Scouting Beaver        Scouting Bobcat        Scouting Coyote        Scouting Fisher        Scouting Grey Fox

Scouting Mink        Scouting Muskrat        Scouting Opossum        Scouting Otter        Scouting Pine Marten

Scouting Raccoon        Scouting Red Fox        Scouting Skunk        Scouting Weasel

 

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Raccoon are heavy-bodied animals with relatively long legs, a pointed snout, and a moderately long, ringed tail. The coat has a grizzled or stippled appearance, with overall color ranging from gray to chocolate brown. The black mask and ringed tail with dark and light bands are distinctive. Raccoon reach lengths of more than 41 “with a tail about 12" long. They may weigh in excess of 33 pounds. The band guard hairs mix with silky under fur, which ranges from pale tan to chocolate brown. Raccoon tracks resemble tiny human hand and foot prints, with the relatively long toes visible in soft surfaces. Although their scats are quite variable, the accumulations of corn, berry seeds, or pits are distinctive mate in February and March upon emerging from winter den sites. The young are born in April or May after a 63-day gestation period. Litters of about 2 to 7 are common with 4 being average. Raccoon have one litter per year. The young remain with the, female until the fall.

Raccoon den in hollow trees, logs, rocky ledges, and even in burrows made by other animals. Den trees can be recognized readily by smoothed bark, scratches, hair, and possible scats. A wise trapper will not disturb dens, since they are often used year after year by the coons in that area. Caution should be used in setting traps near dens during the hunting season since coon dogs may go to such sites.

Habitat

Being highly adaptable animals, raccoon are found over most of North America. They are often found along wooded streams, lake shores, marshes, and swamps. They also live in upland areas where their favorite foods are found. Raccoon are well adapted to farm buildings or human dwellings, and populations within towns and suburban areas can be surprisingly high.

Habits

Raccoon eat almost anything that is available. They are efficient predators, feeding upon nestling birds, eggs, fish, frogs, crayfish, mussels and insects. During the late summer and fall their diet contains large amounts of fruits and grain. Black cherries, apples, grapes, beechnuts, and acorns attract them to higher elevations.

Although raccoon are good swimmers, they confine most of their activities to the banks and shallow water sections of lakes and streams. They will detour into water to avoid obstructions, and they use crossing logs when they are available. Raccoon are natural explorers with curiosity that can be used to a trapper's advantage.

Although raccoon become inactive during the winter, they are active during warm spells and thaws. At times good catches can be taken throughout the winter during these activity periods.

Disease

Raccoon are host to distemper and dermatophilus as well as rabies. Contact with raccoon found dead or dying without apparent cause should be avoided. Since demmatophilus can infect humans, trappers should wear rubber gloves when handling any coon that has flaky skin or patches of missing fur. The same precautions described for skunk should be followed.

Trapping Tactics

Raccoon pelts are best from about mid-November to January. Depending upon the weather, high quality fur may be taken as late as February or early March. Raccoon fur is quite prone to rubbing damage, singing or springiness later in the season, and will be worth much less.

Many raccoons are taken in dirthole or spring-hole sets for foxes. Cubby, obstruction and blind sets where they enter or leave the water are all good raccoon takers. Sets in spring runs or irrigation ditches often are productive. Raccoon also may be caught in leaning pole sets.

Since raccoon are strong, with rather slender legs and feet, a size 1 1/2 is used. Medium sized body-gripping traps are good for raccoon, but they must be used very carefully to avoid catching free-ranging domestic animals. Large box traps can be quite good in taking raccoon. Some trappers prefer to use longer trap chains with drags. However, if drags are used, they should be of sufficient see (4' long and 3" across) and of hardwood because of the tendency of these animals to chew at the drag.

 

Baits and Lures

Raccoon are attracted to a wide variety of lures. Sweet-smelling lures such as oil of anise and foul smelling lures like fish oil are both attractive. Raccoon gland lures may be very attractive to hunting dogs, so they should be used very carefully. Other baits and lures may be more selective.

Fresh or rotten flesh, honey, fish, apples, singed (burned) com, and mussels are all good raccoon baits.