Flatlander

Run over by Raccoons

Tue, February 07, 2012

You may be thinking there is no way that coon hunting can be as exciting as hunting wild boar and black bear but I can tell you it’s pretty darn close. When my buddy Chad asked if I was up for trying some daytime coon hunting I didn’t hesitate. I know what you’re thinking, when do I ever turn down a hunting trip or a good meal? You may be right but I immediately had flash backs to one of my first filming gigs where I video’d a coon hunt at night with hounds and bows and arrows; it was insane, in a good way.
Raccoons can be called out in the day just like at night with about the same success, you win some and you lose some. Some don’t respond, some run away, and then some come with the vengeance of a momma grizzly protecting their cubs.

If coons had the stride and strength of a Rottweiler you’d be reading our obituaries right now, when they get their mind made up to come to a fight, they come to a fight. I always like to be as well armed as legal and necessary so it made since we have a shotgun, rifle and a .45 along for good measure.  There were times where each would be appropriate, though if I had to pick one the scatter gun really shines. Once committed to coming in to your call sight the raccoon comes so hard and fast you better be used to shooting moving targets.

I love deer hunting and will as long as I can but if the deer or the deer hunting land runs out of Central Illinois I will still be a hunter. I will call Coyotes, Crows and now raccoons, I really believe a true woodsman can and should master more than one kind of game and hunting. I may have not mastered this but I know my buddy Chad has mastered the art of getting close to more critters than anyone I have ever met. There is something special about being in an animal’s realm undetected and then deciding to take or not take its life.

The area’s we chose to hunt were fairly heavy in coon populations over the last year, though Distemper has taken several this fall.  We found a lot of sick and dead coons during the bow season which is how nature deals with an overabundance, it allows sickness to thin out the numbers. I prefer being proactive and utilizing some of the renewable resource, my kids can’t wait to get their coon hides and can’t decide between hats or hanging them on the wall

Most seasons are now closed or coming to a close for this hunting season, be sure to check your hunting digest of when, where and how you can hunt all animals, if you have questions call the state office or a DNR agent to check on species and hours available.

Be safe and enjoy the hunt
God bless,
Matt Cheever ~ Flatlander

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