Registered: Mar 2004
Location: Bunn, NC (Near Raleigh)
Posts: 1584

Whats your technique?

Here's mine:
1 - Walk around the tree, look for large dark spots that do not fit in. Shine these when you find them, this works best with moonlight in the background.
2 - Using a red lens or low light, slowly circle the tree looking up and down, hoping for a coon to look.
3 - Using as tight a spot as possible, search the tree tracing each limb individually. Do this from various points around the tree.
4 - If I plan to use a squaller I will circle the tree using a high pitched squaller like a Mity Max or Zepps, if still no coon I change squallers and try my old deep sounding Olt squaller. I have seen many times when a different sound was what it took to find the coon.
5- Turn off all lights, wait for 1 to 2 minutes. Shine the tree with a low light one more time.
6 - If you still have not found him, you must be hunting a slick treeing walker dawg...LOL

Note - Typically I find the coon in steps 1-3, I sometimes skip step 4 if I think the tree is slick because I feel it might encourage a young dog incorrectly.

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L. Chris Herring
Pine Cone Redbones
"And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal. 6:9

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Registered: Oct 2012
Location: alabama
Posts: 1026

I like to circle the tree and shine sometimes grab a big limb or rock and knock on the tree then step back and squal to see if I can see the coon I like squallen them down I've use a zepp and a night hale but I also like usen my mouth and hands to call.

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foolen with them on the day I die.

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: mn
Posts: 513

my dc-50 can smell if a coon is there. so if it is not going off I just scold the dog and walk away, and if it says it is there I praise the dog and then just walk away. who even shines trees anymore? that is so 1980's

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2713

I like to get a dim light into a tree as soon as I can while walking in, just bright enough to see the coons eyes. Can't do it in the nite hunts but while pleasure hunting I will stop sometimes 75 yards from the tree or more. If there is a coon it will usually look when I do this. Been a lot of times that the coon will look walking in but wont look when I am around the tree and I will have to walk back out to get it to look again.

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Golden Woods Bo
Golden Woods Fancy B

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Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

If i can see the tree going in, then from a distance i put a dim white light in the thee. Most of time this is not possible.. I generally walk into to tree with my white light on half brightness, not looking in the tree. Chain the dog and then put my Red LED of medium and search tree. I then go brighter with Red LED and keep looking. I then try green and then end up on white about 50% brightness. Once i figure it aint loohing and i have to find fur or a hole i go full brightness.

I love Red and it works wonders for me..

Lots of trees down here have vines going up into them. If you can shake the vine and don't see the coon it probably isnt there. If no vine i beat on the tree with the back side of the machette. That works if you have someone with you searching while you tap the tree.

Last edited by on 02-05-2013 at 12:47 AM

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Registered: Apr 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 229

I like to start with red on lowest setting on the light - I like it so low that it doesnt even hardly show up on the tree. As soon as I am close enought to tell which tree the dogs are on or at least the general direction I just start sweeping the tree with the red light. See the majority of them way before I ever get to the tree. Dont even usually stop just slow up as walk the last little bit. If I dont see them then tie dogs up and try again but walk back a ways and circle around, especially if its a bigger tree. They can just flatten out on big branch or ball up in a crotch and if you are right underneath you'll never see them. If i cant get them to look at low red I go ahead and shine full bright white and search for fur. Havent had any look for past couple weeks now. They've been climbing out to the tips of the branches and look like theyre holding on to 4 different little twigs for dear life with noses up looking straight up even trying to hide their tails curled up under them. From the sound of the races recently the old boys are trying to make it home but getting their asses burned up and dont climb until the last second when they dont have a choice. A little before they tree the dogs sound like they are looking at the coon.

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Registered: Jul 2011
Location: tennessee
Posts: 2441

i asked my daddy when i was a little how come he always found the coon or squirrel before i did,he told me you got to know what to look for boy. i think theres a lot to what he said.lol

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Registered: Sep 2012
Location: Marion N.C.
Posts: 85

I usually look for a ticked up hound at the base of the tree, thats a good indication that the coons there, lol

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Registered: Apr 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 229

quote:

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Originally posted by skeets
i asked my daddy when i was a little how come he always found the coon or squirrel before i did,he told me you got to know what to look for boy. i think theres a lot to what he said.lol

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1839

I guess I'm in the vast minority but I blast the tree with my light on highest setting. I've never had a problem finding coons. Ever though I only pleasure hunt if someone's with me I always say "I got him right here" it is funny how many people new to hunting either can't see them and when they finally do see them spend half a box of .22's trying to hit them.

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Al Tarantella

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Registered: Feb 2012
Location: west virginia
Posts: 721

Most times I'll find the walking in with a dim light but if not and the leaves are on i squall with my mouth i don't use a squaller sometimes clap my hands when the leaves i always use a amber lense

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get in the dark and get hooked

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Registered: Jul 2012
Location: Odessa, Mo
Posts: 2066

Anyone cut the tree down?

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Starved to death by a S.O.B named Austin Tibbits.

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Matthew Fann
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Registered: Feb 2012
Location: west virginia
Posts: 721

No i don't if it makes it to a den it can live

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get in the dark and get hooked

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Registered: May 2008
Location:
Posts: 908

I dont have much of a method...

