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Raccoon High Jinx

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Started 6 years ago by EchoFin
Latest reply from JoeVanGeaux

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whitecaps
Member

For races where I do not to carry a bucket with a gamma lid I put my food under the stern deck in a Dryshed bag and wedge my big gear bag to block the opening.

A scented dryer sheet thrown over the food bag helps mask the food smell or at least makes the boat smell sexier. I also have my spray skirt on with he tunnel rolled and pined by clothes pins. I carry wood ones on my rudder cables behind the sliders.

The dryer sheets are also nice to stick in the foot of a sleeping bag for us stinky feet people.

The crows will rip you off at Flamingo if you leave something small that catches thier fancy, food or other stuff.

toby

Posted 6 years ago #
CrazyRussian
Member

Petsmart sells dog food containers. they are just exellent for dry storage on a boat.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23730&catid=574

Posted 6 years ago #
Danito
Member

I also use the Toby method and has worked for me so far.

Danito

Posted 6 years ago #
whitecaps
Member

Just reread this entire post again. Now remember this has just worked for me so no beating me up at Largo if you get robbed.

Keith and I use the same water carry system. I always leave a water bladder on my front deck at night. Have yet had it breached. Black MSR dromedery bag. Put a black dromedery bag of water that no sunlight can shine through and a clear bag like a platty out in the yard and see what one grows green slime.

Run your tent zippers up at the top where coons can not reach them and they will tear a hole in your screen in some camp sites.

Give them access just do not have anything for them. I leave tents and backpacks with all the doors and pockets open a little so the little ones can check it out with out chewing a hole.

We train these beggars to rip us off. Do not feed. The tame gator at Rodgers River Chickee has gotten very big and aggeresive.

Rats, mice or what ever stay away from open beaches. Owles get the ones that venture out to far. ( I think there is a hint here.) Like I said this works for me may not for you.

toby



Posted 6 years ago #
Chekika
Member

I agree w/ Toby. If you have food in your tent that the raccoons or rats can smell, it is not going to matter where your zipper is. If your zippers are low, at least the raccoons may not tear a hole in your tent; rats are not so smart--they will simply chew a hole in your tent. It is best to have NO FOOD in your tent when camping in FL.

Hmmm..."green slime"...never thought about that. Grow your own food during the EC!

Keith

Posted 6 years ago #
Macatawa
Member

Ok, another question... Are the coons as much of a problem in the interior Everglades as on the beaches? We camped at Lostmans Five last year and had no issues with the critters... It seems that most of the stories I've heard have been on beach sites.

That being said, I think my current storage system of airtight boxes plus dry bags will be enough. Just in case I'm going to bring some webbing and buckles to add a third level of defense, and I also will be able to hang food if necessary.

What might be entertaining would be to hang some food and set up a night vision camera to record the overnight action :)

Posted 6 years ago #
whitecaps
Member

Ben I never had a problem on either side. On the inside sites gators are more prevalent, this cuts down on the hand washing critters.

You train my coons with hangs and I will train your bears! I am in both states a lot and the Manistee area has a few bears. This could be fun.

Tell Emily if she comes down her and the kids can hang with me at ck pt 2 not a problem. I will put her to work though.

toby

Posted 6 years ago #
Intrepid
Member

Has anyone tried mothballs in the hatches (or tent) to keep critters away? That's an odor that should cover the smell of food and, if your food container won't let odors in, taste won't be affected.

Posted 5 years ago #
BeastOarman
Member

There seem to be a lot of mixed reviews out there about mothballs to control vertebrate pests, ranging from it not really working to it being potentially lethal to humans and likely to be a carcinogen (according to NIH). I don't have any personal experience, but sounds risky breathing this pesticide in an enclosed space such as a tent. I would try those mint smelling garbage bags first ; )

Posted 5 years ago #
JoeVanGeaux
Member

I know for fact that moth balls can be effective against snakes ...and a portion of the human population, like myself, who find the odor contemptable... the others actually find it pleasant.

There are two basic formulations: one is essentially napthalene and the other is a "less toxic" paradichlorobenzene. There are some supposed tests to tell the difference but that wouldn't matter for me, since nature gave of the us sense of smell for practical reasons.

I have been battling racoons over the past week. They found a way to "extrude" 5 of my 18 chickens through a chain-link fence and "resourcefulness" is no understatement to describe them. (I hope the neighboorhood nazis don't find out I have chickens!)

Before our recent move I had to drill holes in the lid to our garbage can and tie it shut until they found they can eat through the rope (duh!). Had to replace it with some extra braided wire from one of my boats.

Has anyone tried using one of those electronic noise maker gizmos that supposed to work on cats, dogs and small children? If that works it would be great for me since I can't hear those things because of tinitus, anyway.

JoeVanGeaux

Posted 5 years ago #

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