So here in ND it has been unseasonably cold recently and looks like it is going to continue for quite some time. The lows in the ten day forecast could be in the 20s where I am at with the highs no more than 50 (North central ND). Usually I wouldn't consider getting after raccoons until at least Oct 25th or so, but with these temps I am concerned that I am going to miss out on some open water/pothole slough trapping, which has kind of been my plan for a new line I have been obtaining permissions on this year.

So to add a twist on the age old debate on how fur primes, does anyone have any factual experience to advise on whether or not unseasonably cool temperatures could prime up the animals a couple of weeks early? Specifically Raccoon.

I'm really itching to get out and do some trapping, but want some actually marketable raccoon, as the bigger ones that I caught last season (4x-5x) went for mid 20's average.

Thanks

Absolutely not, priming cycle is control by the amount of daylight.

Age of the animal, general overall health of the animal are contributing factors but the priming cycle is totally triggered by the lack of daylight.

Has more to do with the days getting shorter and the pituitary gland in the brain but there are not times it does seem that some species will prime up sooner some years. Last year the fall badgers were better then the spring ones that I had from the year before, the reason the buyer said was the primes up early this year! LOL

My skunk has a nice pelt on her now so my guess is nobody knows! LOL I would guess the leather would be "blue" now and the females/kits take even longer to get the white leather I have been told.

nope on a rope

Right now is undoubtedly too early. I was wondering if this cool weather might speed things up a bit though, like a couple weeks. Or maybe thats just me wishing.

sure is,but you better get em.my son in Minot just bought his own place and i can't wait to check out your state.wait on the coon though seriously,it will be worth it.i mess with fox and coyotes here early to keep me busy and make waitin easier.good luck.

My guess it its a combination of everything if not their would just "that day" if it was all based on just 1 factor! It seems a couple weeks either side of a normal date would be possible. Check the road kills until they look good then get to it!


I always consider from mid Oct on to be a good starting time.

This photo was taken Oct 29 last year. So the coon was probably taken a couple days earlier. Last year was a real warm fall.

It's all about the pineal gland triggering the body to produce the melatonin hormone.
The lack of daylight as we move into fall/winter triggers the pineal gland which causes the animals to start producing more melatonin, the melatonin triggers the animal to grow its winter fur.

On ranch mink farms mink are sometimes given melatonin implants to get them to grow their winter pelage. This can make the mink ready up to 6 weeks earlier than if just left to the normal cycle. They also try to reduce the lighting in the mink barns.

The early cold weather has jacksh-t to do with priming, in a normal year the two happen about the same time so easy to think that it makes a difference.

Young of the year and breeding females do not have the resources to produce as good a finish as health non breeding animals. So you will see a difference in the finish aka grade.
Depending were you trap will vary the cycle, the further north the sooner the cycle will start because of the shorter daylight.

In most cases an animal coming on to prime is better than an animal past it prime in the hair growing cycle. In truth the window for perfect prime fur is very small like a couple of weeks.

Wonder if pre baiting with melatonin gummy bears would be a sound tactic? Ha.

Nope, not related at all, though the animals diet and habitat will have a lot to do with how the pelt looks, early cold spells are just that early.

I start taking dogs here in late September, their pelts are long and silky but the under fur is short still, and the leather side is still a light blue, middle of October their pelts are thick under fur and prime guard hairs with the leather side totally white, that pelt will stay white until late December but the fur is quite wasted with freeze, downs and rubs.

The harvest window is short in this desert country, mountains it lasts longer till about the end of January, cept badgers and cats they always seem to hole a good pelt for abit longer !

Why do I get that ND Native isn't listening to a thing posted here.

I'll try a different route: If your calendar does not say NOVEMBER its too early for coon in this market. Even the first week of NOVEMBER might be iffy ( in todays market). OCT is out for TARGETING coon.

or better yet....call your fur buyer. I talked to one today. He said second week of NOVEMBER.

buut.

Short windows of time to harvest fur is very well put,
It takes being organized, and strong work ethic , with good methods.
Weather will always be a issue to deal with.
Learning to deal with it, is your job.
Some start early as possible and pay .
Others start later and get payed.
Your choice really

Our season starts Nov. 10th here. I usually start out with land sets and see how things are looking, water a little later. If things look poopy, I'll cut em loose and catch them later.

I'm just stirring up some debate. Sometimes I have read others post how the coon don't leather prime till a real good freeze. Well, we're going to get a good freeze good and early.

Also I know generally that mid October coyotes are going to be a flip of the quarter between semis and heavis from the last several years of experience. Just wanted to hear what people thought about coon.

Only thing the early cold MAY do is develop a better density in the fur.

Early cold isnt going to do anything to change the course. It's daylight. If anything effects that rate this year is will be from the smoke of the fires out west darkening the days.

Calvin, you have to remember I can start a week or two earlier than you on coon if I was so inclined. You can start a week or two earlier than a guy 200 miles south of you.

Nope