THE RACCOON:
(Latin name; Procyon lotor)

Recognized by its striped face and ringed tail, the racoon has invaded almost every habitat and is commonly found even in towns and cities. The racoon is curious, clever, and solitary and deceptively cuddly-looking. It owes its success to its ability to live in a wide variety of habitats and survive on a flexible diet.

 

HABITS The racoon leads a largely solitary life. It is temperamental and will often fight with its own family members as well as with others racoons. Although most racoons live in the wild, close contact with humans does not bother them. They often nest in empty buildings, garages, sheds, and even the attics of houses. Since racoons are nocturnal animals, they are most active at night. Racoons do not hibernate in the winter, but those that live further north, where it is colder, grow thick coats to keep them warm and spend long periods sleeping. BREEDING

 

While the male racoon mates with different females, the female will mate with only one male, avoiding all others that season. Mating usually takes place in the winter months, but may continue until June. About 9 weeks after mating, the young are born in a nest of leaves made by the female in a hollow tree or log. They are blind for their first 3 weeks, but grow quickly.

 

The female cares for them exclusively, teaching them to hunt and to climb trees. With such predators as bobcats and cougars, this is a dangerous time for the young kits. Although some families break up in the fall, the young normally stay with their mother through the first winter, after which they gradually leave. The young females begin to breed when they are a year old; males generally begin at the age of two.

 

FOOD & HUNTING

The racoon normally feeds along waterways and lakes. It hunts as it swims; looking for fish, crayfish, frogs, turtles, and turtle eggs. The racoon will catch mice and muskrats along the banks of streams and rivers and will also search the woodlands for insects, nuts, fruits, young birds and bird eggs. In some areas, the racoon is considered a pest. It raids poultry and wildfowl breeding sites and it eats corn and other crops. In more populated areas, a racoon will frequently knock over trash cans while scavenging for food, using its hands as well as monkeys do.

RACOON & MAN

Racoons have long been hunted and trapped for their fur. In the United States, "coonskins" were once so prized that they were used as currency. They have also been killed because of the damage they do to crops and poultry, their overall number has not declined. Because of its fur, the racoon has been introduced into other countries, notably Europe and Russia.

KEY FACTS

 

SIZES

Head and body: 18-30 in.
Tail: 8-13 in.
Weight: Up to 46 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Males, 2 years. Females, 1 year.
Breeding season: Mainly winter.
Gestation: 60-73 days.
No. of young: 1-7, usually 3-4.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Mainly solitary.
Diet: Fruits, nuts, insects, reptiles, garbage, crops.
Lifespan: 10 or more years in wild. Longer in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

Related to pandas and coatimundis.
Two subgenera and seven species of racoon are currently recognized.

DID YOU KNOW? The racoon's Latin name, lotor, means "one who washes." The racoon has very nimble fingers that can twist handles and open doors. Racoon meat is good to eat and tastes like lamb. When the film about Davy Crockett was released in 1955, the title character wore a hat made from a racoon skin and tail, which started a fashion trend.

MORE..............................

Myself, and others, have been able to survive 'hard times' because of the raccoon - and I owe this fellow species the utmost of respect; whenever possible I must use my education, expertise, and compunction to help the raccoon remain as a 'sustainable' entity within the balance of nature. I want the raccoon to not only survive, but to thrive, and do well, so that future generations of raccoons, and people alike, will be able to share our continent together symbiotically. The raccoon is a precious re-newable natural resource, and a source of sustenance for many of us, lets all keep it that way! 
 

photo shows 'typical' coon bush, from the text below; not seen is the open ditch and culverts also in the vicinity
 
 
 

RULES OF THE ROAD! 

Firstly, I must address  a couple of items when dealing with the raccoon; Raccoon may be spelled with double 'r's or with a single 'r', both are correct. Most people, when talking of raccoon, will call them simply 'coon' or coons, which is also fine and dandy, and correct, although to call them coon(s) is slang - only a stuffy old english teacher would really find fault! 

Young coon are sometimes referred to as kittens, and sometimes as 'coon puppies' - personally I prefer coon puppies, being a 'dog person' as compared to a 'cat' liking person. Too, because of the Internet, and its global operation, I must mention that we will be dealing with raccoon, and later you'll hear me deal with the term 'coon dog(s). Apparently there is an animal called a 'raccoon dog' in Europe/Asia, but here I'm dealing with raccoon hunting dogs. 

As a special note, the raccoon dog is regarded by many as a 'nasty' critter in it's range. Most authorities feel it would be a scourge, and in incredible detriment to North America's eco system if the raccoon dog were to gain access to our continent. 

Photo, the author, his dog 'Shadow' and an afternoon's work - I made over $250.00 for my wanderings!
 
