Re: I am going to have to kill something, but not certain what...
I use a live trap. If it's a possum, I take them a few miles away and drop them off. Possums are destructive but harmless. They do not carry rabies and aside from hissing a lot, are not aggressive.
Coons, skunks and foxes do carry rabies, so be careful if you catch one. Skunks are pretty friendly, so pay attention. I've had them come in the door looking for a handout. Coons may act friendly, but if they are aggressive, kill them. I shot a coon a few years back that was literally swearing at me as it approached. I put a 9mm through its chest and it just blinked at me. That was all the confirmation I needed. Just the other week, there was one in the road on one of my routes. Every time I rolled the window down to talk to someone, it would head for my car. It was confirmed rabid. Luckily, I have a PA on my siren, so I kept everyone away from the area until AC showed up.
Foxes are hard to judge. So many people are feeding them now, that many are out during the day. Stop and talk to them and they'll come right over.
Skunks are never out during the day, so if you see one, it's prolly rabid. Early morning or nighttime though, they're pretty friendly and contrary to popular belief will not spray you on a whim. I used to have an uncle who would talk to them as he was picking them up and shoving them into a gunny sack. He rarely got sprayed. Treat a skunk like a cat and you'll be okay.
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