Second raccoon

A few minutes ago, less than an hour before sunset, I saw something going down the shore line behind my house. I was hoping it was a muskrat that has chewed some of the floats under my dock but it was this 8 lb 5 ounce raccoon. My dog found it first and wanted to attack it. She's almost 40 lbs but I don't want vet bills. I shot it between the eyes with a 34 grain jsb pellet going a little under 800 fps. Raccoon dropped immediately but Cola, my dog shook it while it twitched. The last one was similar in size and took 3 hits from my 32 fpe P35-22 but the one that put it down was a shot between the eyes.

Should I skin it? I didn't mess with the last one because it showed up in the middle of the day and I thought it might have rabies. I think this one is healthy but tanning skins is a bit of work. I guess I could be like Jerry Jones (Cowboys owner) and eat it.
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mi
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It should be cool in a South Carolina garbage can overnight; in the morning, gut, skin and clean the carcass. Wear gloves. Pay attention to remove all gland-looking fatty things under the armpits, groin, neck and back. Jerry Jones isn't the only one, that's a good sized dinner for a family of 4. I find them on the better side of the game meat spectrum, like pork crossed with dark meat turkey. If you have to kill it, might as well try to eat it. Enjoy!
 

But, I would pass eating an urban or suburban raccoon, just eating your neighbor's recycled garbage! :ROFLMAO:
 
Thanks guys. I think I'll stick with squirrels.
I hear you, I've eaten G-hog many years ago a couple times done different ways . I can't say I liked it, just did it to try it. I've known many people that loved it as well as raccoon . Most "country" folk would be the typical consumer of those critters where I grew up. I no longer have the taste for any wild game & have basically given up on deer or black bear hunting along w/ most small game . The critters I take now get a trip to the farm cats , raptors/ vultures /predator spot or the compost pile.
 
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Any mammal can have or get rabies. However, certain animals are known to be ubiquitous vectors, namely raccoons and skunks (and feral dogs and any bat). Rabbits and squirrels are extremely unlikely hosts because they are unlikely to survive beyond being bitten by an infected predator. Skunks and raccoons, as much as I would like to skin out the raccoons I eliminate, just too dangerous IMO. I had to get the rabies shots due to a wildcat bite when I was a child, long story. Nick your skin skinning out a raccoon! Even with latex gloves. Armadillos taste better and due to their lower body temperature are also unlikely vector animals, they just have leprosy. Hoover Hogs, yummy!
 
Thanks. The stock on my P35-25 and P35-177 are from recycled church pews. Traditionally the wood was mahogany but I think this is luan. The nose piece is from my "killing tree" oak that fell over from root rot. I have a little wood from the Stump. It's highly figured.

I have a hunting license. In SC where I am you can get a lifetime license for a few dollars when you get old enough.