The Growl: A Threat Assessment In A Tough Neighborhood

I live in a tough neighborhood. 

It was dusk when the trouble started; with a low growl from the neighbors out back.  It was quite clearly a threat; but by who? And at who? The growling built louder with every breath and was soon answered by a high-pitched scream. It almost sounded like an enraged child, so loud and piercing was the cry.  Thumping and crashing made it clear a fight had broken out, punctuated by screams and snarls.

If this was a slasher flick, I’d have set off in the growing dark to discover the source of the drama; but instead I just peered out the window, wondering who was going at it with such abandon.  More thumping and two dark shapes leapt from the shadows, streaking across the open space faster than I’d imagined they could run.  One was clearly fleeing madly; the other in hot pursuit.  They disappeared from sight down the hill.  

Growl? Screams!

Now the screams began again, a wailing cry with every breath, each lasting so long I wondered a pair of lungs could hold so much air. A minute passed, then two, and (as I judged I now had enough distance to outrun any trouble) I got some light and some self-protection in hand to see what was really going on.  Just as I opened my door to go out though, silence descended again. 

By morning, the only lingering reminder of the threat was a very small piece of a very fine quality fur coat, laying in my driveway.

Don’t believe all that ‘serenity of nature’ talk, folks; and don’t mess with raccoons.  They are some tough hombres.

Preppers are very alert to threats … but don’t go too far down that road

This story is quite true, and was rather eye opening. As with the time the raccoons decided to procreate on my front porch at 2 a.m., it had me concerned enough to make sure I had self-protection in hand.  However, in both cases it would have been a bad thing to start pointing the weapon at anything living, much less firing. Make sure you’re protected, but always, always be sure of a legitimate target that definitely needs to be shot before you point that weapon.

The incident also brings up the point that threat assessment is much more difficult when we’re outside of our normal habitats.  Which growl is an imminent threat and which is what passes for romance among raccoons?  Holding your peace until you really know, while having a plan of action ready to roll if necessary, is a good compromise.

Salty’s Note:

Would night vision have helped Spice determine the source of the growl fest? Possibly.

Is Gen 1 Night Vision Worth The Money For A Prepper?

Is it important to know the normal sounds of your neighborhood, whether bugging out or bugging in? Absolutely.

Know Your Place: Whether You Plan On Bugging In Or Bugging out