16 NOHTll AAIEHICAX FAUXA (iO. F18H AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



In coiisi(l(>rin<2; the natural (Mummies of birds, Forhiish (191(), pp. 

 24-25) discusses the raccoon as follows: 



There is some evidence to the effect that the raccoon robs birds' nests, but it 

 is not numerous enough now in settled regions to be very destructive. Its fond- 

 ness for green corn has not endeared it to the farmer, and the sportsman and 

 angler believe that it destroys game and fish. Add to these alleged reasons for 

 its destruction the increasing price for its skin in the market and we can see why 

 the "coon" is not destined long to be a great factor as an enemy of l)irds, except 

 possibly on lands where all animals are protected. 



An early mention of the raccoon in New England is by Josselyn (1 672), 

 who says: "The Raccoon liveth in hollow trees, and is about the size 

 of a Gib Cat; they feed upon Mass, and do infest our Indian Corn 

 very much; they will be exceeding fat in Autumn; their flesh is some- 

 what dark, but good food roasted." 



Corn is grown extensively throughout much of the range of the 

 raccoon, and perhaps more complaints are lodged against the animal 

 for damages to this staple crop than to any other human interest. 

 Cornfields adjoining woodland inhabited by raccoons may be in- 

 vaded, usually for only a short distance, about the time that the 

 ears reach the "milk" stage. The stalks are pulled down, or the 

 ears stripped off and partly eaten and left scattered over the ground. 

 In some of the most serious instances noted by the writer more than 

 one-half of the corn was destroyed on areas several acres in extent. 

 Other grain crops (as, for example, kafir corn) and fruits and vege- 

 tables of many kinds are also subject to some injury. Personal 

 observations have shown that raccoons sometimes become nocturnal 

 despoilers of the nests of waterfowl. 



General observations over a wide range indicate that the depre- 

 dations of raccoons are sporadic in relation to human interests, 

 involve few individuals, and are usually so limited and local in extent 

 that they are quite negligible. The removal of one or tvv^o offenders 

 by trapping or shooting will put a stop to the raids in most cases. 

 In a very few instances systematic trapping may be necessary to reduce 

 a local raccoon population that has become too numerous and destruc- 

 tive. The isolated cases of damages sustained are, in general, far 

 outweighed by the asset value of the species. 



The northern subspecies of Procyon lotor are among the most 

 impoi'tant fur bearers, but pelts of the forms of the crab-eating 

 raccoon, Procyon (Euprocyon) cancrirorus, are of little value, owing 

 to the short, thin, bristly character of the pelage. 



Some idea of the num})ers of raccoon (Procyon lotor) pelts that have 

 been handled as furs may be gainetl from estimates based upon sta- 

 tistical studies made in 1925 by Frank G. Ashbrook of the then Bureau 

 of Biological Survey, Unit(>d States Department of Agriculture 

 (now part of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the In- 



