What size shot is best for raccoons during nighttime hunts?

Choosing the Right Shot

When hunting raccoons at night, shot selection is critical to ensure a humane and efficient kill. A #4 shot is widely regarded as the optimal choice for nighttime raccoon hunting. This size shot provides sufficient penetration to reach vital organs while also expanding to ensure a quick kill. A #4 shot is also less likely to over-penetrate, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.

Nighttime Hunting Techniques

At night, raccoons often retreat to trees, making a skilled coonhound essential for locating and treed animals. Competition hunters often use headlamps to navigate and locate their quarry. A good coonhound can tree a raccoon in 10-15 minutes, providing a clear shot opportunity. Hunters should aim for the base of the skull or behind the ear, taking care to avoid over-shooting and risking organ damage.

Shot Placement and Safety

When shooting a treed raccoon, it’s essential to consider the angle and proximity to the animal. Aiming for the base of the skull or behind the ear ensures a quick kill and minimizes the risk of over-penetration. Hunters should also be aware of their surroundings, taking care to avoid shooting into surrounding trees or other obstacles. In competition hunts, a quick and humane kill is essential, and a #4 shot provides the best balance of penetration and expansion for this purpose.