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

Prof Young · December 28, 2011, 11:05 PM

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 · December 28, 2011, 11:35 PM

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

farmerboy · December 29, 2011, 12:02 AM

Bar B Que

Gunplummer · December 29, 2011, 01:07 AM

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 · December 29, 2011, 08:08 AM

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 · December 29, 2011, 09:05 AM

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 · December 29, 2011, 09:35 AM

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

Wyoredman · December 29, 2011, 01:38 PM

BIGR, BIG COON, or little bear!

Cool pics

BIGR · December 29, 2011, 10:40 PM

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

Shoes · December 30, 2011, 04:58 PM

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

langenc · December 30, 2011, 07:42 PM

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

Ditto cats.

treg · December 31, 2011, 10:31 PM

^ +1 ^

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

December 28, 2011, 11:05 PM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,403	And that thing in the top of the tree is . . . 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

December 29, 2011, 01:38 PM	#8
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,350	BIGR, BIG COON, or little bear! Cool pics __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

December 30, 2011, 04:58 PM	#10
Shoes Member Join Date: May 25, 2010 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 82	I think that geneticaly the racoons nearest relative is the bear. Maybe that explains the patients they display... __________________ "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson

December 31, 2011, 10:31 PM	#12
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,102	^ +1 ^ My local fur buyer is paying up to $15 for coons in the round. __________________ .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

December 28, 2011, 11:35 PM	#2
teeroux Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Posts: 1,512	They are good eating, just de-gland and marinate using milk.

December 29, 2011, 12:02 AM	#3
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Bar B Que

December 29, 2011, 01:07 AM	#4
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	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.

December 29, 2011, 08:08 AM	#5
bird_dog Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Posts: 225	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.

December 29, 2011, 09:35 AM	#7
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	Leaving him alone works for me. I have eaten coon and wouldn't go to any trouble to eat any more.

December 29, 2011, 10:40 PM	#9
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	Just a small bear cub, but mother bear came by one day.

December 30, 2011, 07:42 PM	#11
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Ridding the area of coon will increase the quantity of ground nesting birds and mammals greatly. Ditto cats.