Leaves off, i am gunna take a quick look with no light then i am hitting the spot light...its either there or it aint...no sense looking for eyes with a dim light when a spot light will show the coon just fine and quicker...

Leaves on or pine trees etc i search with a dim light...usually still end up with the spotlight....

The entire time i am looking for holes...when i am done i will search those holes if possible...



Coon dont usually look here..if they do they are kits or in a spot ive never ran before...most the coon know my dogs name better than he does lol...

I also dont have luck with squalling, clapping etc....pulling on vines does usually work...


Pine trees and leafy messes i like to get the dog quiet and walk a ways away.and hit it with.a dim light....good odds of getting eyes then...


Like was said, you just gotta know what you are looking for and you'll find it...shapes, colors etc...and likely places for them to be...

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Registered: Dec 2008
Location: south carolina
Posts: 2635

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, LEASH UP THE DOGS AND WALK AWAY. ONCE FAR ENOUGH FOR THE DOGS TO QUIETEN UP, LOOK THE TREE AGAIN WITH A DIM LIGHT OR COLORED LENS COVER.

SEE YOU AT THE NEXT TREE.
- DR. GUMMY

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When God knew I needed a friend, He sent my dogs, when He needed a coondog, He took them back.
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Registered: May 2005
Location: Bellevue, IA
Posts: 1874

Dont know about you guys but; when I'm not hunting as hard as I should be it takes me a little longer to find them. When I'm hunting hard I seem to find them alot faster.

Maybe just more tuned into finding them.

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Registered: Apr 2012
Location: Charleston,SC
Posts: 24

If there is big mouth red dog at the base of that tree I don't even shine. Pet him up and move on. Take it to the bank with them red dogs!!

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PR Pee Dee River Murdock

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Registered: Dec 2004
Location: Harrison GA
Posts: 836

quote:

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Originally posted by Goffj
If there is big mouth red dog at the base of that tree I don't even shine. Pet him up and move on. Take it to the bank with them red dogs!!

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Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Mercer PA
Posts: 4837

quote:

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Originally posted by T Felderman
Dont know about you guys but; when I'm not hunting as hard as I should be it takes me a little longer to find them. When I'm hunting hard I seem to find them alot faster.

Maybe just more tuned into finding them.

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Ron Ashbaugh
CROOKED FOOT KENNELS

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Registered: Sep 2011
Location: indiana
Posts: 236

quote:

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Originally posted by rocky tanner
I have found the easiest coons to find are the ones that are actually there........

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Registered: May 2007
Location: fairmont wv
Posts: 11948

i always look up in the top of the tree 1st without a light see if i can see something like a big knot that shouldnt be on the limb then put the light on it then i start searching inthe forks looking for a tail hanging out sometimes thats all you will see when they really tucked in thight as far as using a squaller i have never used 1 use my mouth to squall not a pro but been doing it sense i was in my teens

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Registered: Jan 2010
Location: Anderson co Tennessee
Posts: 1944

with todays technology 45.00 squaller 500.00 light so bright see the limbs smoking garmin says treed quarry so its got to b there..go back to when i was a kid tried to beet everyone to the tree then old feller i was hunting with always sloww would walk up 10 min later say there it is lol using a 6 volt wheat light sure enuff seem to find m every time

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Registered: Jan 2013
Location: Central Alabama
Posts: 47

I've learned that I do not like the blue LED lights at all. Maybe my eyes are getting old but the blue spectrum makes the coons fur blend into the bark on hardwoods. The last two I shined for this week both were over looked by the blue lights but I spotted tail on the first and side fur on the second with my homemade 18 volt cordless drill battery feeding a late 90's model Prowler Pro.
It's not pretty but it puts out a clean white light that helps to emphasize the contrast on the tree, makes the coloring look natural and help my weaker than average eyes spot him.

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Calvin Elliott, Central Alabama.

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Registered: Dec 2008
Location: south carolina
Posts: 2635

I TOO, HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE LED LIGHT. I AGREE THAT IT MAKES THEM SEEM TO BLEND IN BETTER. I'VE BEEN USING ONE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AND MY EYES STILL HAVEN'T ADJUSTED. I DO LIKE THE FACT THAT I CAN HUNT ALL WEEK WITHOUT HAVIN' TO WORRY 'BOUT CHARGIN' THAT BABY. BUT IF THE COON LETS ME SEE HIM BLINK ONCE, I'LL FIND HIM OR GERTRUDE WILL.

SEE YOU AT THE NEXT TREE.
- DR. GUMMY

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Rip-Roarin' Redbone Kennel
It's gotta be RED!!!!
When God knew I needed a friend, He sent my dogs, when He needed a coondog, He took them back.
http://www.myspace.com/janetandbarrymorris

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Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Sugarcreek,Oh
Posts: 125

A friend of mine comes to the tree with his lights a blazing!! He can find the coon everytime!!! Also, I have never seen any that can shoot a coon out like he can!!!
I use the Bright Eyes 21v 5 led and have trouble seeing the fur if they're not looking. I turn on my spotlight and can see the fur way easier.

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TREE BLUE!

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