
Subject: [raccoonwatchers] Thanks for the replies!


> From: Bittemall@...
>
> Hi!  Thank you for replying!  How many are in this group?
>
> Damon - Yes, you did reply to my fox problem in another list.  Also, I
> believe you know Tom & Dixie -- the rehabbers I have been also
communicating
> with.  Thank you for the little story!  But, I just don't want any of my
> raccoons to be in danger -- I'm very protective of them!
>
> Ann - Wow and Bobcat!  They are beautiful animals, but I'm glad I haven't
> seen any -- I'd have to be put on nerve pills or something if I had those
> hanging around -- I worry too much about my raccoons I guess!  Did the
mama
> raccoon survive the dog attack?
>
> Barry - geesh you had a lot of questions.  I'll try to answer them:  Yes I
> put food out every night for the raccoons (I've been doing this for 3
years).
>  I have A LOT that come and visit me - at least 20!  I live in a
subdivision
> with neighbors on both sides of me - but there is no one behind me -- just
> woods.  I'm situated outside of the town limits so it's pretty much
> "country".  I have a chain link fence and trees right next to the fence
which
> makes it perfect for the raccoons!  So far these foxes haven't figured out
> how to actually come into my yard -- but I did see a fox in my yard 2
years
> ago and my husband just recently confessed that he saw one last year.
These
> foxes are hanging out in the path that the raccoons have made.  I have not
> seen them "hanging out" there before this.  ALL I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IS
> SHOULD I FEED THE FOXES OR NOT.  The rehabbers I've communicated with said
> that "a well-fed fox is less likely to attack a kit" .  I am trying to
find
> someone who will relocate the foxes - without killing them of course.  I'm
> not sure if I answered all you questions or not ... but thank you for your
> input!
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> What do lizards and rock music have in common?
> http://www.onelist.com
> They both have communities at ONElist.  Find yours today!
>

Just a quick note regarding Ann's message (it's after midnight and I've got
to get to bed so that I don't fall asleep slumped over the keyboard).  In an
urban environment where raccoons have had to interact with humans for many
years, we humans are actually part of their "nature".  It's not the same
environment as a raccoon would find in the "wild"....but that's what's
happening to all animals who are slowly having to adapt to living with
humans.  There are generations of raccoons who don't ever find out what it's
like to live anywhere where they are not surrounded by people.  Given this
assumption, it is a bit easier to justify feeding the raccoons. This is the
logic I use to justify what I like to do and that is feed our little
visitors.  This "logic" may not be valid if you live in the wilds somewhere
for you may indeed create an artificial food base.  But, here in a city,
humans are a natural part of the food source.

Having said the above, I still have some doubts about my logic...but, for
now, it's working for me <g>

Barry

----- Original Message -----
From: Frankie319 <Frankie319@...>
To: <raccoonwatchers@onelist.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 1999 9:23 PM
Subject: Re: [raccoonwatchers] I'm a new member!


> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Becky - I am going to take a different position....and it may not be a
> popular one. I believe in generally letting nature sort itself out. Yes,
> we have bobcats, and yes, they will eat kits, altho squirrels and
> bunnies are their first choices. But this is nature....I would not
> reccommend feeing the foxes. They are very resourceful natural hunters.
> Highly intelligent anf evolved. In general its nota great idea to tamper
> with natures way - yet - and this is a big yet - I do feed the raccoons
> and thats not natural. Thisis a dilemma, and I have wrestledwith it. I
> feed them because I enjoy watching them and feeling close to
> wildlife...yet I also know that myfeeding IS tampering with the natural
> flowofnature.I may be artificially inflating their population,with
> resultant morbidity. So call me selfish.....I guess I am. This might
> sound odd coming from the Moderaor of this group but it is my true and
> deepest feelings and I worry about it.....yet continue to feed the
> coons.....Then again I also feed squirrels, armadillos, bunnies.....and
> indirectly the bobcats.
>    The bobcat is not an animal to be feared. They weigh 25-50 lbs, are
> not aggressive towards humans; I have many photos of them in my back
> yard. Never once did I feel threatened. They just look at me, cooly, and
> keep on about their business which is catching squirrels...They are
> beautiful and wonderful and I cherish them too. I lov all wildife - with
> the exception of insects! Especially spiders...I dont even mind the
> snakes we have here in Florida.  Every animal has a purpose in natures
> scheme.
>      Sorry to run on so long.......If youd like to see my bobcat photo,
> letme know. I have one on line.
>                                   Ann
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ONElist members are using Shared Files in great ways!
> http://www.onelist.com
> Are you?  If not, see our homepage for details.
>

