Need some advice.

[jkfamily]

I'm new to coon hunting and have a good area to hunt in. But I'm having trouble catching coons. The dogs have hunted coons before I got them so I hope they know what they're doing. The problem is I don't. Would like any help knowing when the coons start running. There's a large creek that runs through the property and quite a bit of farm ground. I have a friend that hunts the same ground and late in the summer he has gotten up to 8 coons in one night, so I know there are plenty of coons in this area.

When is the best time to go coon hunting? I've had people say an hour after sunset, and others say even later. I have tried different hours of the night and even morning with no luck. Do moon phases play a part in good hunting? Basically, I'm brand new to coon hunting and need any help and advice that I can get.

I guess just any advice that you can give would be appreciated! Thanks!

[bowtech36]

You can Hunt coon any time of day and catch them. I like to go.about an hour after sunset or at sunrise. Any time of day though you could hit a track. If you have hunted multiple nights and haven't treed a coon it may be the dogs. If you didn't see the dogs hunted before you got them they may have not been started all that much on coon like you thought they were. But no matter the case just keeping walking in the woods with them dogs and you'll get one. Walk the creeks, and cast them into the fields if there's things like corn or nuts growing. Best of luck. Welcome to the world of coon hunting. Not much in life better

[slobberdoc]

From what I've seen, coons start moving around dusk. A good time to start hunting is an hour or two after sunset. Coons in different areas are active at different times depending on conditions and who knows what else, here they are most active 2-4 AM. In general, I've had more success putting coons up a tree later at night instead of right after dark.

Set up a game camera by the creek and leave it alone for a week, then check it to see when the coons in your area are most active. Figure out where your coon's food sources are in the area and what part of the night/season your coons are using them...coon trails...den trees...basically just scout out the area like crazy!

I don't know exactly how moon phases correlate with critter activity--I'm sure it does, among other things such as temperature, weather conditions, moisture in the air, time of year, etc. etc.--but I do know I've treed a lot fewer coons when it's a full moon.

Of course don't NOT hunt on a bright full moon night, or in the pouring down rain, or other nights when you think you might not catch a coon...because sometimes you do beat the odds...makes it more rewarding when you do catch one! Some of my best memories are snowy, windy, rainy, or full moon nights.

Basically find out as much about the coons in your area as you can. Don't forget to have fun and don't get caught up about how many coon you catch at first...remember it's the experience hunting with your dogs that counts. Too many people just want to catch a bunch of coons right off the bat. And then forget about what really matters.

Good luck and welcome to coon hunting!

[muttman82]

good advice from the other guys. Also can you elaborate a little more how long have you had the dogs, what are they doing when you take them hunting ? Do they go out and hunt are they starting any tracks ? In my opinion i would try bonding with the dogs first spending a lot of time with them getting the basic handling technics down getting them familiar with you gaining their trust. They may just need to adjust to a knew owner before they hunt for you properly, and just keep at it don't get discouraged eventually you will tree one then you will be hooked ! Best of luck to you !