Here's an article I wrote a few years ago.
Night Hunting for Raccoons
The phone rang at 5:30 pm, just as I had came home from work. Jamie Dupont, one of my favorite hunting partners, had a farmer offer him and me exclusive hunting rights to his property. All we had to do was get rid of some problem raccoons.
Jamie asked if I was interested, but I think he knew the answer before the question was even asked. We agreed to meet at the south gate of the farm at 9:30pm.
As we gathered our gear and put on our camo clothing, we heard the most awful squalling and hissing noise. We both knew it was the sound of two coons fighting over something. I told Jamie, “This is going to be a good night.”
We decided to set up on opposite sides of a cut strip between standing corn rows. We were about 50 feet apart, with the agreement that I would face and shoot north, while Jamie would face and shoot south. When Jamie was set, he gave one quick squall on a diaphragm call and I knew it was time to start calling.
I proceeded to play a wounded bird/coons fighting tape in the electronic caller. About 30 seconds into the calling sequence I heard the first shot, then another and then another. I was so surprised by Jamie’s shooting, that I failed to notice four coons coming down a corn row straight at me. They were about 20 feet away when they stopped and the boar that was in the lead hissed at me. That gained my attention!
In the moonlight, all we could see were fat little silhouettes. After 30 minutes of no activity I turned off the caller. We both then turned on our flashlights. The total count was 15 coons- eight for Jamie with his 870 and seven for me with my 10/22 rifle. It was a very good night.
When things work, they work. On this hunt we knew there were coons in the area. We also knew that playing a tape of coon fighting/wounded bird is like yelling “fight!” in the parking lot of a fast food joint on a Friday night. The call draws attention! With a call, that incorporates territorial instinct and hunger responses, coons come running.
When hunting at night, make sure that you and your partner know where the other one is because quite often you can’t see each other.
Over the next couple of months, I will share tips and techniques, pertaining to all varmints, that I have learned, both by trial and error, and by listening to and hunting with more experienced hunters.
I hope my column is entertaining and also offers some insight into the sport of varmint hunting. Remember that all hunts are as good as the memories they provide us.
Duane Freilino