The .22lr can work well on small coons down south but up north where they get fat the .22lr is an expert’s gun. Populations of raccoons have exploded in recent years. Plus, a hunting posse at night with deer rifles draws law enforcement and it smells fishy. Experienced dog trainers note that the most difficult part is often not teaching the dog to hunt raccoons but teaching it to ignore other animals such as opossums, whitetail deer and rabbits, which are colloquially called "trash". If for no other reason, you can be certain all the members of the hunt will be coming in at the end of the hunt. [19] In 2002 the United Kennel Club (UKC), the largest registry for coonhounds, sanctioned over 6,000 such hunts across the United States. 1. Since the 1930s it has been specifically dedicated to burial of coonhounds. Dog Registrations . [20], The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is a cemetery located in Colbert County, Alabama. That’s a shame because populations of these little bandits are expanding while farmers and landowners are becoming tired of these bandits stealing turkey poults, deer fawns and agriculture. They are considered one of the best coonhounds in the world, Need to be kept in groups, prefer packs with strong leadership, Need to run them daily as they need a lot of exercise, One of the most skilled sniffers of all hounds, but can be difficult to train, Can live indoors and very good with kids and other dogs, Their build closely resembles the Redbone. Coon hunting is unique in that it requires a hunter to head out when the sun is sinking and you almost always need dogs. Coon hunting is a practice that started decades ago. Coon hunting or raccoon hunting is the practice of hunting raccoons, most often for their meat and fur. Coon hunting is one of the most popular sports in America today, it is quickly becoming more and more popular seemingly everyday. Raccoon hunting is unique in that a hunter’s success is largely tied to how well their dogs perform under pressure. Gold $$ Contributor . With the hustle and bustle of life's hectic schedule, there is a dying tradition in the south that only a small group of people are trying to keep alive. For a printable version, see the bottom of the page. Coon hunting gears. Clever and mischievous animals, the raccoons are hunt for their precious fur as well as for their delicious meat. Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a black person. Some game wardens won’t buy that you’re coon hunting if you’ve got a loaded .30-06 in the truck. In all USA, coon hunting is considered one of the most popular sports and this popularity is rising every day. It’s wise to look for them on sale at the end of season. Open - refers to the action of a dog barking on trail. Tagearplanet.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Jan 8, 2021 Carrying all the necessary equipment like a flashlight, knife, rope or warm clothes is the basic tip for any hunting trip. I know this is true, but after seeing a bunch at first light during turkey season I wondered if coon hunters would be successful hunting early mornings. It became popular almost immediately, launching Clower's career, and remained his best-known work,[38][39] in addition to bringing over $1 million in sales and ultimately becoming a platinum record for MCA Records. Training dogs can be a rough time for first timers and dogs bred specifically for coon hunting work best: Baying is when a raccoon has run up into a tree in an attempt to get away from the hounds chasing it. Coon hunting is unique in that it requires a hunter to head out when the sun is sinking and you almost always need dogs. When dogs strike and tree and a live coon is seen, both strike and tree points will be plus. However, opossums are criticized for being too easy to hunt and too greasy to be edible if killed, and are seldom hunted today. Coon hunting has been recorded in such books as Where the Red Fern Grows and popularized in stories and songs recorded by Jerry Clower, Jimmy Martin and others. Maine Coons are natural-born hunters and are particularly good mousers. Finding these nest trees is hard to do and very hard to tell if they’re active. The hunt takes all night and you and the other guys have a lot of time to talk, and maybe drink. Especially when hunting on other people’s land, you need to be an ambassador of the hunting culture to the world and that starts with being accountable for your dogs and everyone in your party. Either way it’s sure to get attention. This change in vocalization lets the hunter know when a raccoon is treed. They know the excitement of the chase and the satisfaction of a “treed” coon. Just remember to turn it off while you’re running around the field. In addition to the larger all-breed hunts, the UKC also holds a number of nite hunts each year that are breed-specific, meaning that they are limited to dogs of only one breed. Really simply, searching for Coons is terrific for both newbies as well as serious hunters, as raccoon can be a great means to practice your hunting abilities for the larger game. It was possible to catch ten raccoons per