Old raccoon methods aren't working.

Apparently the bandits have gotten wise to my methods of drawing them out. They're not going for the marshmallows, sunflower seed, peanut, or even the cat food. I know they're in the area because I've seen their tracks, and droppings left behind. So I can either guess they've gotten wise to the sound of my truck, or they've learned to completely avoid everything I have set out.

So anyone else have some other baits they've had success with when everything else fails?
 
Ever tried (smoked) fish or peanutbutter? They seem to like that too. Well, they basically eat everything that's eatable they can find.

They are very clever so if they associate something with dead mates they'll start avoiding it. Therefore changing tactics is always clever, also changing the place where you're shooting from, using different types of illuminating etc. This also holds for rats, magpies and crows, all three ratter clever animals.

Good luck with dispatching! Glad we still barely have them in the Netherlands, however they're currently invading parts of Germany already :(
 
Tonight I went to check on what I'd put out. Marshmallows were gone and so was the sunflower seed. Since we're going from 70 down to highs in the 40's in the next few days I might get lucky and catch the more elusive ones out. Been doing my best to knock them down, but so far this year all I've gotten are the younger ones.

Maybe I could use apples or some other fruit?
 
Well I didn't get the raccoon, but I did end up seeing a monster possum tonight. Took what should have been a heart-lung shot, heard a meaty thump as expected and it took off into the brush. Didn't find a blood trail so I couldn't track it any further than 20 yards. Chances of tracking it in the daylight are minimal at best since it started raining 20 minutes later.