Raccoons in Montana: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

Raccoons favor riparian corridors and wooded areas near water. In Montana, they are most common along the Missouri River drainage, the Yellowstone River valley, and around the many reservoirs. They also thrive in suburban neighborhoods, farmsteads, and campgrounds. You are less likely to see them in high alpine forests or arid plains without water.

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so your best chances are at dusk, during the night, or just before dawn. In spring and summer, they are more active because food is plentiful and days are longer. During winter they reduce activity but may emerge on mild nights. If you camp near water, set up a quiet watch around sunset.

Start by looking for tracks: raccoon prints look like tiny human hand prints with five long toes and no claw marks. They often appear in mud along stream banks. Scat is dark, tubular, and usually found at the base of trees or on logs. Claw marks on trees and torn bark indicate climbing. Den trees with large holes, especially old cottonwoods, are a strong sign.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

The black mask and ringed tail are unmistakable. Raccoons are about the size of a small dog but walk flat-footed like a bear. Their tracks differ from skunks (which have longer claws) and badgers (which show more prominent claws). At night, raccoon eyes glow reddish and their vocalizations range from chitters to growls.

Raccoons are omnivores. They forage for crayfish, frogs, insects, berries, and bird eggs. In Montana they also raid cornfields and garbage cans. They are especially fond of ripe fruit in orchards. Watching a raccoon wash its food is rare but possible near slow-moving streams.