How To Call Raccoons At Night (Explained)

Calling raccoons is a lot easier than you might think. You’ll need to be in a spot with a heavy raccoon population, but otherwise there are certain strategies that will help you out. With this guide, it won’t be long before you can do it yourself!

How To Call In 20 Raccoons in ONE Day! |
Takeaways
Raccoons are creatures of the night, and hunting them requires different tactics and techniques than other game.
Calling raccoons can be an effective way to attract them for hunting or observation purposes.
Effective coon hunting requires skill, patience, and the proper gear and equipment.
Raccoons are omnivorous and will eat almost anything, but they tend to prefer insects, fruits, nuts, and small animals such as mice and birds.
Hunting raccoons at night can be a fun and challenging way to connect with nature and experience the outdoors in a new way.

You’ll Need To Be In A Spot With A Heavy Raccoon Population

It’s important to be in a spot with a heavy raccoon population, because you want the raccoons around you to be used to seeing and hearing humans. To find out where those spots are, look for areas that have lots of food and water (for them or their prey). 

Look for places that have good cover both above ground and below ground  they like to nest in areas with thick vegetation, or in burrows dug by other animals. If there’s already a path nearby that they’re walking on regularly, even better!

Raccoons can cause a lot of damage to your property, but there are many simple ways you can keep them away. Our guide provides effective and humane methods that will help keep raccoons out of your yard and home

Wear Camouflage Clothing, And Keep Quiet

  • Wear camouflage clothing.
  • Wear gloves and a hat to keep your scent from being picked up by raccoons.
  • Stay quiet, as raccoons are generally nocturnal animals who have excellent hearing and eyesight.
PointDescription
Wear Camouflage ClothingBlend in with the surroundings to avoid alerting the raccoons
Keep QuietRaccoons have sensitive hearing and can pick up on human noise from a long distance, making it important to keep quiet while hunting
Use Red or Green LightsThese colors will allow you to see without spooking the raccoons
Use Calls or LuresPredator and distress calls can be effective in attracting raccoons
Hunt Near Water SourcesRaccoons will often come out to water sources at night, making them a good place to set up

Use A Predator Call Or Just Imitate One

You can also try using a predator call, which is a device that imitates the sound made by animals that prey on raccoons. 

These include owls, foxes and coyotes. You can purchase a predator call at your local outdoors store or online. A flashlight will work as well if you don’t have access to one of these devices.

Thumping noises are another good way to get raccoons’ attention at night; they use thumping sounds to communicate with each other so it’ll make sense for them to react when they hear one coming from above ground! 

The best way to make this noise is by banging two sticks together like you would if you were trying to scare off an animal in real life:

Begin with one stick in each hand and position yourself so that both sticks are pointed upward toward where the raccoon is located (i.e., up towards its face). 

Now start hitting one stick against another until there’s enough friction between them so that they start making noise upon contact with each other.

If none of these methods work then try whistling instead – again this will mimic what else might be going on near your home during day vs night hours so hopefully something clicks into place within the Raccoon’s mind before long!

If you have a garden, you know how frustrating it can be to have raccoons come in and destroy your hard work. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep raccoons out of your garden. Our guide provides tips and tricks that will help you protect your plants from these pesky critters.

If You Don’t Have A Predator Call, Use A Flashlight

If you don’t have a predator call, you can use a flashlight to attract raccoons at night. Simply shine the light on the ground in front of where you are standing, and wait for them to come running toward it!

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, which means they are active at night and sleep during the day. They will be more likely to come running into your yard if there is some kind of food source like fruit or vegetables present for them.

Set Up Ground Blinds Near The Food Source So That Your Scent Is Masked

Raccoons are nocturnal, so you can set up ground blinds near the food source so that your scent is masked. Ground blinds are a great way to hide from the animals and can be made from many different materials. Ground blinds can be used for hunting or for observing wildlife.

Find Raccoon Tracks Along The Edges Of Corn Fields, Or Near Water Sources

Finding raccoon tracks is the easiest way to locate these crafty creatures at night. Raccoon tracks can be found on mud, snow, and even on tree trunks.

Raccoons often leave their tracks near water sources because they need water to survive. They will also leave tracks near corn fields because corn is a common food source for raccoons.

PointDescription
Look for TracksRaccoon tracks are distinctive and can be found along the edges of cornfields or near water sources
Check for ScatRaccoon droppings can also provide clues to their presence in an area
Look for Claw MarksScratches on tree trunks or other objects can be a sign of raccoons
Check for DamageDamage to crops, bird feeders, and other objects can also indicate raccoon activity
Time Your SearchRaccoons are primarily nocturnal, so searching at night or at dawn may increase your chances of finding them

Make Sure You’re Hunting On The Right Days

Raccoons are nocturnal, which means that they are most active at night. They’re also very active during the spring, summer and fall months of the year. However, it’s important to remember that raccoons are not active during winter. 