Becky - I am going to take a different position....and it may not be a
popular one. I believe in generally letting nature sort itself out. Yes,
we have bobcats, and yes, they will eat kits, altho squirrels and
bunnies are their first choices. But this is nature....I would not
reccommend feeing the foxes. They are very resourceful natural hunters.
Highly intelligent anf evolved. In general its nota great idea to tamper
with natures way - yet - and this is a big yet - I do feed the raccoons
and thats not natural. Thisis a dilemma, and I have wrestledwith it. I
feed them because I enjoy watching them and feeling close to
wildlife...yet I also know that myfeeding IS tampering with the natural
flowofnature.I may be artificially inflating their population,with
resultant morbidity. So call me selfish.....I guess I am. This might
sound odd coming from the Moderaor of this group but it is my true and
deepest feelings and I worry about it.....yet continue to feed the
coons.....Then again I also feed squirrels, armadillos, bunnies.....and
indirectly the bobcats.
    The bobcat is not an animal to be feared. They weigh 25-50 lbs, are
not aggressive towards humans; I have many photos of them in my back
yard. Never once did I feel threatened. They just look at me, cooly, and
keep on about their business which is catching squirrels...They are
beautiful and wonderful and I cherish them too. I lov all wildife - with
the exception of insects! Especially spiders...I dont even mind the
snakes we have here in Florida.  Every animal has a purpose in natures
scheme.
      Sorry to run on so long.......If youd like to see my bobcat photo,
letme know. I have one on line.
                                   Ann

Hi!  Thank you for replying!  How many are in this group?

Damon - Yes, you did reply to my fox problem in another list.  Also, I
believe you know Tom & Dixie -- the rehabbers I have been also communicating
with.  Thank you for the little story!  But, I just don't want any of my
raccoons to be in danger -- I'm very protective of them!

Ann - Wow and Bobcat!  They are beautiful animals, but I'm glad I haven't
seen any -- I'd have to be put on nerve pills or something if I had those
hanging around -- I worry too much about my raccoons I guess!  Did the mama
raccoon survive the dog attack?

Barry - geesh you had a lot of questions.  I'll try to answer them:  Yes I
put food out every night for the raccoons (I've been doing this for 3 years).
  I have A LOT that come and visit me - at least 20!  I live in a subdivision
with neighbors on both sides of me - but there is no one behind me -- just
woods.  I'm situated outside of the town limits so it's pretty much
"country".  I have a chain link fence and trees right next to the fence which
makes it perfect for the raccoons!  So far these foxes haven't figured out
how to actually come into my yard -- but I did see a fox in my yard 2 years
ago and my husband just recently confessed that he saw one last year.  These
foxes are hanging out in the path that the raccoons have made.  I have not
seen them "hanging out" there before this.  ALL I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IS
SHOULD I FEED THE FOXES OR NOT.  The rehabbers I've communicated with said
that "a well-fed fox is less likely to attack a kit" .  I am trying to find
someone who will relocate the foxes - without killing them of course.  I'm
not sure if I answered all you questions or not ... but thank you for your
input!

Becky...
     Welcome!  It sounds like you've found the right group.  It's a small
group at the moment, but it will grow.
     As to your fox issue...are you putting out food at night?  If so, then
the foxes are probably being drawn to your property by the food and, if
there are kits around, they are in danger.  It's too bad that we can't
create a "Noah's Ark" environment but Mother Nature doesn't work that way.
     Assuming you're not putting food out that will entice the foxes to your
area, it would help to know the following before an answer to your question
could be generated:  What kind of environment do you live in...i.e. do you
live in an isolated area?  Do you have neighbors that are close?  Are you in
the middle of a natural habitat for raccoons or other wild animals?  Have
the foxes been in that area in past years or is this just a recent
phenomena?  You can get most of the info from others who may live in the
area...or by contacting local Wildlife Centers, State Fish & Game or ???
Also...how many raccoons have you seen in your area?  The local individuals
and agencies that deal with wild life can help you get a feel for what is
"normal" and you can respond accordingly.
     So far, I've not had fox problems even though they are routinely
observed inland a few miles.  We do, however, have an occasional mountain
lion or bear...but they are infrequent visitors.  The biggest threat to
raccoons in our little forest is man.

