[Hern]

Coon squaller is fine to start out. You wont have alot of money tied up.
I use .22LR or .22Mag with only head shots.
If calling den trees, old buildings, old barns, make sure Coon is fully outside den before shooting.
If calling creek bottoms or corn fields, be ready for multiple Coons approaching.
Where ever you call Coon, If you kill or miss, continue to call. More may respond.

Pa. Coon are near prime now and prime around Thanksgiving. I'm saying it's prime time to call Coon. Between Thanksgiving & New Years, Coon look very good.
Coon don't hibernate, but do hole up during cold and extreme cold & snow for a period of time. We usually have a 'January Thaw' where we get a few days of warm up and then Coon will move. By then the fur grade will be on the decline somewhat. By February, Coon are usually 'rubbed' and begin to 'yellow out' and fur is 'springy'.

Coon calling can be the most exciting, most fun to call of all the furbearers. Coon respond easily to calling, they seem fearless plus there are alot of Coon out there. Scout and chose many locations to call. And have tons of fun.

 

[Hern]

Calling den sites such as den trees, abandoned farm house, barns and abandoned buildings is done during day light hours. Reason being, is because Coon are denned up during day time.
Night time Coon calling is done at nearest food source; Corn fields, Oak ridges, Beechnut Ridges, drainages and so on.

 

[Hern]

Brookie, are you fixing to sell your Coon or have tanned or just thinning out the Coon population?
Coon are sold fur side in. Buyer sees every mark, defect & hole in a pelt. If a fur buyer views a shotgun Coon, thatthere shot gun blast would make the Coon worthless.
.17 is fine. Try for head shots.