Question to seasoned coon and possum hunters

[chancers]

Does anyone know if there are seasonal variations in terms of coon and possum numbers/sightings in your respective areas?   I'm relatively new to shooting coons and possums and have noticed a definite drop in the coon/possum nightly visits since the weather started getting warm.  Is this to be expected?  And will the nightly coon/country rat visits increase towards the fall and winter?  Or is this the effect of thinning the herd?   My 25 Mrod is itching for some varmint action.

[eddielee70]

my numbers have drop also when it's warm.

[only1harry]

Their #'s usually drop a little when it gets warm, because they can find natural sources of food easier in the Spring & summer.  But both species are opportunists, so it's probably a little of both ("thinning the heard" too).  You will probably see more of them in the Fall & Winter as they travel farther in their search for food. 
Just be careful because right now is not the (legal) season for coon or possum in most states.  They are taking care of the young until they can be on their own.

[yote300wsm]

The Mothers are caring for their young.

[ray1377]

Coon season just opened up here July 1st.
But yes, they do get sorta scarce when the weather warms up.
During the cold months its not uncommon to see 2 or 3 coons in one night.
As for the possums, they seem to show up whenever they want.
And are never really easy to pattern.
They are true ghosts of the woodlands.
Ray

[amb5500c]

As with most critters, they dont do near as much moving when its hot. I know I dont.
Richard

[shadow]

The Bandit activity along with the Country Rat movement has slowed some this year. After two years of pest control for a resident his place and property was overrun with them I have them under control. Ed

[Atchman2]

I think it has a lot to do with the places you hunt too.  My spots are near creeks, some seasonal and some that go full time from springs.  They all tend to cruise those creek banks looking for food. 

I'm starting to see some small male raccoons and a few big boars on the game camera. The other night there was four at once, a mother and three little ones.  It would be unusual for me not to see any at night as thick as they are in TN.  I've seen less possums this year, but last year I harvested a ton of them, so like Ed that probably has something to do with it. j

Get an IR game camera and start throwing out some cheap cat food. That it the easiest way to see how many you really have coming around. 

[PhantomF4E]

Their movement is pretty much determined by food,water, and shelter availability. If they are in your area and there is less natural food available they will sneak in and go for Fluffy's food. If there is an abundant supply of natural food, and water around, you may not see them at all.
   Like everyone has said check your rules.. Here in Fla if any mammal, except bears are causing "private" property damage, they are fair game anytime, . By legal means that is. Airguns while used all the time, are off limits on the books for any game hunting in Fla. (Stoopid law)   

[tom96]

if a all possible walk along the edge a creek far from any houses and look for brush piles and old logs me and my jagdterriers have found plenty of coons this way but you need to look very carefully as they can blend in, or you can ensure a coon by setting open cans or sardines along a creek at night were you know there is activety and wait for one to show up they just cant pass up an easy meal.

[Atchman2]

Sardines are the raccoon version of "crack".

[PhantomF4E]

+1 to sardines, the cheaper the better, or even the really cheap oily kitty food.  Even an empty tin will drive them nuts

[yote300wsm]

The ultimate is Shellfish Oil. Available from most trapping supply houses. 20X the stink power of sardines. Used it for years when I was trapping coon with great results.

[PhantomF4E]

Wondering how they go about making shellfish oil !!! Something probably left to the imagination !! One dead crab under the deck can ruin a backyard barbeque !!!

[yote300wsm]

It has the most fishy smell there is. Doesn't smell rotten, just super fishy. Uncork the bottle in the house for 5 sec and momma will have you sleeping in the garage.

Here's a link where you can get it. Great folks to deal with. Just type shellfish oil in the search box. Blackies Blend is the real strong stuff. They also have Crawfish Oil too.

http://www.nwtrappers.com/catalog/search.asp

[Backyardsniper1]

Here in OH I mostly see them as roadkill here.