Barry

----- Original Message -----
From: <Bittemall@...>
To: <raccoonwatchers@onelist.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 1999 7:16 PM
Subject: [raccoonwatchers] I'm a new member!


> From: Bittemall@...
>
> Hi!  Thank you for welcoming me to your group!  I live in South Carolina;
> moved here from upstate New York about 3 years ago.  That's when I saw my
> first raccoon!  So, me being the huge animal lover that I am -- started
> putting food out!  Well, you all must know how they spread the word -- now
I
> have a whole bunch that come every night!  (Maybe about 20+).  Last year
one
> particular female started coming early (she was nursing) and I managed to
get
> her to start trusting me and now I'm able to sit outside with her and feed
> her!  She has taken food - ever so carefully -- from my hand! She's my
> special one and I call her My Girl or Sweetie  (couldn't think of a name
at
> the time).  She did bring her babies by about 2 weeks ago -- she has 4
this
> year (3 last year).  Sometimes she wants to come in my house but I have 2
> indoor cats who would not like that one bit!
>
> I do, however, have a problem with some foxes hanging around now!  I'm not
> sure what to do!  I had a rehabber tell me that a well-fed fox is less
likely
> to attack a kit -- but I'm afraid he (they) won't ever leave!  Any
> suggestions?  My raccoon activity has slowed down tremendously in the last
> week or so, and I have not seen one of my other females -- or anymore
babies.
>
>
> I'm not sure how much more you all want to know about me -- I could go on
> FOREVER talking about the raccoons!  They bring me such joy watching
them --
> before we got the computer -- I'd sit in front of the door for HOURS
watching
> them --- I bought them a kiddy pool last month -- THEY LOVE IT!
>
> Peanut lady (Becky)
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Got an opinion?
> http://www.onelist.com
> Make it count!  Sign up for the ONElist Weekly Survey now.
>

Becky - you are on the right List for sure!
We are small but growing....I love my raccoons dearly.....I also am a
bobcat fan, and one recently moved back into my woods....I feel
tornbetween the coons and the bob....but in truth, nature will be nature
and I am not here to interfere...just watch - intrvene if its
appropriate. (Like the time a neighbors dog chased a mama and her kits
up a tree but not before injuring mama, who stood up to an 80 lb dog.) (
THIS ONE HAD ME IN TEARS!)
    I  live in south east Florida....am an RN by trade.
                                   Ann

Hi peanut lady, I'm glad you are on this list.

I believe I answered your fox question briefly on another list or news group,
but
here is one of the anecdotes about raccoons and foxes.  It is a story written to
me by another raccoon watcher some time ago.  Maybe it will give you some
comfort
with regard to your raccoons.

"The most extraordinary raccoon event we had here involved
fox couple and a mama raccoon with her brood.  The fox pair (that we called
Wilbur and Fanny. I don't know if you remember the Wilbur Mills -Fanny Fox
scandal) usually came to have bread slices earlier than the raccoons, but
this spring evening somebody's timing was off.  Fanny and Wilbur were in the
area of the raccoons' food trays and mama raccoon comes up the path out of
the woods with many little ones in tow. Everyone was staying close to
everyone else like a group of well-behaved kindergartners.  Mama confronted
the fox pair and all peace and order were gone.  The fox pair took off.  The
raccoon kids broke formation and started running in every direction.  That
was the first time I was really aware of the chirring.  It was almost dark at
this point and hard to see in the shadows of the shrubs, but we could hear.
With a great deal of, as you say, vocalization, mama managed to get the kids
all together on the trunk of a hickory tree that has a long limb quite high
up running out at right angles to the trunk.  It was only possible to see
that the bark of the tree looked like it was moving with little raccoon
bodies. They were up and down that tree trunk and out on that limb and back
and forth.  But she had called them back , gotten them together, and , though
I think they missed supper that night, they were back again as back yard
regulars for several weeks.  The fox pair came to the front after that for
their bread."


