[Jeff Higgins]

That's hardly sporting, Wayne. And not much fun. Seriously though, in my case that would mean removing some neighbors. One of the many trappings of living in a formerly semi-rural area that has seen a great deal of encroachment on my formerly lonely lot. As woods come down and houses go up, the denizens of those woods start hiding in and about the houses. Not just rats, squirrels, possums and the like, either. We include racoons, coyotes, and very rarely even black bear and cougar on that list. Kinda give a whole new meaning to the "lost cat" signs on the telephone poles, but I digress.

Many of these new neighbors see no need to keep their place clean, pet food inside, and such. No matter how much the old hands try to explain the co-existance with suburban wildlife to them. That, and some pretty oak (yes we have some up here), walnut, and various fruit trees that we are not willing to take down that feed and harbor the less offensive critters.

I do simply keep poison in the house for the ones that make it inside. I won't put it outside, due to the many desireable species that populate our area. The pellet rifle provides some relief (more psychological) that can be targeted at the more invasive and annoying creatures. Until we can get all of the neighbors on board in cleaning up their wood piles, pet feeders, and other stuff, we are kind of stuck. Besides, it's rather good, plain ol' redneck fun. "Thar's another one. Here, hold mah beer..."