| | | Coon Hunting | The common raccoon is a member of the species
"procyon" and are special, due to the fact that they
have a thumb. Though it is not opposable like a human
thumb, it makes it possible for a raccoon to get into
places and containers that would be difficult, if not
impossible for them to get into otherwise. Due to this
talent they have, they have been portrayed in
literature and folklore as clever and as a trickster.
They are omnivorous, meaning they eat meat and
vegetables, and are one of the few animal species that
have been able to increase their territory regardless
of human encroachment. They range in size from 50 to
100 cm and weigh upwards of 4.5 kilograms. They have a
range from southern Canada to southern Mexico.
The raccoon, often called just a "coon," is hunted
extensively in North America, and especially in the
Southeastern parts of the country. Hunters often
employ coonhounds, and hunt raccoons at night when
they are most active. A raccoon hunter will often
times set his hounds at night and slowly trail them,
waiting to hear the distinctive baying bark of the
dogs, which signifies that the coonhounds have treed a
raccoon, meaning chased it into a tree and cornered it
there. The hunter will then follow the sound of the
dogs to the tree in question and shoot the raccoon.
At one time the raccoon was prized by hunters and
trappers for it's fur. The coonskin cap was a was a
popular piece of headgear for early pioneers and
hunters. They were worn originally by Native
Americans, and original models included the head and
feet.
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