South Carolina Species Information Raccoons
Raccoons
Prepared by the National Wildlife Control Training Program. http://WildlifeControlTraining.com
Research-based, certified wildlife control training programs to solve human – wildlife conflicts.
Your source for training, animal handling and control methods, and wildlife species information.
familiar with the regulations which govern
these activities. Information on these
regulations can be obtained online
at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov.
A nuisance raccoon can also be taken year-
round with a Depredation Permit. A
depredation permit is not required when
controlling nuisance raccoons within 100
yards of a property owner’s residence. This
Figure 1. Raccoon (Procyon lotor). Photo by Greg permit is issued by the S.C. Department of
Clements. Natural Resources. To obtain a permit call
your local wildlife management office or
law enforcement field office .For further
Species Overview information: http://www.dnr.sc.gov
Conflicts
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) cause considerable Identification
damage to several crops, especially sweet corn Raccoons have a prominent black “mask” over
and sweet cherries. They can cause significant their eyes, and a heavily furred, ringed tail
damage to turf while foraging for soil-borne (Figure 1).
insects. They kill poultry and take eggs.
Raccoons can damage structures when seeking Physical Description
access for denning in attics or chimneys. They
Raccoons are stocky mammals about 2 to 3 feet
carry rabies, and spread raccoon roundworm
long, and typically weigh 10 to 30 pounds. Their
and other diseases.
color is grizzled salt-and-pepper gray and black
above, although some individuals are strongly
washed with yellow.
Legal Status
Species Range
In South Carolina, raccoons are legally
classified as a furbearer and can be taken by Raccoons are found throughout the US and are
hunting or trapping during the open season. common in woodland, suburban, and
The season for trapping these animals is agricultural areas.
December 1 through March 1. Hunting Health and Safety Concerns
season varies by game zone and even has an
established season for running dogs. Anyone Raccoons are the primary vector species for
planning to hunt or trap raccoons should be rabies in the eastern US.
NWTCP – South Carolina State species Information Page 1
South Carolina Species Information Raccoons
Raccoon roundworm (Baylisasacris procyonis) Raccoons are omnivorous, eating both plants
can cause blindness, brain damage, and death. and animals. Plant foods include fruits, berries,
Raccoons are not the only carrier of this nuts, acorns, corn, and other types of grain.
parasite, but they are the definitive host. Avoid Animal foods include crayfish, clams, fish, frogs,
disturbing raccoon feces, and soil or other items snails, insects, turtles and their eggs, mice,
contaminated by feces. rabbits, muskrats, and the eggs and young of
ground-nesting birds and waterfowl. They will
readily take garbage and other food wastes.
General Biology, Reproduction,
and Behavior Voice, Sounds, Tracks, and Signs
Reproduction Raccoons emit several sounds including chirps,
coos, chatter, distress calls, purrs, and
Raccoons mainly breed in February or March. complaints.
Most litters of three to five young are born in
April or May. Young first open their eyes at Raccoons usually leave plenty of signs of their
about 3 weeks, and are weaned between 2 and presence. Latrines, where raccoons regularly
4 months of age. defecate (Figure 2), tend to be in areas open to
the sky such as roofs, sand boxes, and fallen
Family groups of raccoons usually remain trees.
together for the first year with the young often
denning with the adult female during winter.
Nesting/Denning Cover
Den sites typically include hollow trees, ground
burrows, brush piles, muskrat houses, barns
and abandoned buildings, dense clumps of
cattails, haystacks, rock crevices, sewers, under
sheds and porches, in chimneys, and attics.
Behavior
Adult males occupy territories of 3 to 20 square
miles, females only 1 to 6 square miles. Adult
males tend to be territorial and their ranges Figure 2. Latrine of a raccoon. Photo by Stephen M.
overlap very little. Raccoons do not truly Vantassel.
hibernate, but they “hole up” in dens and
become inactive during severe winter weather.
Damage Identification
Habitat Raccoons are superb climbers. They frequently
Raccoons prefer hardwood forests near water. enter buildings by climbing trees or
They also live around farmsteads and livestock downspouts, or by shimmying up the side of a
watering areas, far from naturally occurring building. Look for smudge or scratch marks on
bodies of permanent water. They frequently are trees or at the corners of buildings. Latrines on
found in wooded parks, where they obtain food roofs and in attics are classic signs of raccoons.
from human sources.
Damage to Landscapes
Food Habits Raccoons roll up sod in search of earthworms
and grubs.
NWTCP – South Carolina State Species Information Page 2
South Carolina Species Information Raccoons
Damage to Crops and Livestock When raccoons are rolling up freshly laid sod to
find grubs, pin the strips of sod down with long
Raccoons can cause considerable damage to
wire pins, wooden stakes, or nylon netting to
garden or truck crops, particularly sweet corn.
allow the grass to take root. Application of
Damage to sweet corn is characterized by
insecticides to control grubs is effective only if
partially eaten ears with the husks pulled back.
done before damage by raccoons begins.
Raccoons also break stalks as they climb to get
to the ears. Raccoons damage watermelons by Exclusion
digging a small hole in the melon and raking out
the contents with a front paw. Exclusion usually is the best method for
managing damage by raccoons. Damage to
Raccoons often attack and kill poultry inside sweet corn or watermelons can be stopped
coops after tearing their way through doors or almost immediately by excluding raccoons with
light woven wire. Dead birds often are mangled, an electric fence with two wires set at 6 inches
with many feathers being bitten through. and 12 inches from the ground respectively.
