It is often more practical to keep a raccoon away than it is to remove it. The best long-term way of coping with troublesome raccoons is to exclude them from areas where they are unwanted. Removing the attraction for nuisance raccoons, such as garbage, pet food, etc., and excluding them from attics, chimneys, and sheds should be among your first options. Removal of offending individual raccoons by trapping or shooting should be used only as a last resort.
In Montana, raccoons are classified as non-game and are unprotected, allowing them to be trapped or hunted at any time with no limits or seasons.
Raccoons can be caught and removed using traps. Your local Fish, Wildlife & Parks office or local animal control office may have a live trap they will loan to you. They can also refer you to persons who trap nuisance animals for a fee.
Raccoons are not pets! It is illegal to possess a raccoon. They can carry rabies and other diseases that are harmful to humans and pets.
Traps may be baited with fish-flavored cat food, sardines or chicken. To avoid catching the family cat use bait such as peanut butter on fruit or bread, vanilla extract on bread, or just fruit.
Traps may need to be covered with burlap or tight wire mesh to prevent raccoons from reaching through and stealing the bait. It is recommended that raccoons be transported at least 3 miles from the capture site.
