Years ago there was a thread on here about bait stations for attracting coons. What do you guys/gals use for bait in your bait stations for attracting raccoons prior to season?

Just follow the deer feeders around. Let the deer hunters feed the coon and waste their money lol.

If you really wanted to bait coon, get the cheapest food you can find, corn, dog/cat food.

That may been CoonDuke that posted a video.

I made a feeder at the back of our property years ago. Haven't used it in years. Was interesting to watch my trail cam videos.
Dry Dog Food was the ticket.

Make Feeder(s)-
Kitty Litter Bucket w/lid
Drill 1" hole near bottom on 3 sides
Wire bucket to tree or post in likely spot
Add dry dog food

when ever i would set up bait stations i liked using cat food and old boxes of apple jacks cearel and every time i would re-bait before season i would ring the outside perimeter with fish oil and fryer grease so when the coons would eat the bait they would have to walk right thru the oil to have at it and when they would leave to head back to denning area they would leave a scent trail on there feet and i found the stations were getting crushed the longer they were out

I like the scent trail idea. Often wondered about using Fruit Loops or other cereal but I suppose dog food is cheaper.

i always had luck using super sweet thru summer then as the weather starts to get colder i use a more protien based lure and as it gets really late and into the spring(mating season)i make a base lure using the glands from the coon as well as there gall and gall bladder and that time of year can work better then shellfish

We have a big licorice manufacturer close by and we used to get bulk waste licorice from there for bear bait and the coon love it also.

When I coon hunted, the old timers would take an old tire on a rim and cut 1 1/2”-2” holes around the sidewall then fill it with corn and water. Coons and hogs would be the only things to mess with it.

Plus they’re drunk so a sub-par set would still preform.

Should be enough coons in NW Illinois that pre-baiting is a waste of time. Just trap where they are and you'll catch them.

https://youtu.be/N6cnyrcIWxc?si=L1n5TYQNcOl3rH0s

He shows here how to make s feeder