Question
HOW DO I TELL WHEN MY CANTALOPE ARE READY FOR PICKING,THE RACOONS SEEM TO KNOW BEFORE I DO,THANKS DAVE.

Answer
Dear Dave,
I live in the country and every wild critter knows better than I, when something is ripe!  My best recommendation is to put something around the plants, like chicken wire or pick them just a day or two before you think it's "the right time" and let them ripen in the window.  I've ripened a ton of things that way.  It's not quite as good as vine ripened, but it's close, and I don't have to share with the critters that visit for a midnight snack.  
You could set a trap for the raccoons, but then you have to deal with what to do with them, when you catch them.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Kindred
www.eingedi.us