Bittemall@... wrote:

> From: Bittemall@...
>
> Hi!  Thank you for welcoming me to your group!  I live in South Carolina;
> moved here from upstate New York about 3 years ago.  That's when I saw my
> first raccoon!  So, me being the huge animal lover that I am -- started
> putting food out!  Well, you all must know how they spread the word -- now I
> have a whole bunch that come every night!  (Maybe about 20+).  Last year one
> particular female started coming early (she was nursing) and I managed to get
> her to start trusting me and now I'm able to sit outside with her and feed
> her!  She has taken food - ever so carefully -- from my hand! She's my
> special one and I call her My Girl or Sweetie  (couldn't think of a name at
> the time).  She did bring her babies by about 2 weeks ago -- she has 4 this
> year (3 last year).  Sometimes she wants to come in my house but I have 2
> indoor cats who would not like that one bit!
>
> I do, however, have a problem with some foxes hanging around now!  I'm not
> sure what to do!  I had a rehabber tell me that a well-fed fox is less likely
> to attack a kit -- but I'm afraid he (they) won't ever leave!  Any
> suggestions?  My raccoon activity has slowed down tremendously in the last
> week or so, and I have not seen one of my other females -- or anymore babies.
>
>
> I'm not sure how much more you all want to know about me -- I could go on
> FOREVER talking about the raccoons!  They bring me such joy watching them --
> before we got the computer -- I'd sit in front of the door for HOURS watching
> them --- I bought them a kiddy pool last month -- THEY LOVE IT!
>
> Peanut lady (Becky)
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Got an opinion?
> http://www.onelist.com
> Make it count!  Sign up for the ONElist Weekly Survey now.

Hi!  Thank you for welcoming me to your group!  I live in South Carolina;
moved here from upstate New York about 3 years ago.  That's when I saw my
first raccoon!  So, me being the huge animal lover that I am -- started
putting food out!  Well, you all must know how they spread the word -- now I
have a whole bunch that come every night!  (Maybe about 20+).  Last year one
particular female started coming early (she was nursing) and I managed to get
her to start trusting me and now I'm able to sit outside with her and feed
her!  She has taken food - ever so carefully -- from my hand! She's my
special one and I call her My Girl or Sweetie  (couldn't think of a name at
the time).  She did bring her babies by about 2 weeks ago -- she has 4 this
year (3 last year).  Sometimes she wants to come in my house but I have 2
indoor cats who would not like that one bit!

I do, however, have a problem with some foxes hanging around now!  I'm not
sure what to do!  I had a rehabber tell me that a well-fed fox is less likely
to attack a kit -- but I'm afraid he (they) won't ever leave!  Any
suggestions?  My raccoon activity has slowed down tremendously in the last
week or so, and I have not seen one of my other females -- or anymore babies.


I'm not sure how much more you all want to know about me -- I could go on
FOREVER talking about the raccoons!  They bring me such joy watching them --
before we got the computer -- I'd sit in front of the door for HOURS watching
them --- I bought them a kiddy pool last month -- THEY LOVE IT!

Peanut lady (Becky)

Hey guys, last night I heard scuffling outside, so quietly went out -
and a mama and two babies were at the food bowls...except one baby was
up on the roof in the gutter.....cute little fellas, not too big
yet.....I was so glad to see some babies, as they arent showingup in
public much now due to the bobcat moving back into our woods. These guys
looked healthy, happy and cute as the devil. Glad to see
them!!!!!!!!!!!!
      PS they chowed downa large bowl of purina too
                            Ann

I found this great birdseed mix which was meant for raccoons - its a mix
of sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts and some other large seed....man
they gobble it up....as do squirrels. Its a bit expensive,
so thats not the nightly feed food.....
                                Ann

Ann...
     I guess that will teach me to just look at the email address and make
assumptions from that <g>.  It sounds like things are getting better for you
in terms of the environment for your raccoons...and you even have a "convert
in the making".  I wish I could say the same about my neighbors.
     As for neighbors thinking your nuts, I passed that stage long ago :)  I
no longer worry about what people think.  I just finished visiting with the
raccoons up on the deck before I closed things down for the night and went
to bed (it's after 11:30 pm).  We have a motion sensor light on one end of
the deck and I suspect it will be going off and on for some time yet as the
raccoons are in "beg for treats mode" because of me.  Ah well...
     Take care, Ann

Barry

----- Original Message -----
From: Frankie319 <Frankie319@...>
To: <raccoonwatchers@onelist.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 1999 9:52 PM
Subject: Re: [raccoonwatchers] I'm on board...


> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Hey Barry - its me Ann...Frankie is just another addy name......
>    I dont put out enough food to feed the entire group.....its mainly a
> healthysnack and the possums eat too....funny to see then feeding side
> by side altho the possums always give way to the coons.
> I seldom give table scraps, tho I do buy day old bread and give that
> sometimes...nce ina b lue moon I will buy cheap cookies and put a few
> out. One night a well meaning neighbor gave me a huge cake. Well I am
> fat enough already, so I had a piece or twoo and put the whole thing
> outside...man they had a ball,greddylittle fingers digging in, licking
> the frosting, what a laugh! But thats the unusual.
>    My snowbird neighbor has left, so for now my coons are safe. I am
> planning to build a deck  with a privay fence along his side to screen
> our activities. The other neighboor thiks Im nuts but I have noticed
> shes putting out bread lately too........a secret raccoon fan in the
> making!
>                                      Ann
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> How has ONElist changed your life?
> Share your story with us at http://www.onelist.com
>

Hey Barry - its me Ann...Frankie is just another addy name......
    I dont put out enough food to feed the entire group.....its mainly a
healthysnack and the possums eat too....funny to see then feeding side
by side altho the possums always give way to the coons.
I seldom give table scraps, tho I do buy day old bread and give that
sometimes...nce ina b lue moon I will buy cheap cookies and put a few
out. One night a well meaning neighbor gave me a huge cake. Well I am
fat enough already, so I had a piece or twoo and put the whole thing
outside...man they had a ball,greddylittle fingers digging in, licking
the frosting, what a laugh! But thats the unusual.
    My snowbird neighbor has left, so for now my coons are safe. I am
planning to build a deck  with a privay fence along his side to screen
our activities. The other neighboor thiks Im nuts but I have noticed
shes putting out bread lately too........a secret raccoon fan in the
making!
                                      Ann

Frankie...
     Thank you for the compliment...however, any plans about writing a book
are down the road a bit <g>.
     As to feeding the raccoons table scraps, you'll find that they'll eat
most anything.  Keep in mind that raccoons are a bit like small children in
that they'll eat what they like first which is not always good for them.  We
give them "treats" i.e. things they really like...but only after they have
had their dinner down in the forest (dry dog food that is healthier for
them).  The other word of caution is to avoid making your furry friends too
comfortable with humans as that could lead to their death...depending on the
area in which you live.  And, if you put unlimited amounts of food out, your
raccoon population will grow.  While it's nice to have a lot of raccoons
around, there are down sides to establishing an "artificial population
base"....especially if you are their primary source of food and you decide
to move.  You also run the risk (and I speak from experience) that your
neighbors will see the increase in the population and, viewing raccoons as
pests, decide to trap and kill them.  By the way, if any of you are having
these kinds of problems, contact me directly by email and I can provide some
suggestions on how to deal with them.
     Our little guys (that were kits last year) are showing up on a regular
basis.  While we are missing many of them for a variety of reasons, we do
recognize a few and are enjoying their antics once again.  We were smart
this year and oiled our decks (twice) before the raccoons became active as
they can really mess up a deck quickly...and a well oiled deck helps fight
against staining.  It also helps avoid the possibility of contaminating wood
with any decease as dry wood easily soaks up anything.  We've added a few
more large pots filled with soil and growing plants...some of which will be
chewed on by the raccoons (but that's okay).  When the kits get really
active, we can expect them to be in the dirt inside the pots and throwing
dirt everywhere...but that's okay too.  One thing that we've had for some
time and has been injoyed by the raccoons is an outdoor fire pot with
removable chimney (I don't know what they are actually called but they are
sold everywhere in different sizes).  The raccoons love to curl up inside of
it when it's warm.  It's not unusual to find one (or even two or more if
they are kits) curled up inside in the afternoon.  I guess they feel safe on
our deck and it's cool inside the pot.  I'll get some photos this year and
scan them.