night in well-populated areas, with good dogs. There was plenty of light, and my newbie was ready for the shot, so I told him to fire. Finally, long barrels and heavy actions are hard to run with. Competition Pack $ 50.00 … It’s also the most dangerous part and the one most people get wrong. The way it’s done is to get about 30 or 50 yards from a brush pile, a blowdown or a suspected nest tree and let it rip. Forget what you have seen in the movies, these aren’t flashlights. [34], In 1961 Wilson Rawls published the novel Where the Red Fern Grows, the story of young coon hunter Billy Colman, who lives in the Oklahoma Ozark Mountains with his Redbone Coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann. Candy Corn Hunting Potions $ 25.00 Options. [8] While bodies of water don’t offer much for whitetails or hogs, raccoons have been known to eat crayfish, small fish and pondweeds . As early as the 18th century people used to hunt raccoons for pleasure, meat and the fur. This is a pivotal moment and the excitement is extremely high. A good small knife made specifically for skinning can be a great tool to have. If push comes to shove, take all the guns back to the truck and head out with your night eyes. JUDGES: A. British and European settlers in North America later adopted the practice. Please follow the paragraphs below to outline the list of coon hunting equipment. Even general predator calls can be pressed into service with a little bit of practice. New. [5] Of the six coonhound breeds, the hot-nosed Treeing Walker Coonhound is the most popular. Food like standing grain, fruit fields, orchards, clear cuts, swamps and thick cover offer food sources for raccoons. I would rather sit around the coal-burning heater at night with a good book and my dog, Rock, at my feet. Quick View . Is a great sport where dogs run the track of a coon through the fields and woods. These things are great. [16], Regardless of how they choose to travel, hunters typically wear a headlight in order to allow free use of both hands, though years ago flashlights or lanterns were more common. The Indianapolis Star noted in a 2014 article that while some coon hunters are "overalls-clad people from the backwoods", some earn six-figure salaries, and a top coonhound can cost as much as $40,000. [20] Hunting for the sport without killing the raccoon, which is equated to catch and release fishing,[17] or chasing raccoons from crop fields is legal year-round. [40], Country and bluegrass musician Jimmy Martin coon hunted as a hobby and wrote and recorded several songs about his coonhounds. Hunting raccoon = coon hunting. Nite hunt - competition hunts for coon that are held by kennel clubs. The September to February timeline seems to be average. The raccoon population subsequently expanded, to the point that they became recognized as a least-concern species. Keep in mind that I have only listed a few of the terms associated with coon hunting, there are many more that I haven't listed. It’s best to plan ahead, Don’t move after you get the first coon. Well you could try a coon hunting method called squalling. Please, be an ambassador for our sport. I have never heard of a woman going on one of these hunts (maybe they are to smart). Secondly, dogs must be able to find, chase and bay a coon for long enough for a kill shot. Assume every animal will gore you out until it’s skin is off! The coons sleep in the timber and sneak into the fields at night to fill their bellies and then have just a short walk back to their tree. Never, ever, assume the animal is dead after one shot. The raccoon hunting equipment used isn’t too important but different methods yield different results. [4], Coonhounds existed as a distinct type by the mid-to-late 1800s. Coonhound puppies typically start their hunting training at less than six months of age. Orion H30 Green or Red Premium Light Kit - Best Varmint Hunting Light. Sometimes before the dogs even cut a track you can spot the eyes of animals in open fields and along creek bottoms. [3] The breeds vary somewhat in size, though color is the largest obvious difference. ?Note: This page may contain content that is offensive or inappropriate for some readers. Make certain that your dogs are up to the hunt and well trained and you’ll have a great hunt regardless if you are successful or not. [24] The American Kennel Club and other kennel clubs also sanction coon hunting competitions. Dogs are an essential part of the raccoon hunt and their training can’t be over emphasized. [10] The hunt typically ends when the raccoon climbs a tree. All judges are selected by ACHA, the sponsor Club or Master … Coon Hunt Rules Read More » The lifeblood of our events is the spectacular animals that we love to train and follow. The .22WMR is perhaps the best round for raccoon hunting and a light weight youth model .22mag is an ideal coon gun. