Racoons Early Warning System
Where raccoons venture, bears may follow
by By Diane Tipton, MTFWP
February 19, 2005
Raccoons, with their ringed tails and little bandit masks are unmistakable. Unlike bears, raccoons don't hibernate, so Montanans may experience a raccoon raid winter or summer.
These industrious creatures are intelligent, inquisitive, very adaptable and are excellent climbers. They eat fish, insects, small mammals, fruit, berries and corn-but like bears-they will seek out the easiest meal. If that meal is being offered on your back porch, around a barn or outbuilding or in your summer garden-a raccoon is sure to find it. Like a bear, raccoons will also eat pet food.
A raccoon can be a useful early warning system. If raccoons are giving you trouble now, they are pointing out areas that could also easily attract bears coming out of hibernation in late March and early April. Where a raccoon is feasting today a bear could be feasting in a month or two, so now is the time to make changes.
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