Raccoon hunting

[buckmasterjr]

My dads buddies land has atleast 6 raccoons on it and i was wondering how i would go about shooting them. Is it possible to call them in during the day? What type of call should i be using ? would they come in close enough for a 22LR? I would love to shoot one to get mounted.

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[Redfrog]

Yep they respond to a distress call and yes they come close enough to shoot with a 22 lr.

[Red Bullets]

when calling... person could probably put out a good scent and sit cross wind to the scent 50-75 yards away. Even a feather hung on a thread a foot or two off the ground near the scent might be a good visual attractor too.

[Big Red 250]

Grain makes good bait.

[moosehunter3-0]

If you want one to get stuffed, a cage trap baited with sardines is probably your best bet. Them being mostly nocturnal makes hunting them a little more challenging.

[FreeLantz]

I had no idea there were racoons in Alberta! That would be a sweet mount.

[buckmasterjr]

Originally Posted by FreeLantz

I had no idea there were racoons in Alberta! That would be a sweet mount.

Something kept sneaking in my buddies shop and making a mess of everything, raccoons came to mind but they are rare this far north, set up trail cams in the summer and sure enough we got pics of them, and now get pics of them regularily. They must be reproducing because in the second pic it looks like a mother and 4 babies.

[FreeLantz]

Well I learned something today . Are they considered pests then? How far north are you?

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by moosehunter3-0

Them being mostly nocturnal makes hunting them a little more challenging.

x2.... in the states alot of varmint hunters use red lights attached to their scopes for night hunting racoons.




are those pics from the channel by the trees on the lower edge?

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by buckmasterjr

They must be reproducing because in the second pic it looks like a mother and 4 babies.

this would explain the tracks I seen near your last buck was taken I seen. Hopefully they dont produce like wildfire!!

Maybe there is a bunch out there.. do they not rob nests of eggs? Maybe the reason a lack of grouse in that area this season where as places I go west of Edmonton, you couldnt not help but shoot limits of grouse

[buckmasterjr]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

x2.... in the states alot of varmint hunters use red lights attached to their scopes for night hunting racoons.




are those pics from the channel by the trees on the lower edge?

We got pics of them everywhere, by the shop, on that lower edge, and that spot we skinned your buck

[buckmasterjr]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

this would explain the tracks I seen near your last buck was taken I seen. Hopefully they dont produce like wildfire!!

Theres tracks everywhere around there

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by buckmasterjr

We got pics of them everywhere, by the shop, on that lower edge, and that spot we skinned your buck

Weekend project! 20ga!! I have a bunch of canned fish that will bring them in lol

[buckmasterjr]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

Weekend project! 20ga!! I have a bunch of canned fish that will bring them in lol

After researching on where and what they nest in i think i know a spot where they might be living, perfect place to set up and call or bait them in. And close to the spot where we got most pics of them

[buckman]

I live on Fish Creek Park in Calgary.I have them in my yard regularly.

[Roughneck Country]

Originally Posted by moosehunter3-0

If you want one to get stuffed, a cage trap baited with sardines is probably your best bet. Them being mostly nocturnal makes hunting them a little more challenging.

x2

[H380]

If you've seen 6 , that is just the tip of the ice berg . Lots here in southern Alberta . We keep a box trap baited in the yard all summer and fall . Caught 18 a couple summers ago . I've tried calling but been unsuccessful , hope you get some and curb the population as they can make quite a mess .

[muzzy]

Do you need a trappers licence to hunt them?

[Erik]

Originally Posted by muzzy

Do you need a trappers licence to hunt them?

I don't believe so. They are an invasive species in AB.

Anyone have any experience running coons with hounds? Beagles would be a little small wouldn't they? These things can get kind vicious, right? I'd love to run coons.

[recce43]

Control

The Alberta Wildlife Act classifies the raccoon as a non-game mammal. Raccoons may be hunted without a licence using a gun or trap at any time of year. A hunter can be the landowner or occupant of the land or a person authorized by the owner or occupant to hunt on that land. Because raccoons are nocturnal animals, shooting is not a highly successful method of controlling them.

[ray284]

In Ontario you can hunt Racoons at night. You need a small game licence. You can use a hound if it"s licenced to hunt racoons. You can only hunt them with a .22

[buckmasterjr]

Well I tried calling them in yesterday and no luck but I found an area where they are very active (tons of tracks and poop everywhere). Next time I'm going to try calling them in at first or last light, maybe even try baiting them.

[elkdump]

Originally Posted by buckmasterjr

Well I tried calling them in yesterday and no luck but I found an area where they are very active (tons of tracks and poop everywhere). Next time I'm going to try calling them in at first or last light, maybe even try baiting them.

if you can make a call like a Crayfish or a Clam you will have more success !

[buckmasterjr]

Haven't shot any yet but here are some recent trail cam pics..

[Alberta Bigbore]

Nice! Find any sheds?

[buckmasterjr]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

Nice! Find any sheds?

No, haven't gotten pictures of whitetails there since January, its like they show up in September and leave early winter, lots of pics of mulies though

[winger7mm]

Probably a dumb question but...... I know rifles and such are firearms and cant be shot after the designated hours. But with coons being a non game species can a guy bow hunt them at night??

[BillyZee]

x2 ??

[buckmasterjr]

More recent pics, they are everywhere, went camping in this area last summer and heard them once it got dark.

[Hydro1]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Probably a dumb question but...... I know rifles and such are firearms and cant be shot after the designated hours. But with coons being a non game species can a guy bow hunt them at night??

Nope,
Dogs cant hunt them at night either.