Hunt & Live

Q&A · Hunting

Should you hunt raccoons during the day or night?

April 6, 2026

Quick Answer

Hunting raccoons at night is more effective than during the day, as they are primarily nocturnal and most active when darkness falls, making them easier to track and tree.

Optimal Hunting Hours

Nighttime hunting allows for the utilization of a treeing Walker coonhound’s natural instinct, which is to aggressively pursue and tree raccoons. The most effective hunting hours for raccoons are typically between sunset and 2-3 am, when they are most active. During this time, raccoons are more likely to be moving in search of food, making them easier to track.

Choosing the Right Hunting Spot

When selecting a spot to hunt raccoons, it’s essential to consider areas with a high likelihood of raccoon activity. This can include areas with a reliable food source, such as a nearby stream or a wooded area with an abundance of nuts and berries. Additionally, areas with rocky outcroppings, hollow trees, or other denning sites can also be effective locations for treeing raccoons.

Using the Treeing Instinct to Your Advantage

When using a treeing Walker coonhound, it’s crucial to understand and utilize their natural instinct to tree raccoons. By allowing the dog to pursue and tree the raccoon, you can increase the chances of a successful hunt. A well-trained treeing Walker coonhound can tree a raccoon in as little as 5-10 minutes, making it a valuable asset for raccoon and bear hunting.

treeing-walker-coonhound hunt raccoons night
Share

Find more answers

Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.