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [20] Most of the early coon dogs were actually Foxhounds imported from Europe[10] or mixed breeds with hound blood, but these dogs often had trouble finding raccoons when the latter climbed trees, and breeders began to specifically develop dogs for their treeing ability: the ability to follow the scent to the base of a tree and stay there until the hunter came. Look for a model that swivels down so you don’t blind your hunting party. This is calling raccoons out instead of catching them while they’re out of their protective nests and it can work like a charm. Many of the densest populations of raccoons are found in urban areas that are either closed to hunting or won’t take kindly to hearing dogs bay up a bear raccoon in their back yard. A field hunt during the night. The Coon Hunt. [30][8], While Native hunters did not rely on dogs, white hunters utilized them from Colonial times; George Washington is credited with owning some of the first coon hunting dogs, French hounds given to him by the Marquis de Lafayette. They are an American type of hunting dog developed for the hunting of raccoons, as well as feral pigs, wild boars, bobcats, cougars, and bears. Many dog trainers prefer hunting older dogs alongside a younger one, with the reasoning that they will set an example for the inexperienced dog. When looking for a call to go coon squalling, mouth blown calls can be just fine and picked up for just a few dollars. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, when many rural families lived in poverty, raccoons were hunted extensively and became relatively rare. By 1885 a raccoon pelt sold for approximately 25 cents, a fair price for the time. It doesn’t matter how loud a call is, you won’t kill anything if it’s dead and in the truck. Some hunters, when getting to the hard parts around bone, use utility blades that are replaceable. Headlamps win over a flashlight in the mouth and can be taken off if you need a handheld light. If you are an expert, consider a handgun. Search YouTube videos on calling and imitate the sounds you hear, then try different things while you’re in the field. Also try to use lights as little as possible, Decoys work great after raccoons get out of their nest, but they won’t get them out. The only real barriers to hunting is land access and a crack set of dogs that are up to the challenge of chasing these vermin. British and European settlers in North America later adopted the practice. [27] Some states, including Iowa, require a valid trapping or hunting license to train a coonhound to hunt. Being omnivorous they’ll eat just about anything but they congregate on high protein high carbohydrate foods. Coon hunting is one of the most popular sports in America today, it is swiftly coming to be a growing number of popular relatively day-to-day. Using lights at night is seen as probable cause for searching a truck for poaching. She treed a big coon right outside the cabin around midnight. Raccoon hunting was once commonplace but has since fallen out of vogue. The main reasons for this increasing awareness are: this a great hunting activity for both beginners and experienced hunters and the second reason is that many people hunt these animals for their fur. Was in hunting camp one night when another guy had his hound staying with us. [4], In the 1970s, the price of raccoon pelts rose again to a high of 25 to 30 dollars each, and some people made their entire income from coon hunting. Upon reaching the tree, the dog or dogs will stop baying and begin the "tree" bark, also referred to as the chop bark for its short, sharp sound. Racoon hunting. As always check your local regulations before you buy a set. Here are raccoon hunting tips for when you’ve bayed the animal: What’s a dog-less coon hunter to do when they’ve got cabin fever? Draw a line through any tree points. Large blades that work well for big game don’t lend themselves to the detail oriented work of skinning coons. Only one coon per tree can be counted. We had to go "hunt'n" in order to have any chance of getting back to sleep. All but the Plott Hound descend from the English Coonhound. Big groups of people, loud dogs and it all going down in pitch black dark doesn’t bode well for the public. As a shortened form of raccoon, the word coon is first recorded in the mid-1700s. For a coon hunting trip, some equipment will make your trip better. The D cell ones are heavy and expensive to run. I even give you some information about what to look out for when you’re buying tactical equipment. Coon Squallers; Stop Watches; Alpha 200i w/ TT15 Bundle $ 999.99 Options. For other uses, see. Hunters sold the pelts for needed money, and the meat provided protein. [25], While killing raccoons is legal during the hunting season, typically September to February,[26][a] some hunters merely tree the raccoon and then leave it unharmed. The major companies that offer the calls offer mix tapes of calling sequences for coons and I’ve found them to be very useful for hunting. The dogs will be barking and the coon squalling, so communication is key here, Be absolutely certain about what you’re shooting at, Don’t shoot until the raccoon has stopped moving and your shot, if missed or over penetrated, will go into the trunk of the tree. Centerfire rounds above the .204 Ruger aren’t a good idea to be shooting