Raccoons can be a real nuisance, raiding trash cans and causing damage. If you have tried other methods to get rid of them with no success, you may be considering shooting them. It’s important though to know the legalities and most effective methods before taking aim.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: aim for the head or chest cavity when shooting a raccoon, use a .22 long rifle or similar small caliber gun, and make sure you know your local laws and regulations around discharging firearms and killing nuisance wildlife before taking action.
Check Your State and Local Laws on Shooting Raccoons
Discharging Firearms Laws
When it comes to shooting raccoons, it’s crucial to check your state and local laws regarding the discharge of firearms. Many states have regulations about when, where and how you can legally shoot a gun.
For example, some states prohibit shooting firearms within a certain distance of occupied buildings or roads. Others restrict shooting raccoons at night or using certain types of ammunition. Violating these laws can result in hefty fines or even jail time. Here are some key things to look into:
- Is it legal to discharge a firearm in your area? Many cities and towns prohibit shooting guns within city limits.
- Is there a minimum distance you must be from occupied buildings when shooting? This is often anywhere from 150 to 500 yards.
- Are there restrictions on shooting after dark? Some states prohibit night hunting of raccoons.
- Does your state have caliber restrictions? For example, some states require centerfire cartridges for humane hunting.
- Do you need a hunting license or permit? Most states require a license to hunt raccoons.
It’s wise to thoroughly review your state’s hunting regulations and all local municipal codes before discharging a firearm to shoot a raccoon. The last thing you want is to end up with a hefty fine for unlawful shooting!
Checking your state’s department of natural resources or wildlife agency website is a great place to find the official rules and laws. When in doubt, consult with your local authorities to ensure you’re following all regulations.
Nuisance Wildlife Laws
In addition to firearms discharge laws, many states also have laws regarding the control or extermination of nuisance wildlife like raccoons. It’s important to check if you need any special permits or licenses to legally shoot or trap nuisance raccoons in your area.
Here are some key questions to research:
- Does your state allow landowners to shoot nuisance wildlife on their property? Some states prohibit this.
- Is a depredation permit required to shoot nuisance raccoons causing property damage? Some states require special permits.
- Are there laws protecting certain wildlife species from being shot as nuisance animals? For example, some states protect female raccoons accompanied by young.
- Are there restrictions on the types of traps or bait that can be used? Some locales ban certain methods.
- Is it legal to relocate captured nuisance raccoons? In many areas, this is illegal.
It’s a smart idea to contact your state wildlife agency to learn about the specific laws and regulations regarding raccoons in your area. They can let you know if you need any special licenses or permits before taking lethal action against nuisance raccoons on your property.
It’s better to take the time to check instead of mistakenly violating laws meant to conserve wildlife populations and public safety.
Choose the Right Firearm and Ammunition
Good Options: .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .17 HMR
When it comes to choosing the right firearm and ammunition for raccoon removal, smaller calibers like the .22 LR, .22 Magnum, and .17 HMR are great options. The .22 LR is arguably the most popular and widely available rimfire caliber. It has mild recoil and is inexpensive to shoot.
The .22 Magnum steps things up a bit with velocities around 2100 fps. The swift .17 HMR is also a fine choice, achieving velocities over 2500 fps with a 17 grain bullet. These lighter rimfire rounds have enough power to harvest a raccoon humanely, without destroying excessive meat.
Using a smaller caliber like a .22 also reduces the chances of over-penetration, an important consideration when shooting raccoons that may be above you in a tree or attic space. Smaller rounds lessen the risk of the bullet passing through the raccoon and continuing on to strike unintended objects or people.
A good lightweight semi-automatic rifle or carbine in one of these rimfire chamberings allows for quick, accurate follow-up shots on tree’d raccoons. When shooting upward, be sure to choose less frangible round nose or hollow point ammunition to prevent the bullet from fragmenting when passing through limbs.
Avoid High-Powered Guns
It’s best to avoid using unnecessarily powerful firearms for raccoon removal. Centerfire rifles like the .223/5.56 NATO, .308 Winchester, or 12 gauge shotguns with slugs and buckshot bring more power than needed. They will destroy more edible meat and heighten risks of over-penetration.
Stick to milder rimfires like the .22 LR whenever feasible.
Save the high-powered centerfire rifles and shotguns for large predators and hogs where more stopping power is required. The only situation where a centerfire may be needed for raccoons is shooting longer ranges if they cannot be lured in closer.
Always be sure of your target and what lies beyond it no matter what firearm you choose. With some preparation and responsible shot placement, those effective little rimfires can humanely harvest raccoons while preserving the most meat.
Aim for Vital Areas on the Raccoon
Head Shots
When hunting raccoons, one of the most effective kill shots is to aim for the head. The brain is a vital organ that controls all bodily functions, so a well-placed shot to the head will result in a quick and humane kill. There are a few things to keep in mind when going for a head shot on a raccoon:
- Aim between the eyes or slightly below. This will hit the raccoon’s brain or spinal column for an instant kill. Avoid shooting too high up on the forehead as you may only injure it.
- Get close. Head shots require great accuracy so you need to be within 20-30 yards ideally.
