Raccoons got to where they weren't much of a problem at all for a while back in the late '70s - early '80s when their pelts were averaging selling for upwards of $25 - $30 + (which would be around $75 - $100 in today's dollars). Most hardcore 'coon hunters with thousands of dollars invested in hounds didn't like it though as the 'coon density dropped so drastically that it got to where it wasn't worth the effort and time to try to hunt them.
It wasn't just coons it was all furbearers. Pelt prices were high across the board back then. I remember getting 50.00 for jumbo coons, 40.00 for well furred grey fox, 60.00 for red fox and 9.00 for large river rats. Was common to run into other coon hunters out in the woods back then and everybody and their cousins was trapping or hunting for fur. Small game and birds flourished because of it and the rabbit/grouse/pheasant hunting was never better. Man, I miss those days.
