All You Need To Know About Coon Hunting

Coon hunting, often known as raccoon hunting, has been practiced for hundreds of years. The most effective strategies to coon hunting have evolved over time as new and more sophisticated technology has emerged.

Coon hunting with dogs is typically the most frequent technique of finding coons, but modern coon hunting lights have resulted in greater success by spotlighting coons at night. Some of the best coon searching lights are able to cast light beyond a dog’s ability to detect things, without even frightening the creatures. 

Introduction

Raccoons are hunted for their fur in the United States and Canada. Raccoon hunting is the practice of looking for and capturing or harvesting raccoons. Because raccoons are nocturnal animals, coon hunting is typically carried out at night. Coon hunting has been done for many years, dating back to the 1800s when hunters harvested coons for their pelts. The fur-bearing market crashed in the early 1990s as a result of animal rights protests. Since then, coon hunting has fallen out of favor, and varmints have grown at an accelerated rate. 

Raccoon Hunting

If you want to learn the fundamentals of coon hunting, you’ll discover that it’s a lot of fun and may even make money. Here are some important tips about coon hunting.

  1. The most essential thing to understand is what the law has to say about raccoon hunting. There are various state laws and regulations concerning raccoon hunting, depending on which state you reside in. You should look up what rules and restrictions apply to a certain state when it comes to coon hunting.
  2. Choose the best dog for the task. It’s critical that you get a breed that will serve you well. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder who can sell you a high-quality breed. Coonhounds are picky and have distinct characteristics.
  3. Dog training is the toughest part. The most critical aspect is to be a part of the training process. You may enlist the aid of an older and more experienced coonhound. Go hunting with the two dogs, and let the newer one learn by doing it yourself. A professional trainer might also help you out.
  4. Find the best place for hunting. Coons will be plentiful in a good site, and the best geographical position is critical. You may use the internet to locate excellent locations.
  5. Be well equipped when you go out hunting. Take any necessary tools, such as a flashlight, knife, rope, and warm clothes.
  6. Learn everything you can about the animals that you want to pursue before going out hunting. This is the key to successful hunting. Learn all you can about how raccoons act and what makes them unique. This will assist you in your hunt.

The Season For Coon Hunting

Coon Hunting
  • Spring: Raccoons are now hungry after a trying winter, and turkey eggs and crops provide nourishment for them. It’s an excellent method to scout for hunting as a result of this. To open hunting possibilities and locate food and nest sites without leaves on the tree, establish relationships with landowners.
  • Summer: In the summer, coons congregate near water sources and creek banks to consume aquatic food or cool off.
  • Autumn: Because raccoons will be fatter in the winter ahead, they’ll spend more time at night. As a result, follow Coons for food sources to discover coon as well.
  • Winter: The safest option for you is to give up if there is significant snow. Coons will move around somewhat as a result of the snow. Apart from that, be wary when trapping coons since it may be harmful to your dog’s health.

Rules And Regulations

The first thing to consider when hunting any sort of animal is to understand the regulations and constraints. Because different states have various regulations regarding coon hunting, discover what laws are applied in order to avoid fines. Before you go out looking for coons, contact your state’s Fish and Wildlife division to ensure that you have all of the necessary documentation.

Where You Can Hunt Coons?

Coons are commonly spotted in heavily wooded regions, and if there is a close water source, this is an advantage. Coons are generally scavengers who are on the lookout for their next meal. They tend to be common near their preferred food sources, such as fruits, plants, nuts, berries, rodents, insects, frogs, livestock troughs/feed bags, fish eggs, and so forth. Coons love fruit or nut trees and a nearby water source, so the ideal hunting location is in a wooded pasture with such trees. If you can find a location like this, there’s a good chance it’s crawling with raccoons, and your coon hunting trip will be successful.

Coon Hunting Gears

Carrying all of the necessary gear, such as a flashlight, knife, rope, or warm clothing, is the first and most important recommendation for any hunting excursion. Some equipment will make your coon hunting trip better. Please read on to see a list of essential coon hunting supplies.

  • Loaded .22 rifle: The same gun, but with a big objective scope. Even if it has an LED light mounted on it, which aids in looking high up in the tree branches for a target.
  • Boot waders: It is crucial that you dress the same way. It will get you through the muckiest parts of the woods and keep your feet dry across all bogs, streams, and brier patches.  
  • Night hunting lights: Do you want to walk through the forest at night? Light is always required. However, lighting technologies utilizing long-lasting, lightweight, rechargeable power sources with bulbs that last thousands of hours have taken the place of headlights. As a result, carrying a heavy and inconvenient flashlight has become obsolete.  
  • GPS tracking device: Today, you may use high-tech electronics rather than spending all day looking for a dog. Radio-frequency or GPS tracking collars can accomplish it. Some devices even let you know if your dog is walking or stopping, among other things.
  • Coon squalling call: The coon hunting becomes much easier when you use a specific caller called the coon squaller. Even if it’s fighting, the raspy sounds of a scuffle between a raccoon and another animal will cause it to look down, even force it to fall from a tree.  
  • Hunting knife and multi-tool: After harvesting an animal, a knife is necessary, but a great hunting multi-tool for emergency repairs is preferable. You will be in command of all events if you have one on your person and one in your vehicle.

Similar Articles