Regards to all....
Barry
----- Original Message -----
From: Frankie319 <Frankie319@...>
To: <raccoonwatchers@onelist.com>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 1999 9:32 PM
Subject: Re: [raccoonwatchers] I'm on board...


> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Hey Barry I am so glad you found us!!! Ithink your experiences and
> wisdom will be a great addition.....and youwrite so well. Ever
> considered a book???
>    As I type the juveniles are at the food bowl, theylove to knock the
> food out and then paw thru the grass for it, then dunk it in the water.
> Messy little punksters....
>     I feed them dog food, theyespecially seem to like the semimoist big
> chunk types.....rarely I feed them table scraps. I also put out bread,
> which they love except when they dunki it in the water.....well you can
> imagine the mess. I try to stay away from sugary stuff,,,,,,,,am I being
> silly? What do you guys thinnk?
>     Scuse typing, keyboard sticking tonight!
>                                  Ann
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Make your voice heard!
> http://www.onelist.com
> Sign up for the ONElist Weekly Survey.  Go to homepage for details.
>

Hey Barry I am so glad you found us!!! Ithink your experiences and
wisdom will be a great addition.....and youwrite so well. Ever
considered a book???
    As I type the juveniles are at the food bowl, theylove to knock the
food out and then paw thru the grass for it, then dunk it in the water.
Messy little punksters....
     I feed them dog food, theyespecially seem to like the semimoist big
chunk types.....rarely I feed them table scraps. I also put out bread,
which they love except when they dunki it in the water.....well you can
imagine the mess. I try to stay away from sugary stuff,,,,,,,,am I being
silly? What do you guys thinnk?
     Scuse typing, keyboard sticking tonight!
                                  Ann

Welcome.  Even though I learn a lot about raccoons from those who raise
them as live-in animals, I kind of think they are better off in the
wild.  Even so, it is hard not to think of them as the little people of
the night.  If raccoons inhabited Ireland, I could well believe they
were the basis of the leprichon stories.

Big Daddy, our alpha male, showed up tonight after a long absence.  In
fact I freared he might have met his end on a nearby highway.  There was
a large raccoon of his coloring squashed near the center line.  I didn't
stop (though I often do to see if they are anyone I know) because I
feared the worst.  But he came back tonight.

Still only three babies have shown up from the 8 (or so) lactating
females.  Two of the mothers are Little Momma and Dark Lady.  The rest,
we have not named. The mangy one with the small tail, a daughter of the
Dark Lady, I will call Food Stamp.  She was here begging at first light
this morning.  (She has now got the courage to take a cookie from my
hand.)

Damon



Barry wrote:

> I think this list was a great idea.  For those "raccoon watchers" out
> there who I have not yet been introduced to, here's some info about
> me:  I live in Eureka, CA in a small Redwood forest that is a natural
> habitat for a healthy raccoon population (when I can keep the trappers
> away from them).  We have a deck that overlooks the forest floor below
> us and we feed about a dozen or so raccoons.  Most of them come up
> onto the deck after dinner for a treat...which usually consists of
> high protein cat food which they love.  We've got a few great photos
> of some of our friends for anyone that wants one. Last summer, we had
> about sixty or seventy raccoons on our property and had a great time
> with them.  We have watched several generations grow up around us.  We
> have two cats that grew up with the local raccoons and are around them
> every day.  So far, there have been no problems as a result.  In fact,
> one of our cats routinely sits down by the raccoon feeders and waits
> for the arrival of his "friends" who begin showing up for dinner in
> the afternoon. My best regards to all fellow "racconwatchers"...Barry

I think this list was a great idea.  For those "raccoon watchers" out there who
I have not yet been introduced to, here's some info about me:  I live in Eureka,
CA in a small Redwood forest that is a natural habitat for a healthy raccoon
population (when I can keep the trappers away from them).  We have a deck that
overlooks the forest floor below us and we feed about a dozen or so raccoons. 
Most of them come up onto the deck after dinner for a treat...which usually
consists of high protein cat food which they love.  We've got a few great photos
of some of our friends for anyone that wants one.