- Use the proper caliber. Smaller calibers like .22 LR may not penetrate a raccoon’s skull at longer ranges. Go with something bigger like a .223 or .243.
- Pick your angle. A broadside headshot is best. A head-on shot can also work but provides a very small target.
A properly placed headshot will drop a raccoon immediately and is the quickest, most humane way to harvest one. Be patient and wait for the ideal proximity and angle for a clean kill.
Chest Shots
Targeting a raccoon’s vital organs in the chest cavity is another effective shooting method. While not always as immediately fatal as a headshot, a chest shot properly placed will result in a quick kill and allows for a slightly larger target area.
- Aim for the heart and lungs. This cluster of vital organs sits low in a raccoon’s chest right behind the front legs.
- Pick a broadside angle. This exposes the vital chest organs and provides the largest possible target.
- Be within 50 yards or less. Shots over 50 yards risk missing the vital zone even if you hit the chest.
- Use expanding rounds. Mushrooming bullets inflict maximum tissue damage for a humane kill.
A broadside heart/lung shot will cause massive internal bleeding and collapse the raccoon’s lungs, leading to death within seconds in most cases. Follow up immediately to ensure it has expired and doesn’t suffer.
With proper shot placement, a chest shot is an ethical and effective method for harvesting raccoons.
Bait and Camouflage Yourself
Find Areas Raccoons Frequent
Raccoons are creatures of habit and will frequently visit areas where they have found food and shelter before. Excellent locations to set up an ambush include near den trees, around barns and coops, along fence lines, and near dumped trash piles or compost heaps.
Pay attention to tracks, scat, and other signs of raccoon activity to identify their most-traveled pathways. Setting up downwind of these areas will increase your chances of luring in a curious raccoon.
Use Proven Bait
While raccoons are omnivorous opportunists, there are certain smells and flavors that will attract them from great distances. Sardines, cat food, cheese, and peanut butter are all excellent bait options. Meat scraps, pet food, and anything especially pungent and oily will also draw their attention.
Bait should be placed 15-20 yards downwind of your hide. This will bring the raccoons within shooting range as they approach to investigate the irresistible smells.
Stay Downwind and Hidden
Raccoons have a keen sense of smell and will quickly detect your scent if the wind carries it towards them. Choose a hide positioned so the breeze blows from the bait to you. Effective options include sitting against the base of a tree, lying in a ground depression, or hunting from an elevated stand if available.
Wear full camouflage, move slowly, and avoid unnecessary noise. Have patience and wait for target raccoons to relax before taking your shot.
Be a Responsible Hunter
Don’t Shoot Near Homes
When hunting raccoons, it is crucial to be mindful of your surroundings and avoid shooting near residential areas. Stray bullets can travel up to a mile and accidentally hitting a house, vehicle or worse – a person, would be devastating.
Always be aware of what lies beyond your target before pulling the trigger.
Ideally, you’ll want to hunt raccoons deep in the woods, far away from any homes or buildings. If you’re hunting on private land, make sure to get permission from the landowner first. And if you’re near public land like parks or hiking trails, be extra cautious as there could be people around.
Safety should always be the number one priority. So be patient and wait for a good, safe shot instead of taking risky ones near homes and populated areas.
Use Proper Shooting Backstops
Using a proper backstop when hunting raccoons is crucial to ensure safety. A backstop is an object or area that can safely stop and contain bullets if you miss your target.
Some examples of good backstops when shooting raccoons include:
- A hillside or earthen berm
- A large tree trunk
- Bales of hay
- Sandbags
You’ll want the backstop to be as close behind your target as possible. Avoid shooting when you don’t have a proper backstop in place. Also, be aware of what lies beyond the backstop in case a bullet penetrates through.
With an appropriate backstop, you don’t have to worry as much about stray bullets traveling long distances if you happen to miss. This allows you to concentrate fully on an accurate, lethal shot on the raccoon and not stress about endangering others.
Dispose of Carcass Properly
Once you’ve successfully harvested your raccoon, you need to properly dispose of the remains. Improper disposal can spread diseases and lead to contamination.
Here are some recommended ways to dispose of a raccoon carcass:
- Bury it – Dig a hole at least 3 feet deep and bury the remains fully underground.
- Incinerator – Use an approved incinerator to burn the carcass completely to ash.
- Landfill – Double bag the carcass and dispose of it in an approved landfill.
- Composting – Place the carcass in a fenced compost area to decompose naturally.
You should never dump carcasses in rivers, lakes or other waterways as this can spread dangerous parasites like Baylisascaris procyonis. Also avoid leaving carcasses out in the open where other animals can get to them and spread disease.
Following the proper disposal methods for raccoon remains is not only considerate to your neighbors but also prevents ecological harm. It’s an important responsibility every ethical hunter must follow.
Conclusion
Shooting nuisance raccoons can be an effective solution but requires responsible actions. Follow all laws in your area, use appropriate firearms and aim for quick kills, bait raccoons away from homes and people, and dispose of carcasses properly.
With some preparation and caution, shooting can help manage problematic raccoons.
