No Section

Nov. 19, 1944: Times were tough; so was the meat

That's no pork roast going into Mrs. Vollmer's oven – it's a 30-pound raccoon shot by her husband, a Mankato-area farmer. The Minneapolis Tribune treated readers to a page full of photos of the overnight hunting, but couldn't spare room for a single recipe.

November 12, 2014 at 4:57PM

(Ben Welter/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The original caption is deliciously understated: "A 30-pound raccoon prepared for baking is put into the oven by Mrs. Vollmer. A 30-pound raccoon is considered large." Other adjectives come quickly to mind. (All photos here were shot by the Tribune's Wayne Bell)

(Ben Welter — Minneapolis Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Original caption: "The hunting party was composed of Irving Guentzel, David Wendelshafer (with dogs), Charles Vollmer (partly hidden), Fritz Ochler and Art Bochland, all farmers near Mankato. The hunt started at 8 p.m. and lasted almost until daybreak. Five raccoons were bagged."

(Ben Welter — Minneapolis Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

"Dogs are used by hunters, and here one has a raccoon treed. ... The raccoon is considered a valuable fur-bearing animal and can be hunted and trapped until the one-month open season closes Dec. 1." Minnesota's raccoon season now lasts nearly five months, ending in mid-March.

(Ben Welter — Minneapolis Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

"A raccoon pelt is thrown around the shoulders of Mrs. Vollmer by her husband. An average pelt brings about $7.00. The animals are hunted almost every night, weather permitting, when they are on the prowl for food."