 

The raccoon's range is large, and fortunately for both people and coons alike, is expanding. Most of the US has a coon population, which while pushing ever north, is at present, only several hundred miles into southern Canada. Many farm folk regard the coon as a nuisance, and problem animal, as it can and does destroy much corn and other crops. This causes a dire need for people to be involved with population control of this fine denizen, but I must be quick to add that I'm talking about a 'sustainable' population, and control within a healthy and vibrant raccoon population - not annihilation, or even a drastic population reduction. This is one of those 'dicey' areas where we will have 'trade-offs', but the raccoon is a priceless commodity in regards to part of our 'wild' North American heritage, and in respect of the needs of agricultural pursuit! I believe the needs of both raccoon, and people are served well with the system of population control within that species, by both hunting and trapping, using modern-day humane techniques of capture and killing the coon, keeping the population in check and balanced. Hunting/trapping seasons, being regulated and honored, allow for great conservation of this re-newable, and valuable natural resource - 'Long Live The Raccoon'!

HUNTING/TRAPPING THE COON!

Photo: three fine 'prime' coon pelts taken in late November!

This fine furbearer, with phenomenally exquisite pelage (fur), has for the past 30+ years, been responsible for several thousand dollars annually to my family budget. 

Take a look at the picture above, it's typical coon hunting territory. Not seen is an open drainage ditch, just to the left of the photo. It has several large field drainage culverts also emptying into it nearby. 

The type of bush that I like to hunt will be of 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). If a corn field is nearby, all the better, and if their are tangles of wild grapes also in the vicinity - you'll be in luck! If you can find such locations, with streams, ponds etc., nearby - well - this is coon heaven, and you should do well in such locations. 
 

photo: use hyper velocity ammunition for coon shooting! Seen here are Federal's HYPER VELOCITY 22 slugs, some that were 'dug-out' of coons, to show that they 'mushroom' well!
(see 'field test 'section of this home page for  more detail)
 

Those wishing to prepare their pelts for sale would do well to harvest coons late in the season, and I rarely even begin to take coons before the first of November. Indications of markets tell us that the large and extra large coons will bring a good dollar, whereas the lighter early and small coon will be nearly valueless - take only coon that are prime. 

When hunting coons I like to use the HYPER velocity 22 ammo, and shoot them in the head, which causes an immediate and humane kill of the animal. This immediate kill is needed, so that the dead animal, in its death throws will 'kick' itself out of the tree. Of the several hundred raccoon I harvest each year, I'll only have possibly two 'hang-up' in a tree crotch. It is usually a simple matter to climb the tree to 'shake out' such a stuck animal. Never leave a coon to go to waste. If you are prepared to harvest a coon - also be prepared to do what's necessary to retrieve the animal once harvested - even if it means climbing a tree. 

I prefer to use a 'scoped' rifle, and use a semi auto-loader, offering quick shots. I want to kill the animal humanely, and quickly. The scope allows me to 'place' my shots, affording quick merciful harvest. 

If trapping coon, I use the 'killer' conibears only where I don't have many non target animals to contend with, and 'dog proof' them, so that I won't catch a neighbors or a hunting dog. I'll most often set my coon traps near water, and especially good are culverts and drainage tile exits/basins. 

Once an animal is dispatched, I like to skin it while still warm, a large coon can be a real 'bear' to skin if left until cold. They are much easier to skin immediately after harvest.. The best prices for coon are from those 'cased' skinned. 

Keep the coon meat for eating, or for market. Check with your hunting regulations, some places allow the sale of raccoon meat, and others don't. In all cases - trim off the fat, and discard. Coon meat, with a combination of venison and pork, can make excellent sausage, especially the 'pepperoni' sticks. It also adds volume, and you'll get a lot more of these 'wild snacks' when you use this combo. 

Always discard your eviscera (guts) including unwanted portions of meat, back into the wild. Don't discard near water of course, but do throw these unwanted portions in remote areas. City folk will squirm and whine if they happen along a pile of these guts - but too bad - if they don't like 'country things' they aught to be back in the city. 

photo; typical coon hunting equipment.

These discarded guts will be a real bonus for all other meat eating wild animals, and will be quickly consumed. I've seen some gut piles visited late in the winter, being dug up by fox, coyote, wolves and even raccoon, and often these guts will keep these wild critters from starvation, especially during an intense and harsh winter. Birds and other non predators will also eat these carcasses. IT WOULD BE A TOTAL WASTE TO SEND THESE SCRAPS TO A LANDFILL - don't do it!

The best bushes in which to hunt coon will have a river nearby, and will 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 coon - it won't happen, and you'll cripple and maim them - don't ever do this - ever - this is as bad a sin as shooting into a squirrel nest - never ever do either of these shameful practices.

photo: study these 'coon' tracks - look for them near water!

You will be able to easily tell if coon are using an area, especially near water. Coon tracks, in a 'coon'y' area 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'd imagine a 'person' baby to have. Look at the photo here, and you'll get a good idea. 

You may have to get back a foot or so from your computer for your eye to focus on the whole photo to get a good picture, if you are too close you'll miss the needed 'far view' to really see the tracks well. 
 
 

P