Coon Hunting Info

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Raccoon Trapping

One of the most efficient ways for trapping a raccoon is to use the so-called raccoon lure which is a multiple fruit base with a strong cherry smell. The lure, unlike fish oil lures, will not attract cats which can sometimes tie-up your trap until they are released. For optimal results: place a small amount in the back of the trap and then place the trap in the path of the raccoon. The bait should be changed every 2 days in order to get the desired results. Other suggestions consist in using: fish, cat food, sardines, corn, chicken parts and entrails or fresh vegetables.

When it comes down to the placement of raccoon traps, these should be put as close to the den as possible where damage is occurring (for example in the corners of gardens, breaks in stone walls or along obvious animal trails). To get the optimum results set traps in a number of different locations. Due to the fact that these animals are most active during the night, traps just be checked every morning, preferably twice a day.

Traps should also be checked in order to spot and release non target animals. To make traps stable, a cement block should be placed on top of the trap because raccoons have been known to flip traps over attempting to acquire the food or the lure situated inside. If using a trap indoors, nailing it to the rafters or planking works well to stabilize it and prevent movement.

The type of bush that most hunters use to hunt is mixed, both coniferous (trees that keep green leaves all year, like pine trees) and deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves each autumn, like maple and oak trees). Also, if a corn field is nearby the hunting location, all the better, and if there are tangles of wild grapes also in the vicinity then that is one of the best places for hunting raccoons. If you can find such locations, with streams or ponds nearby, then your rate of success should be pretty high.

The best bushes in which hunters should do all the hunting must have a river nearby, and also these areas should have mature 'home trees' in them. Never destroy one of these 'den' trees, and never shoot into a den tree, hoping to 'scare-out' a raccoon - because these methods are not effective and you'll cripple them. Hunters will be able to easily tell if a raccoon is in the area especially near water: raccoon tracks will be everywhere. The front foot of the coon is smaller than the back foot and the front foot track has long 'finger-like' tracks. The back foot track is similar to what you would imagine a human baby to have.

Trapping and hunting are extensively used to manage the number of raccoons in a certain area. It is also possible to trap raccoons alive and transport them to remote areas with lower population densities. However, this practice may result in disease spread, particularly rabies.

Coon Trapping Video