A Raccoon Catches My Scent Near French Lake

A raccoon catching my scent gave me something to watch early one evening near French Lake. I had set up along a creek in Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The wind was not in my favor.

Watching a raccoon catching my scent

The raccoon walked out of the woods and came toward me before turning toward the water. I wondered how long it would take to notice my presence.

Raccoons have a keen sense of smell. They also use their sensitive front paws to help find food. This encounter gave me a chance to watch one appear to follow a scent through the air.

It didn’t take long. The raccoon raised its head, held its nose high, and began turning toward my position. From what I could see, it seemed to have caught my scent.

I found the head movements fascinating. It kept testing the wind, then turned its face toward me. At that point, I felt sure it knew where I was.

Finding the raccoon in the creek bank

After looking my way, the raccoon walked a short distance and disappeared over the creek bank. I waited a few minutes, hoping to see it come into view on the other side. It never did.

I decided to leave that spot and look for a better position. As I walked away, I spotted the raccoon watching me from a hole in the bank.

I took a few photographs before it turned and moved farther into the hole. That was my last look at it.

A darker coat and a change of position

Its coat also caught my attention. This raccoon looked much darker than the ones I am used to seeing near my home in Arkansas.

For a different example, take a look at my Cinnamon Raccoon In Oklahoma. That encounter involved a much lighter-looking animal.

After this raccoon disappeared, I wanted a spot where the wind would carry my scent away from the woods. If another animal came out along the same route, I hoped to watch it without giving myself away.