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• RaccoonsRaccoons are usually very docile and will notput up a fight when you approach them in a trap. Itmay be tempting to just open the rear door and waitfor the raccoon to exit and be on his way. Thedanger lies in their adroit paws, which act almostlike hands, and have very long claws. Raccoonsare a vector species for rabies, meaning they arecommon carriers of the disease, and if you get tooclose and are scratched, even lightly, you will beexposed to a possible infection. This could meaneither the animal has to be killed in order to test hisbrain for the presence of rabies or you have to undergo an expensive prophylactictreatment, or both. Same thing if you’re bitten. It’s far preferable to handle the situationcarefully and avoid these consequences.If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, skunk or other vectorspecies for rabies, always consult a medical doctor for treatment!If you’re working in an area with raccoons, you’ll need to plan ahead and have theright equipment – a broomstick, heavy blanket and Kevlar gloves.When a raccoon is in a trap, throw the blanket completely over the trap from a shortdistance away to help protect you from the raccoon’s claws. Then pull the blanket backfrom the very rear of the trap only, lift and remove the rear door and quickly move away.If you’re with someone, first pull the blanket back from the very front of the trap. Haveyour partner bend down and face the front door from a safe distance and distract theraccoon while you open the rear door. For added safety, wear a pair of Kevlar gloves.Elbow-length, bite-proof Kevlar gloves are the safest, but they are more expensive. Ifcost is an issue, get a pair of short, cut and puncture resistant Kevlar gloves. You canfind these products at BiteBuster (www.bitebuster.com) or search Amazon(www.amazon.com).If you need to transport the trap a shortdistance before releasing the raccoon, do not liftthe trap by the handles. At all times, you want toremain out of arm’s reach of the raccoon whomay be able to fit his paw or claws through thewire mesh of the trap. Instead, slide a broomstickor similar long object through the trap’s handles.Two people, one on each end of the broomstick,can then carry the trap. When you reach therelease spot, cover the trap with the blanket andFigure 9-5proceed. If you’re alone, consider using the “Trap89