Have a couple of grandkids that are under 5 that I want to introduce to trapping. Coons need thinning on my lines and I thought I would set about a dozen traps for them. Give something for the grandkids to observe. Other than a couple I may tan and introduction to skinning, should I even bother skinning the rest.

Not unless they are 45 lb's with A/B color ,lol

I think you already uncovered the unmeasurable value- spending time outdoors with you Grandchildren.

have the kids skin them , no worries if they make holes they are just practice coon

meat market maybe?

^ this

If you have some funds, I would have kids set traps and have them skin them and process and tell them you sold them for them For 50 bucks each. Nothing like a 50 dollar bill to get kids excited and become trappers for life, then throw them away, and know you could not have spent your money better than helping grand kids

This is a good idea, but they're 5. Tell them you sold them for $5/each and they'll likely be thrilled.

I like the $50.00 idea. Teach them to save 45.00 of it. Let them keep 5.00 each. Never to early to teach saving money and discipline of funds. Enjoy the time with your grandchildren as well

If your going to buy their put up racoons do it for close to what it was last time there was a market for them so when they are older they aren't like coons , those are worth 50 bucks just to find out you were the one paying them , a well intentioned lie is still a lie at some point

the last paying racoon we had was 5 dollars a head at the farm that was over run with them my son pulled 40 out in a week

maybe better yet if they have a youth 22 trade them coons caught for 50 round boxes of 22lr

If you're gonna lie make it a good one. Tell them the government is buying them, as part of the Build Back Better act.

Take them squirrel hunting. Then you will have something to eat and won't have to tell any lies period.

Can I be your Grandkid, I had a thought though, if I was a 5 year old child and I started telling peaple i got 50 bucks for a raccoon, they may think I'm confused or peg me as being untruthful?

I could likely sell the meat.

Like the idea. Maybe $10 a piece and a trip to the candy store.

I figured I would feed them a coon. lol

I'll take that deal!!!!

Have the skins tanned and give them to the kids for wall hangers, and/or make hats out of them.

With children that young just take them out and set your traps like it is a normal thing to do and you can decide what to do with the catch. No need to enforce into youth the should I or should I not trap based on the market. We don't need trappers only in the good years we need them on the landscape every season and you can teach them that right now.

Bryce

You should be able get ten bucks for the meat. Heads and "bones" have value also