Regardless of the pest, you are looking to control, you need to have the right gear for the job. That starts with knowing your game. Next, you need to know the environment. With that data, you can start to look at options for the right airgun for the job. Today we’ll be looking at raccoon pest control. These cute little tree dwellers are also real pests that tear up homes, trash your trash, and often carry diseases like rabies. Some folks may feel more comfortable calling a pest control service to clear them out, but for many of us, we want the experience and satisfaction of taking care of it ourselves. Let’s talk about some airguns that can get the job done.
Know your game
Raccoons fall into the “medium” game category. While they are small, they can be very tough, so it’s important to have an airgun that’s not only very accurate but also has the power to make a clean kill, especially if you are looking to use a vitals shot vs. a head shot.
Our suggestion is an airgun that produces at least twenty five foot pounds. Ideally, something that’s pushing thirty five foot pounds or greater is a better option. But, you don’t need to go crazy with the power, especially if you are pesting around your home, because you don’t want that pellet or slug to pass through and cause damage after it exits. This brings us to the next part of your necessary knowledge base, know your environment.
Know your environment
This next part really has two main options. You’re either looking to take out a pesty racoon at your trash can or other part of your suburban home or yard, or you’re going to be out in the woods hunting them in the wild. Let’s consider both.
If you are around your home, then that twenty five to thirty five foot pound target is going to be ideal. We’d suggest something in .25 caliber as it produces more damage on impact and will have less of a tendency to pass through your target. Also, your shots are going to be relatively close, so you don’t need to be thinking long range accuracy.
If you are out in the woods, then you have a lot more options. Not only will your shots be further out, but you will have less concern about pass through. Going with something more powerful and in a larger caliber may be the right choice. A .30 caliber PCP air rifle pushing over fifty or sixty foot pounds will certainly give you power, range, and accuracy well past 50 yards.
Gear to get the job done
Starting with options for urban pesting, a .25 caliber breakbarrel like the Hatsan 135 may be a perfect fit. It’s a breakbarrel that’s pushing over thirty foot pounds. The open sights are perfect for close range shots, and there’s a scope rail if you want to mount an optic or red dot for taking longer shots. PCPs like the .25 caliber JTS Airacuda or Airacuda Max are great entry level airguns that pack more than enough punch without breaking the bank.
Now for our pesting in the woods options. The .30 cal Gauntlet 2 immediately comes to mind. It’s an affordable .30 cal pushing over one hundred foot pounds that can put all that energy on target out to one hundred yards and beyond. The 4500 PSI regulated valve system provides a high shot count with excellent consistency, and the magazine supports not only larger pellets but also many .30 caliber airgun slugs. But it’s not the only airgun that can get the job done. Some other options could include airguns from FX, Air Arms, AirForce, RAW and really anything that pushes over our energy minimums mentioned above and maintains one inch accuracy out to your desired max range.
That’s a wrap
Raccoons fall into that “medium” pest category, but there are many other pests, varmints, and predators that you may need to deal with. Check out all our medium game hunting rifles and see which would suit your goals. Fortunately, our team is always here to help. Give us a call and let us know what pests you’re looking to deal with, and we’ll be more than happy to help you pull together the right gear for the job.
