Over the years I've had to remove raccoons dened up in an attic. At this time of year, it's always a group of boars. I'll pull anywhere from 2-6. This January I've had two calls, the first had five boars, the current job had 3 so far, until today, when I had a Sow going in. Using 160 Belisle at a dome attic vent.
I just finished telling my customer that it will be another Boar, because I've never caught a Sow at a boars den.
So, was wondering if it's unusual for you guys to get a Sow right now, or is it unusual that I don't get more sows? And do the sows go to the boars when in estrous? I've always assumed the Sow will den alone and the boars will look for them, just like skunks.
I probably average less than three dozen raccoons a year, including pups during the birthing season.

My thought is the sow does not want the boars to know where her den is located. She’ll be bred away from the den site and return when it is time to give birth. My understanding is a female will not poop in the attic for fear it could draw a male in who will destroy her kits.

Interesting theory, makes sense. Thanks

I have a similar situation with coons getting under a sun room. Had traps out for a week, nothing. Last night customer is reporting nocturnal stretching and banging around in the same place.

Murphys law strikes again, as soon as I pull the traps they come back. How long will you leave the traps set at a location if no catches occur?

I had this job set up for about 4 weeks. 2 coming out, 2 going in. First couple weeks was bitter cold and the coons took a while to come out.

Are you doing exclusion too?

Yes. I made and installed a vent cover over dome vent. At the very least, you have to put a secure patch over the entry.

Do you find most of the time coons gain access somewhere on the roof? Or have you seen instances of coons getting in on the ground and climbing up into the attic?

Yes I have had a few circumstances where I have had coon going under a deck/porch to find an entry into the house then going up the exterior wall void to reach the attic. There are challenges that wildlife give us at times. We just have to figure them out when it happens. Some can make it difficult to figure out at times.

I had a customer that said she had raccoons in her first floor ceiling. Went around the house a couple times and only found what looked like an active gray squirrel hole. Figured she didn't know what she saw, so set up the squirrel traps. The next day she said the raccoon poked it's head through the ceiling. More looking and found where raccoons were going under porch and up a hollow pillar, into porch roof, then into first floor ceiling. For a big animal, they can be sneaky.
I've had a couple go down a chimney, through some missing bricks, into the attic. The missing bricks were in a tight spot and not visible, meanwhile I'm circling the house trying to figure out how they got into the attic. Bob is so right, but it kinda makes the job fun.