RE: Raccoon problem.....
GMMAT has a buddy who will come up and blast 'em for ya. J/K
Get a havahart trap, and just start catching them one-by-one. They'll growl and hiss and raise a fuss, but you can throw them in the bed of the truck and take them somewhere far away and release them. Just don't stick your fingers inside the cage.
EDIT: Sorry Scot - missed the part about not wanting to live trap.