Use electric fences with care and install
appropriate caution signs to warn people.
Damage to Structures
Prevent climb-overs of conventional fences by
Raccoons need only a 4-inch gap to enter a adding an electric wire attached to a fence
space. Raccoons learn that uncapped chimneys charger several inches below the top of the
are good substitutes for traditional hollow trees fence.
used for denning sites. In extreme cases,
Store garbage in metal or plastic containers
raccoons may tear off shingles or fascia boards
with tight-fitting lids. Secure trash cans to a rack
to gain access to an attic or wall space.
above ground, or tie them to a post. If possible,
store trash cans in a secure building.
Damage Prevention
Limit access to rooftops by removing
and Control Methods
overhanging branches. Secure chimneys by
installing commercial chimney caps on every
Habitat Modification
flue. Homeowners who attempt to exclude or
Protect property by removing as many potential remove raccoons in the spring and summer
sources of food as possible. Only place plant should be aware that young also may be
matter (e.g., leaves and grass clippings) in present. Do not complete exclusion procedures
compost piles to avoid attracting raccoons, until you are certain that all raccoons have been
opossums, skunks, and other scavengers. Avoid removed. Contact a Wildlife Control Operator
leaving food and water out overnight for pets. (WCO) for assistance.
Put free-ranging poultry in fenced, predator-
proof coops overnight. Avoid planting sweet Frightening Devices
corn patches near creek bottoms or other Frightening devices such as lights, radios, dogs,
wooded areas. scarecrows, and pie pans may discourage
Hang bird feeders on wire between trees, or on raccoons temporarily, but none will provide
baffled poles to prevent raiding. Reduce the adequate long-term protection.
amount of seed that falls to the ground by using
a single type of seed per feeder and using Repellents
feeders that recapture fallen seed. Ro-Pel® is a contact/taste repellent that is
applied directly to surfaces to keep chewing
animals, including raccoons, from causing
NWTCP – South Carolina State Species Information Page 3
South Carolina Species Information Raccoons
damage. Do not apply Ro-Pel® to edible plants Raccoons are relatively easy to catch in cage or
or crops that bear fruit because it will impart a box traps the first time. Single-door traps for
bitter taste. raccoons should be at least 10 x 12 x 32 inches
and constructed with sturdy materials. Bait
Toxicants traps with sweet items to reduce non-target
No toxicants are registered for the control of captures.
raccoons. Pay special attention to the 12-inch area around
the trap. Cage-trapped raccoons will reach for
Shooting anything they can and pull it into the trap,
Legal hunting season on private lands for including shingles, grass, dirt, siding, and garden
raccoons varies by game zone in South Carolina. hose. Cage traps with ½- x 1-inch mesh,
A free depredation permit for nuisance particularly in the lower portions of the trap,
raccoons may be issued to landowners outside help reduce this problem. Secure traps to solid
of the normal hunting season or who do not objects. Trapped raccoons have been known to
possess a hunting license. move and flip traps over.
Raccoons are usually nocturnal and seldom Direct Capture
seen during daylight. Raccoons may be hunted Sick or injured raccoons may be removed
at night; however, they may not be hunted with directly. Required equipment includes gloves, a
artificial lights except when treed or cornered
catch pole, cat grasper, hand net, and a
with dogs and no buckshot or any shot larger
than #4, or any rifle ammunition larger than a raccoon-sized cage or box trap. If you are
twenty-two rimfire may be used. Devices that unsure of what to do, contact a WCO for
amplify light using any type of power source are assistance
considered artificial light (including night vision
or thermal imaging equipment).
Disposition
Go to www.dnr.sc.gov for specific furbearer
rules and regulations. Check local ordinances Relocation
before discharging a firearm. Relocation is not permitted in South Carolina.
Translocation
Translocation is not permitted in South
Trapping Carolina.
In South Carolina, the legal trapping season is
December 1 – March 1 for licensed trappers, Euthanasia
however a private landowner may apply for a Carbon dioxide is the preferred method of
free depredation permit outside of the regular euthanasia for raccoons. Adult raccoons die
trapping season or if they do not have a relatively quickly, but juvenile raccoons may last
trapping license. Permits can be obtained from 30 minutes or more, particularly when placed in
any South Carolina DNR office or conservation a chamber with less than 100% carbon dioxide.
officer. A gunshot to the head is a safe and humane
way to euthanize raccoons in rural areas.
Furbearer Trapping regulations can be obtained
However, don’t shoot a raccoon in the head if
online at www.dnr.sc.gov. rabies testing is required.
Disposal
NWTCP – South Carolina State Species Information Page 4
South Carolina Species Information Raccoons
Dispose of raccoons by deep burial or
incineration. Consult your state regulations
regarding disposal of carcasses.
Resources
Government or private agencies, universities,
extension service.
Web Resources
http://dnr.sc.gov
http://wildlifecontroltraining.com
http://icwdm.org/
http://wildlifecontrol.info
Prepared by the National Wildlife Control
Training Program. WildlifeControlTraining.com
Certified wildlife control training programs to
solve human – wildlife conflicts. The only
research-based source for training, animal
handling and control methods, and wildlife
species information.
NWTCP – South Carolina State Species Information Page 5
