Raccoons at Deer Camp: Keeping Them Out of Coolers and Feed

Raccoons raid deer camp because it is full of easy food: open coolers, trash bags, corn, and feed. Store food and corn in locked metal or hard containers, haul trash out every trip, and close the cabin and shed gaps before you leave.

In Texas, deer season runs from early November into January, and camps across the state fill up on weekends. Raccoons notice. By the second or third trip, many hunters are cleaning up torn corn sacks, chewed coolers, and a mess in the cabin. Most of it is preventable.

Why do raccoons target deer camps?

A hunting camp is a raccoon's best night of the week. Corn and protein feed are stored in bags and bins near the feeders. Coolers sit on porches and tailgates. Trash bags wait by the door for the drive home. The cleaning station leaves scraps and smells behind. And once everyone leaves on Sunday, the cabin or shed is quiet for five days, which makes it an inviting place to den. Raccoons can open simple latches, tear through feed sacks, and pull lids off coolers that are not secured.

How do you raccoon-proof camp?

Think about what a raccoon can reach on the first night and on the fifth night after you leave.

• Store corn and feed in sealed metal containers: Galvanized cans with locking or strapped lids hold up far better than sacks or plastic bins.
• Use latching coolers and keep them inside: Strap or latch cooler lids and bring them into a closed building at night.
• Haul trash out every trip: Leave nothing behind, including bags in the back of the truck or a can by the porch.
• Clean the cleaning station: Rinse tables and dispose of scraps well away from camp so smells do not pull raccoons in.
• Close gaps in the cabin, shed, and under floors: Check vents, skirting, and the space under raised floors, and seal openings with sturdy mesh once you know nothing is inside.

What about raccoons at the feeders?

Raccoons climbing feeder legs to clean out the spinner plate are a separate headache. Feeder guards, raccoon cages around the spinner, and smooth legs help. The bigger point for camp is that corn spilled under feeders brings raccoons onto the property, and from there your camp is the next stop. Keep the corn supply sealed and the camp clean, and the feeders become a less reliable reason to stay.

What do you do when you are not at camp?

Most of the damage happens during the week, when nobody is there to notice. A raccoon that finds a way into the cabin on Monday has four days to settle in. That makes the last hour of every trip important. Do a walk-around before you leave: food and feed sealed, trash in the truck, doors and windows latched, and no new gaps in the skirting or vents. Ask the landowner or a neighbor who lives nearby to let you know if they see signs of activity.

When should you trap at the lease?

If raccoons keep coming despite a clean camp, trapping may be worth it, with the landowner's permission. In Texas, raccoons are classified as furbearers, so check with Texas Parks and Wildlife on trapping and relocation rules before you set anything. The practical challenge is distance. Camp may be hours from home, and a trap set on Sunday still needs checking during the week.

How does OcuTrap work at a hunting lease?

OcuTrap uses cellular connectivity, so it works at the lease where there is no Wi-Fi. It sends a real-time photo alert the moment an animal is caught, and you can release a non-target such as a ranch cat from the app. That means a trap can stay set between weekends with someone able to respond to a capture.

Spend the season hunting, not cleaning up after raccoons. Learn more at ocutrap.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep raccoons out of deer corn?

Store corn in galvanized metal cans with locking or strapped lids instead of sacks or thin plastic bins, and keep them inside a closed building. Clean up spilled corn around storage areas. At the feeder, use a raccoon guard or cage around the spinner and keep legs smooth so they are harder to climb.

Can raccoons open coolers?

Yes. Raccoons have strong, nimble paws and can pull open loose lids and simple latches, especially on coolers left outside. Use coolers with latching lids, add a strap for extra security, and bring them inside a closed building overnight and when you leave camp.

Do I need permission to trap raccoons on a hunting lease?

Yes. You need the landowner's permission, and you also need to follow state rules. In Texas, raccoons are classified as furbearers, so check with Texas Parks and Wildlife about trapping and relocation requirements before setting a trap. Other states have their own rules through their wildlife agencies.

What should I check before leaving deer camp for the week?

Make sure food, corn, and feed are sealed in hard containers, all trash is in your truck, coolers are latched and inside, doors and windows are closed, and there are no new gaps in skirting, vents, or under floors. A five-minute walk-around prevents most weekday raccoon damage.