This is because their food sources (insects) are hibernating for the season. If you want to catch raccoons during these months, you’ll have to hunt at night when they’re awake and hungry!

Raccoons can be a major nuisance when they get into your trash, but there are methods you can use to keep them out. Our guide offers simple and effective ways to secure your trash cans and prevent raccoons from getting at your garbage.

Choose A Day When It Has Rained Recently, Especially If Its Been Really Dry Lately

As with any wildlife, raccoon activity is typically heightened after a rain. Raccoons are also more active on dry days and cloudy days, so look for those as well.

While the moon cycle doesn’t affect adult raccoons’ behavior, it can have an impact on their baby-rearing habits. Baby raccoons born during a full moon may be weaned later than usual because the mother does not have enough light to see them clearly and recognize their cries for feeding.

Check The Moon Cycles To Find Out When Raccoons Are Feeding At Night

Raccoons are nocturnal, so you’ll want to call them in the evening or at night. You can also try calling them during the afternoon if you think that raccoons are feeding more during those hours.

You may be wondering how to know when the moon cycle is changing from full moon to new moon and back again. A full moon occurs when the moon is directly opposite of Earth (facing the sun), which causes it to appear brighter than usual in our sky. 

There are various ways that you can check on what phase of the Moon we’re currently experiencing, including taking a peek through your window at night or searching online for current lunar information.

Wear Soft-Soled Boots, And Apply Plenty Of Scent Elimination Spray Before You Head Out

  • Wear soft-soled boots.
  • Apply plenty of scent elimination spray before you head out.
  • Avoid wearing perfume or cologne—the raccoons might be fooled into thinking you’re an easy target!
  • Use a scent masking spray to cover your own smell and make it harder for the raccoon to pick up on it. If he smells another animal nearby, he may move along in search of easier prey.
  • Make sure that anything you wear doesn’t make noise in the night air: no rattling jewelry or clomping footsteps are allowed!

Go During Early Autumn, When They Are Fattening Up For Winter Hibernation

You should also try to catch raccoons at night during early autumn. This is when they are fattening up for their winter hibernation, and they are more likely to come out at night to look for food. 

They will be more active during this time, which means you have a better chance of catching one!

If raccoons have invaded your property, you may be wondering how to get rid of them. Our guide provides a few easy tips, including using repellents, setting traps, or calling in a professional to help remove the pests

Raccoon Calling Can Be Successful If You Follow These Suggestions

Raccoons are nocturnal, so raccoon calling can be effective if you follow these suggestions.

Raccoons are often attracted to the sound of a predator call like a fox barking or a hawk screeching. Use this to your advantage by playing these sounds as you walk through areas where raccoons are known to live or travel through regularly.

Raccoons may also be attracted by the smell of food, so make sure that all your food is secure and that there aren’t any easily accessible garbage cans nearby (especially ones with food). You don’t want to attract any unwanted visitors!

If you’re in an area where there are corn fields nearby, try calling out at night near them raccoons love corn! If there isn’t a field around though then other options include carrying some bread crumbs with you while walking so that if one sees them they’ll come running over because they’ll think it’s their favorite treat: bread!

Deterrence is always the best method of pest control, and this is certainly true when it comes to raccoons. Our pro tips provide effective and humane ways to discourage raccoons from coming onto your property, including using motion-activated lights, loud noises, or other distractions

Conclusion

So there you have it, everything you need to know about raccoon calling. It’s not as easy as it looks from the outside, but with the right equipment and patience, anyone can be successful at this exciting hobby.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources on raccoons and night hunting:

5 Tips for Hunting Raccoons at Night: This article offers practical advice for hunters looking to take on raccoons at night.

Calling Coons: Expert Tips for Effective Raccoon Calling: This guide provides tips and tricks for using calls to lure raccoons in for hunting or observation purposes.

Coon Hunting: The Complete Guide: This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of coon hunting, including gear, techniques, and safety considerations.

FAQs

What do raccoons eat?

Raccoons are omnivorous and will eat almost anything, but their diet primarily consists of insects, fruits, nuts, and small animals such as mice and birds.

What time of night are raccoons most active?

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so they are most active during the hours of darkness. They may also be active during the early morning hours around dawn.

Can you hunt raccoons at night?

Yes, in many states, hunting raccoons at night is legal. However, it is important to check the regulations in your area and obtain any necessary permits or licenses before hunting.

How do you call raccoons at night?

There are a variety of calls and lures that can be used to attract raccoons at night, including predator calls and distress calls. Be sure to check your local hunting regulations before using any hunting calls or lures.

How do you identify raccoon tracks?

Raccoon tracks are distinctive and easily recognizable. They have five fingers, including an opposable thumb, and are roughly oval-shaped. The tracks often show a pattern of four toes that are close together with the opposable thumb separated from the other toes.