How to assess a raccoon’s health during the hunt?

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Physical Examination When assessing a raccoon’s health, it’s essential to perform a thorough physical examination. Check the raccoon’s eyes by gently lifting its upper eyelid with your finger. Look for discharge, redness, or swelling. Check the nose by feeling it with your finger; a healthy raccoon’s nose should be moist but not wet. Check the ears by gently lifting the flaps; look for discharge or signs of injury. Also, inspect the raccoon’s fur for signs of disease or infestation, such as ticks or fleas.
Treeing Instinct Assessment Since you’re using a Treeing Walker coonhound, you can also assess the raccoon’s health based on the dog’s behavior. Pay attention to the dog’s bay: a healthy raccoon should cause the dog to bay continuously for at least 30 minutes, indicating that the raccoon is not injured or weak. If the raccoon falls from the tree or the dog stops baying quickly, it may indicate that the raccoon is injured or weak. Also, observe the raccoon’s behavior while it’s in the tree: a healthy raccoon should show no signs of distress or weakness, such as hanging loosely or showing no interest in its surroundings.
Post-Kill Examination After the raccoon is killed, perform a thorough examination to determine its cause of death. Check for signs of disease, injury, or infestation that may have contributed to the raccoon’s death. Also, inspect the raccoon’s organs, such as the liver and kidneys, to determine if there were any underlying health issues. This information can be valuable in determining the health status of the raccoon population in your area and in making informed decisions about hunting and conservation efforts.