Can you hunt raccoons effectively without dogs?

Hunting at night, you MUST be accompanied by a dog licenced to hunt raccoons.

But there are methods during daylight hours, calling can work, particularly if you can locate and get close to a den tree... also, staking out apple orchards can net several coons at a stand... mostly right at last legal light.
 
hoytcanon said:
Hunting at night, you MUST be accompanied by a dog licenced to hunt raccoons.

But there are methods during daylight hours, calling can work, particularly if you can locate and get close to a den tree... also, staking out apple orchards can net several coons at a stand... mostly right at last legal light.
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Not sure what the law says here in NB about hounds. Wouldn't surprise me if it was the same.

Definitely apple orchards around here I could try. I was really hoping to figure out a way to get out hunting at night because sometimes, with kids, it's the only time of day I can go.

Thought about staking out some bait piles too. No shortage of apple mash around here if I want to haul it.
 
Been many years but what I remember is they use set trails (this was going to and from corn fields). Miserable little devils pull the stalk over nibble a couple of rows of kernels and then move on to the next plant. One night can damage a lot of potential return. We used to poison them (early 60's) but finally stopped because there was too much collateral damage to other wildlife. So they like a handy water source and a nice cornfield is always handy :) and finally their den. You find their network of trails and set up.
 
I was dumping apples in front of my trail cams earlier this fall. I got a few deer on camera, but mostly it was bears, and coons. Usually the coons were night visitors, but now and then they'd be there at dusk. It is possible, just not as effective as a full on night hunt with a dog.
one night with a dog can net dozens of coons if you're in the right area. I expect sitting over bait looking for them to show in the evening, would be an iffy proposition.
 
hoytcanon said:
Hunting at night, you MUST be accompanied by a dog licenced to hunt raccoons.

But there are methods during daylight hours, calling can work, particularly if you can locate and get close to a den tree... also, staking out apple orchards can net several coons at a stand... mostly right at last legal light.
Click to expand...

Does the dog have to be alive???
 
Just a guess here, but I strongly suspect if one was going to chase raccoons at night you will run yourself to death most likely, and never get off one safe shot, without the assistance of hounds.
The premise being, the dogs run fast enough and far enough to tree them. Then you show up with your rimfire rifle. My two bits only.
 
the rule says a licenced dog. There is no breed specifications, you can take your neighbours labradoodle mutt, only the licenced dog is mandatory, not a dog with hunting ability.
 
A tin of wet cat food with holes punched in it and wired to a stake works to bring them in.
P.s. The cheaper the better, made with fish meal, not the gourmet crap.
 
archer2u said:
A tin of wet cat food with holes punched in it and wired to a stake works to bring them in.
P.s. The cheaper the better, made with fish meal, not the gourmet crap.
Click to expand...

I used to use dog kibble with holes drilled through it. String them on some cord, tie to the trigger of the live trap.

Disposal at users discretion.
 
Lazy way of coon hunting and in the daytime no less.

Wait until you get a couple cold nights and the leaves are down or mostly anyway. Wait for a warm, sunny, less wind the better day and go for a walk through the bush and if along a food source all the better.
Look up young man. If you have a healthy coon population you will be surprised how many are sunning/napping in trees, on squirrel nests, on a warm afternoon ready for the taking.
Spent more than one afternoon carrying a bag of coon pelts to the truck that you thought twice about shooting about half way back.
Saw three, on the sunny side of the bush and after 3 days of rain, while walking the dogs this afternoon. All sleeping soundly enjoying the odd peek of sun today.
 
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