This is my first time on this particular forum and I must say I find it disgusting. Catch them and then drown them??? Seriously?? I hope you first take the time to remove all of their toenails so they suffer just a bit more. The poster who shoots them is much more kind (though it's never a good idea to have animals, meat-eating animal scat or by products in compost - the bacteria are not suitable).
Brenda, I have racoons and they have never bothered my hives. I have them on stands off the ground 2- 3 feet with rocks on the top. I've also had mouse guards, but have no problem even in summer when the guards are not on. Having them raised also keeps out skunks, possums, etc.
The racoons do sometimes come up and eat some of the birdseed, or cat food if it's still there, but that's all they bother. The cat doesn't mind them, either. I agree that the dropping of unwanted animals in country areas is despicable. Too bad those people can't be caught and dealt with appropriately. The same for those taking wild animals and dropping them in the city. Some people really need decent hobbies. Wild animals certainly do cause occasional problem, which are generally caused in actuality by humans. Too bad we can't drown those people also. :roll: The animals at least are just being animals and trying to get food to survive. I'm not crazy about coyotes, myself. However, I do fail to understand the venom on this thread. IF YOU HATE NATURE SO MUCH, WHY DO YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTRY????
By the way, some of you should concentrate less on illegal and cruel poisons and more on grammar and spelling lessons.
As for me, I'll go back to forums about beekeeping.