Coon movement ?

[Cliffy]

Lookin at the big coon that Steve caught got me thinkin so I started a new thread.

We had coon comin out our ears about three years ago. While I tried my best to knock the numbers down Mother Nature decided to step in and do what she does.

From then to the next season she kept at it just for insurance, not that I mind, but why on ALL my farms LOL.

With few coons now on the farms I trap I have noticed a major movement in them and it happens every year about a week before season starts.

Areas that have a nice population of coon dry up. I mean REALLY dry up. Thought they were moving to water so I went from barns and crop edges to creeks and streams since it still wasn't really cold and the corn was gone.

Still nothing though. I don't think they are moving far but so much of my land has a major river a couple miles away which I have no permission to trap at this time.

While I think they are going for the water do you think the bulk of the population would give up the small creeks and springs to travel several miles to bigger water ?

The small streams and creeks in my area seem to be like the upland areas many talk about. I put a half dozen sets down the creek and catch one coon every couple days and it is mostly a bigger coon and alone.

I can see from the banks that he or she was the only one to come through so I'm not missing them they are just not there.

Would love to radio collar a bunch in Sept. & Oct, just to see where the heck the go Nov 9th (season here opens the 10th).


Cliffy

[tim125]

cliff- i dont know what state you are from but think about this - coon move with the food source- are the acorns dropping or what other berries or nuts are plentiful- most coon in low mountain areas shift to the acorns - and then back to the water when they are done filling up which could be up to 5 weeks- even the deer come to the sound of dropping acorns -its like a dinner bell-

[thebeav2]

The key Is food.

In my neck of the woods momma and her kits stay near water because that's where the first and most food Is.

Then It's corn, now the young are old enough to be traveling.

Once the corn Is gone they will be fat and happy and will be traveling fence lines eating berries, and also about that time of the year your nut crop will be starting to fall.

Around late nov,or early dec coon will start to migrate back to the water.
Your old boar coon will be on the move all year long.

Our coon don't go into barns or other den sites untill You have prolonged periods of bad weather. Around mid Jan.They may hole up for short periods of time before this but they aren't tucked In for the duration until middle of Jan. It all depends On the weather.

The only way to catch large amonts of coon are to follow the food source.

Beav

[Traveler]

Here they go with the feed source.Usually going to the fruits and berries about the same time as acorns.A large turkey population can influence how long the acorns will last on the ground,and when they may start heading for the corn.

Then they usually hit the corn pretty heavy,then wind up on the bigger water.Here in this part of the country we have the fall and late winter shuffle.I don't think it's always tied to feed sources either,just nature spreading around the gene pool.

[trappnman]

The family groups go wt the feed source.

The old males, do not seem tied to the rotation near as much- at the very least, if they are---they still run their upland travel routes..

[tim125]

and them big old males do travel

[trappnman]

I have followed big male tracks on a snow thaw for MILES- finally giving up finding their dens- they were just, for no apparent reason...wandering.

[tim125]

i often wonder how far 1 old coon can smell a female in heat-

[lumberjack]

I think he stated that he tried different food sources (he said he moved from the ridges to the creeks and both were void).Ive noticed this also lately,maybe one out of 10 stops produce more than a couple coon,while the other nine give up one or none,with the same setting techniques.Around here we see a lot of roadkill coon the end of sept and early oct,and always got a kick out of friends saying theres coon all over-I say yea,till your out after them and they seem to have dissapeared.1998 was the last coon explosion around here,there were literally trails everywhere,which was my best season yet,now there arent enough coon to make a trail.

[tim125]

the food source adjust with the elevation- even 100 ft can be the difference but not knowing home area of the questioner its hard to give specifics

[Cliffy]

I'm in Ohio so we don't have elevation LOL.

Our areas have a little of each type of food source but basicly we see no difference what so ever in numbers once november rolls around.

My main question would be this: Do you think most of the population would abandon the small (very small) creeks and springs to travel to the larger waterways (large river).

Keeping in mind that almost all my farms have a major river 4 miles or less away (in most cases less than 2 miles).

Cliffy

[trappnman]

yes Cliff- I do feel at that time of the year- they move to the larger water.

I also feel that many people THINK they are following the coon and the coon sources...but in reality...are one step behind. (I say this through experience in BEING 1 step behind)

[woody]

Cliffy, You have to stop taking Don with you he's taking all your coon, and then your listening to Chris and what does he know ;D You need to hit them coon harder in the begining of the season before they can move on ya, have you thought of putting in feed stations to keep them around Cat food is cheap and if they have a food source they wont leave just a thought, see ya in sept. maybe

Oh I almost for got, ain't you got that one pair of trappers down that way that takes 700 to 800 coon a year down there I can't remember their names but you talked to them at the Region C meet this spring. the one that had the square tube trap like the lil'griz, and done the demo on coon trap mods. woody

[Cliffy]

I'm trying to figure out how to keep up with them but I'll have to get permission on new land to do it, but whats new LOL.

Woody, I guess I could hit them before they move but the local warden might not like it seeing as how they move about a week before opening day LOL.

Don is a beaver man mostly, he is one of them sick in the head guys that like to play in the water when the temp drops, remember my formula: Below 35 degrees = Cliffy & water no-mix LOL (at least nothin deeper than 10 inches).

Yea I got some good trappers around here, when we trap farms side by side I can hold my own half-way decent, but they really hurt me by having permission on most of the prime areas.

As far as Chris goes I think I'll keep my ears open when he talks LOL. Heck, I think he caught more coon his first week last season than both our career totals combined.

I trap all season but only get 2 hours before work so I'm tryin to go with the work smarter not harder plan, no time or money for pre baitin LOL.

Don't think I'll make the convention this year, it's to far and money is tight, I'll be at the region C meet though, might catch ya there.

Cliffy

[woody]

If things work out I'll be in Michigan Ducky hunting ;D so I'll see ya in the spring unless I get ate by a bear or lion while trapping with Edge ;D Good luck and you'll figure something out. you always do.

[tim125]

how close are you guys to the ohio turnpike

[woody]

Lets see, the Ohio turnpike from me is about 150 to 160 miles north of me and Cliffy lives another 40 to 50 miles south yet. why ya ask'n

[Don]

Woody,

I ain't going to catch Cliffy's coons. Now my new job migh put me near your area, so your coons aren't safe at all ;D

I remember 1998 being an excellent year for coon and then it went downhill on the farms that I trap. I will be hitting the coon a little harder this year and not even bother with canine sets. As for the beaver - come on now Cliff you know you had fun helping me haul those beaver out and skinning them. Ahhhhh I can still smell the castor - gives me a chub just thinking about it.

I should be able to run a longer snare line this year with my new job.

Good luck to you all!

Don

[Toptrapper1]

Cliffy,
I explained to you the coons natural rotation and how to time them. I will be able to show you more of what I am talking about when you do a ride along this season.

[Cliffy]

Had a blast with ya that day Don but if'n ya think back where was I ?

Thats right watchin from the bank or ankle deep at best LOL.

Love the smell of the castor though ;D.

Give me a call we'll run off and snag some of woody's coon some weekend.

Cliffy