Racoons (at least WI raccoons) prefer sweets: fruits, candy, cookies, sugar.
Fish will also catch every feral cat hungry enough to overcome its cautious
nature, but cats aren't so attracted by sugar.
Raccoons equal troubles. They are extremely clever at outsmarting the usual
obstacles in their path and have nothing better to do. Their front feet are
used like hands and I swear they could learn to write if you took the time....
However, they cannot resist food, such as sardines or peanut butter, and
don't seem to be able to figure out the mechanism of a humane cage.
You can catch them easily this way and release them far enough so they don't
come back (farther than you think). A golf course facility may be another
option if you feel so inclined, so that they can forget about your orchard.
A dog that hunt raccoon is also a very good choice, as it will hunt at nigth
while raccoons are up about and you are blissfully sleeping.
Hélène, zone 3-4, where the populationn of raccoons is impressive due to the
proximity of a federal park with picknick grounds.