Coon Hunting Equipment

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The supplies used for raccoon hunting can vary greatly depending upon the budget and skill level of the hunter.  At the very least, you’ll need a dog, a leash, a gun, and a flashlight, but as with any hobby, there are plenty of additional items you can choose to purchase.

Coon Hunting Equipment

Permit/License

Each state has different seasons and permit regulations.  Contact your department of conservation before hunting to ensure that you have proper documentation to hunt.

Coonhounds

A coonhound is a dog that is bred to have a keen sense of smell, obedience, and the ability to trail and corner an animal.  A hunter typically hunts with one or two coonhounds at a time.

Popular breeds include: American English Redtick, Black and Tan, Bluetick, Plott, Redbone, and Walker.

The price of a coonhound can vary greatly by age, lineage, and skill level.  An unregistered puppy may cost as little as $50 while trained dog with strong lineage can cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars.

Collars and Leashes/Leads

A strong collar is needed, such as the Hamilton Plastic Coated Nylon Collar.

Hamilton 3/4-Inch x 18-Inch Plastic Coated Nylon Webbing Dog Collar, Orange

Some coon hunters choose to put a transmitter on their dog that will allow them to locate the dog easier.  The Garmin DC50 GPS Dog Transmitter is one of the highest rated tracking collars on the market and is priced around $250.

Garmin DC 50, GPS Dog Transmitter

A high quality leash is important because the dogs can be quite forceful when they pick up a scent.  The Lupine Training Lead has great reviews and is very budget friendly.

Lupine Training Lead for Medium and Larger Dogs, 3/4-Inch Wide by 30-Feet Long, Blaze Orange

If you intend to hunt with two dogs, the Caldwell’s No Tangle Dual Leash is strong and easy to control.

Double Leash: Caldwell’s Original Two Dog Leash, The #1 No-Tangle Dual Leash, High Quality Coupler – Strength Tested for Two Big Dogs [MONEY-BACK SATISFACTION GUARANTEE]

Dog Boxes

A dog box is a box used to transport dogs in the back of a pickup.  They can be made from almost any material, but aluminum is the most common.  Dog boxes range greatly in price due to size and features.  The most basic of boxes start around $200 new, such as the Port-A-Dog Box

Port-A-Dog Box – 2 Dog T462 (330603)

Choose a box that allows your dog(s) to fit comfortably inside and fits in the back of your truck well.  If you have multiple dogs, make sure the box has multiple partitions.

If you are in a cold climate, you should look for ventilation systems that are easily closed to ensure your dogs stay warm during the ride.  Some boxes will even have storage compartments that are handy to store all of your supplies.

Lights

Lighting can range from a simple LED flashlight to a headlamp and battery pack.  When selecting a light, you’ll want to take brightness, range, battery life, and comfort into consideration.

Many hunters prefer a headlamp, which is a light that mounts to your head or cap, for hands free lighting.  The Kohree 5W LED is a popular choice.  It boasts a 200 meter range, is waterproof, and has a large battery capacity. It is priced at around $55 on Amazon.

Kohree® High Power 5W OSRAM LED Headlamp with 4 Optical Filters (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue), Fit for Hog/deer/coon/coyote Hunting,Mining,Camping etc

Pack

Whether you choose to skin your coons on site or bring them home, you’ll need a pack to carry them in.  You’ll want something that’s light to carry, durable, and easy to clean, such as the ALPS OutdoorZ Ranger Day Pack.

ALPS OutdoorZ Ranger Day Pack (Realtree Xtra Camo Fabric)

Clothing

Your clothing options will vary greatly depending on climate.  Because coon hunting often takes place near swamps, rivers, and ponds, waterproof gloves, boots, and pants are a good choice.

Dickies Men’s Insulated Bib Overall

You’ll also want to dress in layers for the colder climates.  Coveralls such as the Dickie’s Insulated Bibs are a good choice.

Gun and Ammunition

You’ll need a small caliber rifle or pistol, such as a .22 to shoot the raccoons (if you’re hunting to kill) after they’ve been treed.  You’ll also need a skinning knife or a fur handling kit.

Wiebe 5 Piece Fur Handling Kit

As you can see, the cost and amount of supplies varies greatly among hunters.  If you’re just starting out, try it with a few of the basics and add to your collection as your experience grows.