Crucial to the success of our program is implementing quality predator management techniques, Save the Hens Foundation trapping program targets raccoons and skunks. The use of live capture traps allows us to release non-target species. Farmsteads provide most of the habitat that raccoons depend on for survival. Trapping techniques used on these farmsteads must be accomplished in a way that is not threatening to all the inhabitants of the farmyard. Responsible predator control benefits both ducks and rural residents. Save the Hens Foundation trapping techniques are proven to be humane and publicly accepted. These are the methods that need to be administered throughout the Prairie Pothole Region.
Prevention and Control of Raccoon Damage
Raccoons can inflict significant damage to corn fields. A number of wildlife agencies reporting damage by raccoons increased from 10 percent in 1957 to 94 percent in 1987. Raccoons thrive in areas fragmented by agriculture where they reach their highest abundance because of increased foraging opportunities and efficiencies associated with the interspersion of agriculture and wetlands. 
The preceding is from Purdue University study ‘Corn and Soybean Crop Depredation by Wildlife’ . In the last decade raccoons have become an agricultural wildlife nuisance in Alberta, Canada. Raccoons thrive in close association with man, and their numbers are increasing in the urban fringes. This is particularly true in areas south of the Bow River and the South Saskatchewan river. As raccoons become more abundant in Alberta, problems of bird depredation, disease transmission, and agricultural damage will increase. Raccoons will attack poultry and are able to bring down birds as large as turkeys. They can pull down unsuspecting chickens by reaching through the mesh wire fence. Raccoons are also very adept at gaining access to weakened or open areas of a poultry pen. Signs of raccoon predation on poultry include: carcasses with missing heads, bites on the back, torn necks and breasts, and feeding on the breasts and entrails. The preceding publication was provided to Save the Hens
Foundation by the Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Raccoons are not native to most areas of the prairie. They are a problem agriculturally and for our nesting waterfowl. For Trail Cam Photos Click Here
Skunks
Abundant egg eater that is very easy to trap. The skunk is a nocturnal predator that transmits rabies. The method of Live trapping with wire mesh cage traps work.
Trapping
Raccoons can be successfully removed with a variety of traps. The most effective ways of capturing raccoons alive are with a wire mesh trap or an egg trap. The raccoon egg trap is a humane hand hold trap that is designed to take advantage of the raccoon’s inquisitive nature and agile front paws. Lures such as jam, syrup, 
marshmallows, or fish work well. The cage trap is very effective and also allows for capture of skunks. All traps must be checked at least once a day whether they are live capture or otherwise. Save the Hens Foundation Trapping techniques are proven to be humane and publicly accepted. These are the methods that need to be administered thru out the Prairie Pothole Region.