Last summer, we had about sixty or seventy raccoons on our property and had a
great time with them.  We have watched several generations grow up around us. 
We have two cats that grew up with the local raccoons and are around them every
day.  So far, there have been no problems as a result.  In fact, one of our cats
routinely sits down by the raccoon feeders and waits for the arrival of his
"friends" who begin showing up for dinner in the afternoon.

My best regards to all fellow "racconwatchers"...
Barry

I usually associate poorly developed tails with poor condition.  Surely they
are getting enough to eat.  But several of them look mangey and have the
withered tail.  Usually those are only the males just after the breeding
season, and by this time they are pretty well filled out again, but this
year there is also one lactating female with the problem.
Damon

Frankie319 wrote:

> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Rat tailed???? How weird! Gentic oddity - or some kind of illness????
>     This year I have noticed my guys tails are redder (reddish brown)
> than before. Who knows why -! They all look healthy and certainly well
> fed.
>                                  Ann
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Looking for your kindred spirit?
> http://www.onelist.com
> Go to ONElist: where kindred spirits connect and stay connected.

Rat tailed???? How weird! Gentic oddity - or some kind of illness????
     This year I have noticed my guys tails are redder (reddish brown)
than before. Who knows why -! They all look healthy and certainly well
fed.
                                  Ann

I suspect the night time squables result because the males start arriving
for their hand outs.  This time of year the females (who tolerate each other
pretty well) roar like lions and charge like rhionosorouses at the poor
unsuspecting males.  Our cats also find the raccoons quite fascinating.

This year an unusual number of our raccoons are rat-tailed.  I wonder why.

Frankie319 wrote:

> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Thats great! My group waxes and wanes. Right now theres the midday
> group, they look older - and the night group, which I describeas
> delinquents....they are so messy and rackety  out there. A few days ago,
> at midday, an older fellow(or Ms Fella?) came up to my jeruselum cherry
> bush, which is directlyoutside my window - climbed up and ate a lot of
> cherries. I have mirrored window tint so I can see out but they cant see
> in (blocks heat). So I was literally inches away, watching this hungry
> guy rip the berries off andstuff them in his mouth. My cats found it
> quite fascinating too.
>                                      Ann
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Campaign 2000 is here!
> http://www.onelist.com
> Discuss your thoughts; get informed at ONElist.  See our homepage.

Thats great! My group waxes and wanes. Right now theres the midday
group, they look older - and the night group, which I describeas
delinquents....they are so messy and rackety  out there. A few days ago,
at midday, an older fellow(or Ms Fella?) came up to my jeruselum cherry
bush, which is directlyoutside my window - climbed up and ate a lot of
cherries. I have mirrored window tint so I can see out but they cant see
in (blocks heat). So I was literally inches away, watching this hungry
guy rip the berries off andstuff them in his mouth. My cats found it
quite fascinating too.
                                      Ann

I ate breakfast with Dark Lady this morning.  It was about 7:00 a.m. and the
sun was out (unlike the rainy dark days we've been having.)  She was waiting
when I got up.  She sat there with the bowl between her legs eating the dog
food and looking around.  Three mothers were here between 4 and 5 this pm.

We have from 7 to 9 lactating females visiting regularly.  (Wife counts 7.
I count 8, and suspect there is another that looks very much like the ones
already counted.)  About four years ago we had 9, the biggest crop I can
remember.  The last two years there were only two,  Little Momma and Dark
Lady.

Damon

Frankie319 wrote:

> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Hey Damon - I wrote that woman and I sure hope she does get signed up!
> She sounds like just our type.
>    As I write there are four large healthy coons at the ffeding bowl,
> there have been several arguments and scuffles, but that seems to be
> normal.......still seeing two out during the mid day, - a mystery butits
> like housecats, I believe they train YOU !!!!
>                                       Ann
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> With more than 20 million e-mails exchanged daily...
> http://www.onelist.com
> ...ONElist is home to the liveliest discussions on the Internet!

