Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-29

Dollars and real sport are 20 be
found in the hunting or trapping Of the
raccoon--usually abbreviated into
"coon"-which is found over practically
all of North America. 1t isn't a large
animal, but it can and will put up a
fight like a tiger if run into a corner,
and it has to be an experienced and
strong dog to whip it; in fact, even a
whole pack of regular coon hounds gen.
orally know that they have been in a
scrap when the animal has been fin
iShed.
The raccoon fur has wide favor in
fashion. Throughout the season of
1867 the skin of that animal was in
positive demand and brought compare
lively high values, and market Observ-
erS have given the advance opinion that
in the season now nearing the value
will be equally as good. The fur can
be made into a very fine pair of gloves,
a fancy robe or pretty coat, the heavy
and dark ones being especially hand
some in fur sets.
The raccoon, except for its fur and,
with some people, food value, is not
popular, particularly with the farmer
and poultry grower. It makes destruc-
tive raids upon cornfelds and upon
barnyards, always at night or in the
very early morning. These are not its
sole foods, of course. 1t is fond of
mice, frogs, fish, mussels, insects, fruits,
nuts and eggs
The coon is generally regarded as a
very cunning animal, yet it isn't re-
markable in this respect. On the con-
trary, it is rather respect. On the con-
cept that type found on the Pacific
Coast. which gives the trapper a hard
contest Of wits and endurance. The
tribe IS most numerous in the southern
states, where the hunting of it is a
widely popular winter season paStime.
The racCoOn is noted for its cleanli-
ness in eating, washing it daintily be-
practicable. Il is also a sort of camel
for consuming capacity. If in
captivity il will drink plain water only
under protest; but give the water a
touch of fermented spirits. strong and
sweet, and-well, his coonship will give
an example of what can be gotten from
a case of booze. If taken young the
animal is not difficult TO tame, but it
has utter contempt for the value of
property and for this reason is not a
great favorite a s a pet
For taking the racCOon alive the COM
mon method is to set the trap in the
entrance of a pen of stakes at the edge
of stream ii is known to travel. The
traps may be set dry or under water
and the bait may also be set in any
natural enclosure, such as a hollow log
or hole under stump, alongside the
stream. COonS are frequently caught
in water sets placed for foxes
Another and very good method used
extensively in the south, is to fasten a
piece of white dish or bright tin on the
pan OF trap and set it under about
two inches of water, near the bank of
the stream. In this case no bait is
used, but something having a little
scent may be employed to advantage
to draw the animals attention South
ern t~apperS also occasionally find a
tree, stump or rock in a stream where
1T is known that the coon walks, and
place trap at a point likely to catch
MN when passing around the obstruc-
fence made mil
swer this purpose.
No. or Noe steel traps are the sizes
which have been found most success
ful
The hide of the coon should be taken
off open and stretched as nearly square
as possible.