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1. 

   Scareman
   Member

   This is a friendly reminder of a smart camping tip for folks arriving at Ft DeSoto for the first time, and for camping along the EC route amongst the RACCOONS...Be Raccoon Safe.

   Zippers Up...Keep your zippers on your tent at the highest point.  This prevents the very intelligent and dextrous raccoons from opening your tent zippers that are close to the ground.  

   Secure your food...Also do no leave food unattended around your campsite.  The raccoons will quickly gang-up on you and grab your food, open your containers to get food, and then revisit your site with more raccoon friends.

   I recently camped at Ft DeSoto when a neighboring camper group was visited by these raccoons and then began...well, it just did not turn out well and ended in the people causing vehicle damage to their own van while they tried to fight off the raccoons.

   Posted 2 years ago #
2. 

   bosab
   Member

   Dont forget the cats.    THey run with the racoons and do some recon for them.   If you see a cat and pay it some attention the raccoons are behind you stealing something off your table.   

   Posted 2 years ago #
3. 

   MrMako
   Member

   Keeping the zipper at the top is a good idea also, because if you leave any opening in the door stinging/biting things get in. Found a centipede in my tent on Cape Sable once. Just like the inmates in our penitentiaries, Racoons teach classes in latest lock picking techniques. Timing each other, even doing it blind folded. It is common to see a raccon looking over his shoulder while breaking into something. They are just showing off to the other raccons they could have done it blindfolded. Although raccoons are a nuisance, they are the coal miners canary for pythons lose on the island. I sleep better seeing racoons around.

   Posted 2 years ago #
4. 

   Chekika
   Member

   MrMako wrote:  Although raccoons are a nuisance, they are the coal miners canary for pythons lose on the island. I sleep better seeing racoons around.

   Yes, I like that. Raccoons used to be a huge nuisance.  Since pythons have invaded the Everglades (thanks to pet owners), raccoons presence has greatly diminished.

   Keith

   Posted 2 years ago #
5. 

   Deerfly
   Member

   kids sling shot and some bb's or wrist rocket and marbles if you want one for dinner... Either way they respond well to pain...

   Posted 2 years ago #
6. 

   BustedRudder
   Member

   Population is definately down. Not a single track on my kayak after camping at Panther (no mosquitoes either). Camped SW Pavillion, skinny small racoons, mosquitoes dusk and dawn.

   All the islands have been rearranged. Round key used to have a nice campable spot in the middle, now it's just a shredded mess.

   Posted 2 years ago #
7. 

   CaptJackOtter
   Member

   I'm looking forward to staying at sea or just off the islands this go round. I copied what the sit on top fisher people do with their anchors. Set it up on my tri and it works very nicely. No need to go ashore. No burmese, racoons, spiders, and fewer mosquitos. 

   Posted 2 years ago #

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