If the preserve was only a mile away, odds are good it is not new ground and the raccoon will be back in your neighborhood in a couple of days if not already. If I can't shoot them, I drop the trap in a body of water and drown them. There is no shortage of coons and "transplanting" them in a truly unfamiliar territory typically leads to their death due to traffic, predators, disease, elements, etc. drowning may seem cruel but it is no worse and often quicker than the other forms of death they will be exposed to.
Besides, you are merely taking your problem animal and dumping it on someone else's doorstep for them to deal with. Own up and deal with the problem rather than pass it off for others to deal with.
