And that thing in the top of the tree is . . .

[Prof Young]

Hunters:
So I'm squirrel hunting this morning when I see a "bulge" up in the top of a tree when a bunch of small branches come together. It's definitely not a squirrel nest and it's too regular in shape to be a hornet's nest. Closer inspection via the binoculars reveals . . . fur. It was a raccoon sleeping in the sun. Who knew raccoons had sun porches. I didn't know if raccoons were in season or what I'd do with a dead raccoon so I let him sleep. What do you do with a dead raccoon. Sell the fur? Eat it? What?

Live Well, Be Safe
Prof Young

[teeroux]

They are good eating, just de-gland and marinate using milk.

[farmerboy]

Bar B Que

[Gunplummer]

Yes, that is common practice for coons. They usually lay on a squirrel nest, but I have seen them lay over a thick branch on their stomach like they are dead.

[bird_dog]

That's one of the best ways to get them in the winter. Take a string of frigid days, and then suddenly the sun breaks out and the temps rise. Early to mid-afternoon you'll find them sunning high in the crotches of large trees, especially oaks.

Eat em. Tan the skin, makes a nice hanging. Or just observe and move on.

[BIGR]

Speaking of raccoons I have plenty of them. Recently had a bear, coon standoff at the feeder. Looks like they might just get along.

[ZeroJunk]

Leaving him alone works for me. I have eaten coon and wouldn't go to any trouble to eat any more.

[Wyoredman]

BIGR, BIG COON, or little bear! :D Cool pics

[BIGR]

Just a small bear cub, but mother bear came by one day.

[Shoes]

I think that geneticaly the racoons nearest relative is the bear. Maybe that explains the patients they display...

[langenc]

Ridding the area of coon will increase the quantity of ground nesting birds and mammals greatly.

Ditto cats.

[treg]

^ +1 ^

My local fur buyer is paying up to $15 for coons in the round.