at night in the air with people surrounding you. Cell Phone Pouch $ 9.99 Options. Bluetick Hound. Two of his songs, "Pete, the Best Coon Dog in the State of Tennessee" and "Run Pete Run", which describe the exploits of a "half Black and Tan and half Walker" named Pete, became bluegrass hits. [1], After the young dog has mastered this, it is taken hunting, either by itself or with other dogs. You just might end up with a huge fine and record with the law if you don’t. [31] This market hunting largely died out by the late 1980s,[8] and it is estimated that during the fur boom trapping took more raccoons than hunting with dogs. The master controllers aren’t out of reach either. [28] Inadvertent hunting or running of deer by coonhounds is particularly problematic for hunters, as hunting deer with dogs is illegal in most states. Certain supplies and equipment will make a coon hunt even easier. [8] Some dogs have emitted as many as 150 chop barks per minute when on a tree. It’s also a great way to keep hunting year round. Some of the following could even be considered necessities for raccoon hunting.. As early as the 18th century people used to hunt raccoons for pleasure, meat and the fur. [11] The dog is thus said to be treeing, and the raccoon is considered treed. This is an item that really should be on every hunter’s dogs. [12][14][15] This method has led to a mule show competition called coon jumping. Quick View . Carrying a GPS to track you, your truck and your dogs is an affordable necessity for all serious coon hunters. Mouth operated calls made for general predator calling, specialized calls made for raccoons, or realistic recordings of animals paired with decoys can all be used. Here Are The Best Brightest Coon Hunting Lights On The Market. The human hunter may either follow the dog as it hunts, or remain in one place and only go after the dog once it has treed. Coon hunting is an incredibly admired practice, particularly in Northeast Missouri and it’s referred to hunting raccoons, a nocturnal mammal in the genus Procyon of the Procyonidae family. Very simply, hunting for Coons is great for both beginners and avid hunters, as raccoon can be a great way to practice your hunting skills for the larger game. It was made into a 1959 film starring Fabian Forte and Stuart Whitman, but while the book was successful the movie was a flop. Electronic hunting calls for predators that come with built in decoys are all the rage these days. This is a nice to have item, but with weapon mounted lights becoming so cheap these days it’s hard to pass them up. B. The dog or dogs are released at night in an area where raccoons are likely to be, such as a forest, crop field or swamp, and allowed to find a raccoon scent. The practice grew more popular in the 20th century and reached its peak in the mid 20th century when millions of racoons were killed each year. Many states have liberal bag limits and the raccoon hunting season is 365 days a year. Coon Hunting Supplies. [23] These are coon hunting supplies that I personally use or have used while coonhunting. May be a change in seasonal patterns though. Enter an Event Today! Selecting the Best Skinning Knife For Hunting, Stay Comfortable with the Best Turkey Vest, What’s the Best M4 Scope? [29], Raccoons were first hunted by Native Americans, who harvested the common animals both for meat and fur. Next on this list is the Bluetick hound which is originally from the southern United … Coon hunting, a racist expression referring to seeking to recapture escaped slaves or searching for African-Americans to victimise or assault Coon song, a genre of music that presented a stereotyped image of black people Coonass or Coon-ass, an epithet used in reference to a person of Cajun ethnicity Source(s): 2 year coon hunter 3 year coon live trapper own a coonhound live to hunt and hunt to live Rechargeable models with AC plug ins for the truck should be the only ones you buy. [27], As with all game animals in the United States, the hunting of raccoons is regulated by wildlife conservation officials in each state and seasons and bag limits will therefore vary. Only time I ever went coon hunt'n I was in my boxers! In these the raccoons are not killed, but are treed and released. If we as hunters want to follow QDMA we all have to do our part to control the predator population. Your job, as a hunter, is to get the coon before they head back on their short walk and arrive back to their nest tree. [41], In addition to fictional portrayals of coon hunting, there are several magazines specifically devoted to the sport, of which two are Coonhound Bloodlines and Full Cry. Thermal vision, similar to night vision but senses heat instead of ambient light, is probably better but is as much as quadruple the cost. See more. [13] Horses and mules used for coon hunting typically are able to jump fences "flat-footed" or from a standstill. A quality weapon light makes aiming easier, even when using a headlamp. You’d be much better off running your dogs through these mature timber stands adjacent to food sources that raccoons hammer. The first coon hunting headlights