It would be hard to claim they are a "nuisance" if the only reason they are there is due to your baiting them.
It's different from one trying to kill your chickens.
He is not 'baiting them' by virtue of having a feeder out for other species.
Raccoons are simply opportunistic feeders and have found the food source intended for other animals. No different than your chicken analogy.
If the Raccoons were raiding his corn crop, would you consider that 'baiting' them as well?
I run feeders on our ranch year 'round'. And while our intent is to supplement the food supply of the deer, it is understood that any number of other animals will take advantage of the feeders as well. And that is fine (up to a point).
We have to 'thin out' the raccoon population from time to time when they become so numerous as to become a pest or are 'depredating'.
They are very bad about climbing a feeder and spinning out corn night after night. They will empty a feeder in short order....as well as tear up your equipment.
We use Duke Dog proof traps first, once they get wise to that, I set up 100 yds. away with a .17 HMR and remove the rest. My preference is to use a Red LED light at the feeder (though I also have a rifle mounted light).
And Coons are NOT completely color blind, they are able to see into the green spectrum. But ultimately what matters is light 'intensity' and whether or not they can detect the 'source'.
That is why I use a light at the feeder (mounted as high up as I can get it). This works well for Feral Hogs too. I have found that most animals will walk under a light that is already on (even if they hesitate initially), but are often 'spooked' if suddenly 'lit up' by a light source.
