Raccoon Hunting - After the Shot?

[GooseSlammer]

Heading to chase snows next week in an area where there are lots of old farmhouses and plenty of raccoons.

I've never hunted one before, but I have been watching a few videos on calling them in and have the FoxPro loaded up and ready to go!

I just wanted to get some input on dealing with a raccoon after getting one:

1) I have read different things on raccoons having rabies. I will have my hunting dog in the truck with me (not hunting the coons or smelling it or anything). Just curious if there is much risk if there is a bit of blood that hits a tailgate or something and the dog were to lick it? Is that all that would be needed to transfer rabies to a dog? (Probably seems like a stupid question and I'll try to avoid it - just curious what anyone knows about it).

2) I once shot a nice red fox and found out quickly that they can be infested with fleas! Are fleas or any other bugs or critters common on raccoons? and if so, any tips to minimize issues in the truck? (Keeping in mind there will likely be a pile of snow geese in the back too!) I was thinking I would just put the coon in a separate cooler anyways. I don't want to negatively impact my snow geese or have any risks with that meat.

3) If I can call in a big one with a nice coat, I'm planning on getting a mount done. Would a coon stay in good shape in a cooler for a day (without being skinned) if there is plenty of ice, or would it be a hair slip risk like a bear hide?) I'm thinking the hide is much thinner than a bear so perhaps it would cool quicker?

4) Any taxidermist recommendations for a Raccoon? I was thinking of Mountain View.

5) Are the hides worth anything to anyone? I just want to get one nice one to mount, but apparently if you're in the right spot you can get several in one spot. Just curious if any of the fur guys would want a couple or if that's even allowed. Not sure about that part and haven't looked into it yet.

Thanks. Any hunting tips would be appreciated too.

[Donkey Slayer]

Hunted mAny coons when I was younger in the east in the day when a felt could be worth $125, back in 1970s. Their pelt would be close to being out of prime now. Hunting is either at night with a dog or daytime finding them when they are sleeping in their spot. Their spot bring hollow trees, hollow logs, attics, barns, etc.

[obsessed1]

Have had success with E-callers set up on old farmsteads. Fighting coon, fighting fox, fox pup distress, and good loud gravely/raspy rabbit distress has been good for me in the past. Set caller up in brush pile close to where you think the coons are( visual stimulation is good too ie decoy) set up with the wind in your favour and let her rip. Coons tend to be a bit territorial and they seem to respond to fights better than the dinner bell. They are also really curious. So a fight in their yard often brings them out for a look see

[pikeman06]

The hides are past prime and only worth 5 to 15 bux if stretched and dried proper. Which is alot of work as they are very greasy. Might wanna go get your trapping license and you'll have to take a trapping course if you haven't held on e previous. If they are on your own land you'll be fine. Probably more trouble than what it's worth. They are very nocturnal so ya gotta watch shooting after legal light as well. Good luck and have fun.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by pikeman06

The hides are past prime and only worth 5 to 15 bux if stretched and dried proper. Which is alot of work as they are very greasy. Might wanna go get your trapping license and you'll have to take a trapping course if you haven't held on e previous. If they are on your own land you'll be fine. Probably more trouble than what it's worth. They are very nocturnal so ya gotta watch shooting after legal light as well. Good luck and have fun.

They are considered a fur bearer in Alberta?

Grizz

[pikeman06]

You bet they are a fur bearer. You can shoot them on your own land but to sell the hides or ship to auction you will need a trapping license number to go with the fur.

[pikeman06]

If you see a raccoon out and about in the daylight it could very well be rabid, unless it's been disturbed by a dog or coyote or something but they usually climb a tree and stay up there until the danger has passed.

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by pikeman06

You bet they are a fur bearer. You can shoot them on your own land but to sell the hides or ship to auction you will need a trapping license number to go with the fur.

You can shoot and sell coyotes and beaver without a trappers license.
I would think racoon would be the same.

[cody j]

Bo Jackson was on the Meateater podcast, he said he likes to put raccoon in the smoker. I forget the holiday he said but it sounded like a traditional meal where he lived

[Battle Rat]

I would probably try cooking a coon.
On Meateater the show they ate a coyote.
I'd draw the line before that.

[pikeman06]

Yup sorry guys... my mistake...I did a check in my trapping regs. Raccoon doesn't have a trapping season as such. That makes them fair game. I swore there was a season for the buggers. My bad.

[TrapperMike]

In the states they cook them on the bar-b-que during the super bowl. Saw an article in fur-fish & game where trapper said he sells all he catches for this occasion.

[marky_mark]

I dont think things could ever be so bad that I would consider eating trash pandas.

This is the evolution of meateater
Start off ok
Get more into the cooking side of the hunting adventure because everyone else is focused on antlers. A way to be different and then your ok to shoot anything and appeal to the common guy.
Go with that plan for a few seasons
Ran out of good ideas for the show
Competition starts focusing on the cooking portion too
Need something new
Start cooking and eating coyotes, beavers etc
Next it will be seagulls and what the heck after
Its turned into the eating things part of Fear factor crossed with a mediocre hunting show

[Gilly]

Hides are long past prime now. Fleas aren’t usually an issue with them but they get mites bad when in den over the winter. Rubbed out necks and shoulders are bad right now. If u want em prime last week of November until about Xmas produce good hides. They are just as greasy as bear and need to be handled as such. Tube em out ASAP and flesh out that hide and get that tuff stuff off the neck and shoulders.

Gilly

[marky_mark]

Raccoon = trash panda = chicken of the dumpster
😉

[GooseSlammer]

Thanks guys. Looking forward to next week.

Snow geese and raccoons is a new combo hunt for me for sure.

If anything awesome happens I just may post a picture or 2...

[GooseSlammer]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Raccoon = trash panda = chicken of the dumpster
😉

This is hilarious!!!