racoon hunting at night

[southie]

greetings everyone, I've heard some conflicting info lately so I thought I'd try to get this figured out. Do I legally need a dog to hunt coons at night? Is it legal to shine from a vehicle? Is it legal to use a pistol(.22 lr or centerfire)? thanks for your help.

[nic53]

you can not legally shine from a vehicle if you have a gun in there. Cant even have a spot light and gun in vehicle at the same time anymore. Im not sure about the whole dog situation though.

And this is what the regulation book has to say on it.


Raccoons
Night Hunting
A person may take raccoons between ½ hr. after sunset and ½ hr.
before sunrise only in accordance
with the following regulations:
• Hunters must be on foot.
• Artificial lights may be used to locate, attempt to locate, or shoot a
raccoon
only if the raccoon has been treed or put at bay by dogs.
• Rifles and handguns used must be .17 or .22 caliber rimfire
(including .22 magnum).
• Shotgun shells may not contain shot larger than No. 4 bird shot.

[rofferneil]

But better i think its not allowed but its really adventure for all of us. Good topic to discuss.
 

[GRIZ]

I believe it's legal w/o a dog as long as you don't use artificial light.