Hey Damon - I wrote that woman and I sure hope she does get signed up!
She sounds like just our type.
    As I write there are four large healthy coons at the ffeding bowl,
there have been several arguments and scuffles, but that seems to be
normal.......still seeing two out during the mid day, - a mystery butits
like housecats, I believe they train YOU !!!!
                                       Ann

All quiet on my front tonight - several young uns atthe bowl, including
two possums - they shy away from the coons but are pretty bold, really.
It was pouring rain today so didnt put food out a midday...sorry
guys!!!!I am a well trained human, and felt guilty.
                                        Ann

The wierd colored text did result from the images that were included in your
letter when I did a direct response and changed the yellow on white page I
was typing on to a black on gray page, etc.    Anyway

The raccoon who fell of the roof remided me of an incident several years
ago.  I was on our deck feeding and scratching the head of one of our
evening visitors when I heard a terrible uproar followed by the sound of a
breaking tree limb and a loud boong a sound that came from somewhere in
front of our house.

I went looking for the source and found a neighbor with a flash light doing
same.  "It sounded like children screaming," he said.  "Just raccoons in a
terratory argument," I told him.  Then we found the tree limb.  It had
broken loose and fallen some 40 or 50 feet.  the "boong" came from where the
raccoon had fallen on a down spout and bent it double.  The sheet metal
probably saved the raccoon from sure death, because neighbor's wife had seen
a dark shadow dash away from the disaster into the woods.

Some time later a male raccoon with his back leg sticking straight out
backwards started showing up on our deck.  I suspect this was the victim of
the great fall.

Damon

Frankie319 wrote:

> From: Frankie319@... (Frankie319)
>
> Damon
> Rather than annoy people I went ahead and removed the webtv html
> stuff.....how bring, old green! Oh well
>    I have had several near diasaters in the yard - the worst was the
> night a neighbors idiot dog got loose - a mom andfour babes wereout
> there...she appaently fought the dog off to give babes time to escape.
> She was halfway up a tree - inching p slowly, broke my heart but there
> was no obviousl injury...next morning all were gone and I still have no
> idea if any surivied.....Neighbor has agreed to keepthe stupid dog
> inside. Then another night a large coon fell off the roof - lucky its a
> one story! He seemed fine but e
> e
> embarassed.
>                                 Ann
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Looking for your kindred spirit?
> http://www.onelist.com
> Go to ONElist: where kindred spirits connect and stay connected.

Damon
Rather than annoy people I went ahead and removed the webtv html
stuff.....how bring, old green! Oh well
    I have had several near diasaters in the yard - the worst was the
night a neighbors idiot dog got loose - a mom andfour babes wereout
there...she appaently fought the dog off to give babes time to escape.
She was halfway up a tree - inching p slowly, broke my heart but there
was no obviousl injury...next morning all were gone and I still have no
idea if any surivied.....Neighbor has agreed to keepthe stupid dog
inside. Then another night a large coon fell off the roof - lucky its a
one story! He seemed fine but e
e
embarassed.
                                 Ann

Damon, your letters come to me as black on dark gray - is this something
to do with my being on webt??? I just sent my other lists a message that
if my graphics are a problem let me know and I will erase them asap/ It
does seem to cause a prblem for some people but not all.
    Last night, the two juveniledelinguents were at the food bowl - they
are young, silly and fuss with each other. Still having two to three
come out at midday, so I truly think they have trained ME!
                              Ann

The deck and the lilac tree are all wet tonight.  The mother (a new one
as yet unnamed) brought her two babies out for the evening.  She decided
to lead them up the lilac tree to the roof.  One of the babies, reaching
for the gutter, slipped and fell about 12 feet to the landscaping rocks
and landed with a thump.  He chirped a bit and she came back down to
look him over.  Must have been ok after all as he climbed back up the
tree and made it all the way to the roof this time.  He seemed just fine
when I looked at the family on the roof.  Hope he ok.
Damon

Hey Damon, I didnt recognize ou frm yur addy - glad to have you. I
imagine it will take a while for this List to take off, and I doubt it
will ever be as active as Racoon.
    My own group varies frm season to season. The young ones grow up, and
I expect great territorial battles are fought. But as each month goes, I
notice they trust me more.....now when I go outside they dont scatter
like crazy! Most just move back..... A bobcat has moved back into our
woods, and this has changed some of the raccoons habits....making them
more wary.
                                  Ann