were carbide lights similar to those used by coal miners, but today headlights are made and sold specifically for hunting. It is almost always done with specially bred dogs called coonhounds, of which there are six breeds, and is most commonly associated with rural life in the Southern United States. An old school .38special revolver is damn fun to hunt coons with and plain jane .38 rounds are cheap and available. [1], Modern coon hunting is practiced with the use of a trained dog or pigs. Be very, doubly sure of your intentions when using these lights. Coon hunters live for the thrill of the hunt. The light is so bright that when you try to use it up against a tree the light reflected off ruins your night vision making it harder to see. I’ve mentioned earlier that I was the bookworm type whereas my brother, Ben, was more a macho kind of guy and a true outdoors man. [22] It includes a popular bench or conformation show in addition to the hunting competition, and has special events for children who hunt or own coonhounds. Our first pick is the Orion … It can be a fight between two boss coons or a distress call from a pup. Raccoons are just about everywhere in the US and almost all states have liberal seasons and sometimes unlimited bag numbers. More than once I’ve bayed a coon directly underneath a hornet’s nest, Make sure to be as still as possible when calling raccoons. The book was unsuccessfully marketed to adults for several years before being tested at schools, where it became a mainstay. The largest and most prestigious annual hunts, also called field trials, include the Autumn Oaks, Leafy Oaks, and Coonhunting World Championship. PKC - Prohound Kennel Club. coon (ko͞on) n. 1. The only answer is for hunters to do what they do best, hunt raccoons! Most dogs will emit a long, distinct bay upon striking a trail, and will continue to bay the entire time they are tracking the raccoon. As a minimum I’d shoot for three kinds of light: A big spotlight that throws at least 1000 lumens should ride around in the truck. [2] While historically coon hunting dogs were of any breed, modern coon dogs are almost always members of the scenthound subgroup called coonhounds. Coon hunting, as we know it today, originates from a sports competition in the 20th Century. ckrifles. [8] One outdoors writer estimated that in 1985 there were 30 to 40 thousand coon hunters in Michigan alone. Make sure you get access to land in areas with lots of edge habitat, swamp thickets unbroken by fencerows. [32], Coon hunting continues to be popular in the rural South and Midwest. Coon Hunt. Since my hunting buddy was brave enough to follow the first demon possessed coon into the brush with the owner of the arrow, I gave my attention to the other two newbies. Visit our calendar and events page for upcoming events in your area. Look for hazards around the bay tree. Barrel Mounted Hunting Light $ 80.00 Options. These are words that are commonly used by coon hunters. And so coon hunters have developed that breed of dog having stealth, agility, profile and sense for coon hunting. In Alabama, there is a cemetery specifically for the burial of coon dogs. In the 1940s and '50s conservation efforts were undertaken, including teaching hunters not to cut down den trees that raccoons used for raising offspring. [33] If they can’t get outside to satisfy their hunting urges, they will stalk and pounce on their toys instead. [9] Unlike some breeds of hunting dog that use sight to locate their prey, coonhounds use their sense of smell alone. When majority of cast or a non-hunting judge sees a live coon. One of them was ready to give the treed coon a mouthful of steel and carbon fiber. Don’t overlook ponds and streams as potential food sources. [2], The practice of coon hunting is sometimes associated with possum hunting, since the same dogs were often used, the animals are both climbers by nature, and are common in the same geographic areas. On the latter song, the voice of Martin's coonhound is actually heard. Coon dogs must be able to firstly obey the hunter so they don’t endlessly run off for miles and are lost. This is taken from the Tennessee state game laws, as it is not possible to list the game laws of every state, and most of them will change yearly depending on the number of raccoons considered to be surplus by the state conservation officers. Tracking collars with built-in global positioning systems may be used to help locate the dog, though historically the dog's voice was used as a locator. Reactions: okie, msinc and Bc'z. As a general rule, use rimfire only. It can draw law enforcement, who 99% of the time will instantly think you are spotlighting for deer. Coon hunting is a rowdy sport. [37], Southern comedian and folk storyteller Jerry Clower released his record of "The Coon Hunt", a comic tale of a Mississippi coon hunt gone wrong, in the early 1970s. 2. Raccoons nest mostly in hollowed out trees and in large limbs of hard wood trees, high off the ground. The practice grew more popular in the 20th century and reached its peak in the mid 20th century when millions of racoons were killed