question about raccoons

Boolit Master Join DateDec 2009LocationQuilcene, WashingtonPosts918

A lady up the hill asked me to take down a troublesome treed raccoon. Of course, I will with a 32-20 and a cast boolit but my question is - are raccoons edible? I have no interest but she might ask.

Some people think so but that is only opinion. When someone would stop and ask if jack rabbits were any good to eat my friend would say that durring the depression they thought they were pretty good. Point of view I guess. Some folks eat possum but does that make them good?

Boolit Man Join DateDec 2011LocationWestern Pa.Posts83

If a raccoon out and about during daylight hours, I would be cautious about rabies.

I haven't had the chance at a healthy one yet, but will try it when I stumble across one. I would also be worried about any coon out during the day. from my little experience they sleep all day even if they get themselves caught in a trap they still sleep during the day.

One of the later episodes of No Reservations shows Anthony Bourdain eating one in Tenn. or somewhere like that and he says its great. He's traveled around the globe too many times to count and knows what he's talking about. Although he was being treated to dinner by a group of guys who have been cooking coon for DECADES, so that leads me to think its all about how you cook it. Like headchesse or chitlins.

I've been huntin' and eatin' 'coons for many years. However, as was mentioned, I'd not take any chances with a 'coon that doesn't seem to mind being seen in broad daylight. If you do get a shot at him, make sure you kill him outright. And don't handle the carcass without disposable gloves.

"Half of bein' smart is knowin' what ya' don't know."
Robert P. Mizell

FLOYD FILES

Boolit Master Join DateDec 2009LocationQuilcene, WashingtonPosts918

The shot was a quick and humane head shot. The raccoon was small and looked healthy. The lady said she treed it with a stick early this morning near her chicken coop. I did tell her to use plastic gloves to bury it and get rid of the gloves just in case. Summer before last was much more interesting when she called for help.. She had me trap a bear in her backyard when she said the bear kept beating the trap the wildlife agent was using. The agent left the trap for me so I used different bait and reset the trip wires. Had it in 12 hours. I told the state agent that the bear was smarter than the average Democrat so It took a conservative to catch. Strangely, he didn't laugh.

Last edited by quilbilly; Yesterday at 02:15 PM.

Boolit Buddy Join DateDec 2011LocationNoVAPosts67

Should have trapped it, if you could. Parboiled in crab boil, then baked with sweet potatoes and dirty rice...Southern Louisiana flavor.

My father-in-law makes it whenever they catch one at the high school nearby.

Really, good eats!

Just like lots of edible critters there is a small bean like gland in each hind quarter you'll want to remove. Also the stringy fatty looking stuff under each "arm pit" are glands and you'll want to remove that also. Trims as much fat as possible, chill the carcass and peel off more fat. Parboil and skim the remaining fat, then either roast it or make barbecoon.

Duke

When I was young my father and a friend of his hunted coons at night with dogs. Sometimes I got to go along on weekends. (Great memories)...
My dad's friend would often cook a coon and invite our family for a meal. I remember eating it, but cannot tell you what it tastes like. Since a coon is a relative to the bear, it may be similar in taste.

Boolit Master Join DateDec 2009LocationQuilcene, WashingtonPosts918

I think they are a distant relative of bears and there is nothing finer than a bear roast (spiced with fennel seeds) from a bear that has been feasting all summer on berries.

Boolit Master Join DateSep 2010LocationBainbridge GAPosts163

Raccoons carry a number if diseases. A really bad roundworm is one of them. You can get it from feces too. So be careful and make sure the meat is well cooked.

I've never hunted them myself, but a good friend of mine (deceased now) was an avid coon hunter. He even raised dogs for that purpose. As I recall, I think he told me that there were some rules about only using 22's or shotguns. I never looked it up in the Vt game laws, but mostly you can use any caliber on anything here. He used a 22 Ruger semi auto.

Boolit Buddy Join DateMar 2012Locationidaho falls idahoPosts63

The eggs from the round worm float in the air and can be inhaled when they hatch they travel to the brain at that point your in trouble.So if cleaning up a **** pile wear a respirator. Not much worry in the field.Most of this stuff gets all blown out of shape Hell id worry more about catching something from your dog,cat or neighbor.

They taste like Turkey dark meat to me.

Especialy good in a stew much like a beef stew.

Paul G.
Once I was young, now I am old and in between went by way to fast.

The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.
-- R. Buckminster Fuller

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