each year. Raccoons were first hunted by Native Americans, who harvested the common animals both for meat and fur. Coon hunting is also popular in the rural Midwest. [Short for raccoon. Informal A raccoon. [35][36] It was remade in 2003. While most hunting can be successful without dogs, raccoon hunting success is almost entirely dependent on the quality of the dogs a hunter has access to. These tree points are not to be used to break a tie. A lot of these lights come with filters, lasers and other doo dads that work well. Finding good hunting ground for coon hunting is sometimes a catch 22. Some posts may contain affiliate links. In competitive hunts, where the objective is to demonstrate the skill of the dog, killing or harming the raccoon will often result in disqualification. In the early 1800s, coon was a nickname for a sly person, likened to the clever shiftiness of the animal. [30], This article is about raccoon hunting. The key here is small and thin. There are six distinct breeds of coonhound developed specifically to hunt climbing game by scent; Black and Tan Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, English Coonhound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, and Plott Hound. If you are going for the field hunt when it’s dark, then you will need trail … [8], During the 1950s, staged nite hunts were created and by the 1970s had become popular, with some hunts involving over one thousand dogs. The dog's owner or trainer will begin by teaching it to follow the scent of a raccoon's pelt or commercial scent stick dragged across the ground. All are licensed UKC events. [17], Not all coon hunting is in the wild, as many modern hunters enter their dogs in competition hunts,[18] also called nite hunts. Definitely an optional piece but when looking for your hounds at the end of the night, or finding the coon that fell into the tall grass, night vision can be indispensable. In addition to meat or fur hunts, there are also competition hunts to demonstrate the speed and skill of the dog. C. When coon is caught on the ground and seen, strike points only will be plus. Coon hunting is done after dark. Coon hunting is a practice that started decades ago. A coon squall is a call that raises the bat signal for the mature members of the social hierarchy to come in for help. Work to improve relations with the public and be accountable for your actions. Some states strictly and outright ban these items for hunting but allow them for animal recovery. The coonhound, colloquially the coon dog, is a type of scenthound, a member of the hound group. The chase is on when the dogs pick … Coons squalling can be a down right deadly tactic especially just after the sun goes down while the raccoons are waking up and getting stirred. [6] Some hunters also use Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs, although this breed is not a hound but a cur.[7]. In Tennessee, for example, coon hunting season begins in mid-September and ends in February, with a bag limit of one raccoon per hunter per day,[26] while in Kentucky, it begins in October and ends on the last day of February, with no bag limit. Lightweight and rugged GPS collars for dogs are cheap enough that you can outfit a pack for less than a set of tires. They can be lethal to dogs and impossible to detect until it’s too late, Sleek body and soft coat, slender build, and topping out at about 70lbs. Up to World War I raccoons were very common despite being hunted often, and were sometimes poisoned to keep them from destroying crops. Instead, look for more coons because good spots hold multiple animals. Dennis Holmes here. Scent hounds are popular for tracking and hunting down raccoons since then. Even when they’re well-fed, Maine Coons love to hunt. Raccoon hunting history is long and storied with songs about coon hunting dating back to the pioneer days with trappers and Indian wars. As the oldest and proudest coon hunting organization on the planet, ACHA is the status leader in organizing hunts, prizes, dog registrations and recordkeeping. I bring you the best buying guides to help you to choose which tactical gear is the best for you as well as offering you a professional and fast service. Some of the best areas to hunt are farm fields with CRP or bordering state lands with old growth timber. The Top 5 Rated Optics Reviewed, Raccoons will be hungry after a rough winter and coon hunting can be a great way to scout for fall deer hunting, Offering to landowners to get raccoons before they get turkey eggs and summer crops builds relationships with farmers and opens hunting opportunities, Focus on food and nest sites which are easy to spot with no leaves on the trees, Target water sources and creek bottoms where the coons trap aquatic food and cool off, Squalling works great when raccoons are protecting their young, Be careful of over exerting dogs in the hot weather, especially when away from water, Follow the coons for food sources and you’ll likely find deer as well, Raccoons will be more active fattening up for winter and will be out longer at night, Try running dogs following frosts and cold fronts.