getting started predator hunting

[zach318]

Hello i have been lurking around this site for a while now and got some good info from you guys. So I just got another new rifle and I am itching to get into predator hunting lately. I live in cowlitz county and I'm in the 530 GMU. Are the electric calls legal in Washington? What kind of mouth calls do use and then how do i find out how to use them? I would like to start with coyote and work my way into bear and cougar. Any tips or advice would be great this is a new thing to me so I have some learning to do. thanks everybody.   

[stumprat]

Yes electronic calls are legal, and much easier to get started with in my opinion.

[billythekidrock]

Yes, they are legal for now, but that could change in the next couple years. We need to keep our ears open to head off any changes.

[rasbo]

Im old school,dont use any electronics.Thats just me! Practice at home some before ya go out there and educate the dogs.Good luck its a lotta fun

[AWS]

I'd pick up a couple of pred. hunting books, Ron Spomer and Gerry Blair come to mind.  Read the sections on stand location and using the wind reapeatedly.  If you have a good stand and understand how the wind carries scent you'll be many steps ahead.

AWS

[deaddog]

one other source for great info on calling technics is Randy Andersons DVD,s he is a great caller and shares a lot of info.

[Bofire]

Aint any different than any other animal cept you are hunting the animal that kills those animals!!
I disagree with the videos, I have never learned anything form one and find them boring. go hunt. make yer own.
electronic calls are great cause the sound is away from you, not in yer mouth. either work just fine.
watch the wind, I like to call cross wind, not up or down. my favorite sound is pup whines. then birds. I dont think copyotes  sit out there hear a sound and say "why that sounds like a wounded bunny" I think any stressed sound that is not normal will work, I think high pitched work better.
Watch your approach, stay low, use camo. dont give up.
Carl

[zach318]

thanks for the replies everyone I got a couple mouth calls today and a randy anderson DVD. I will keep at it.

My new .308 DPMS that I am itching to try out on a animal. I have been out punching paper with it and it is a ton of fun. I have the recommended barrel break in done so its game time.

[deaddog]

Aint any different than any other animal cept you are hunting the animal that kills those animals!!
I disagree with the videos, I have never learned anything form one and find them boring. go hunt. make yer own.
electronic calls are great cause the sound is away from you, not in yer mouth. either work just fine.
watch the wind, I like to call cross wind, not up or down. my favorite sound is pup whines. then birds. I dont think copyotes  sit out there hear a sound and say "why that sounds like a wounded bunny" I think any stressed sound that is not normal will work, I think high pitched work better.
Watch your approach, stay low, use camo. dont give up.
Carl

   Guess I aint a born pro like you. Ill learn from any source i can.

[deaddog]

sweet lookin shooter you got there. anytime you want to try the dry side, give a shout.

[demontang]

Ar's make great stand guns, quick follow up shots and if its a 16" barrel they are very easy to move around in tight areas. I have learned a lot online but there's nothing better then to have someone take you out and show you the ropes.

[Bofire]

 :)dead dog, I dont understand your response, I thought I gave you good advice. I have watched loads of videos, I do  not understand why anyone buys them. But then I do not understand why people watch TV at all, it sucks.
I gave you the advice I had to learn on my own.
To repeat, sneak in, camo up good, watch the wind, dont move, the exact sound is not important. hunt alot, dont give up.
it really is that simple.
Carl

[deaddog]

:)dead dog, I dont understand your response, I thought I gave you good advice. I have watched loads of videos, I do  not understand why anyone buys them. But then I do not understand why people watch TV at all, it sucks.
I gave you the advice I had to learn on my own.
To repeat, sneak in, camo up good, watch the wind, dont move, the exact sound is not important. hunt alot, dont give up.
it really is that simple.
Carl

  you seem confused, I didnt ask for advice, zack318 did. I only suggested the randy anderson dvd to him because I have learned from it. you pop up with you dont understand why bla bla bla. You may have very good advice, that does not mean its the only good advice. the first thing anybody should learn is there are countless methods to learn ,if you close your self off from the possibility off investigating them you only cheat yourself!  It seem to be getting very popular to attack folks on this site, i felt thats what you were doing by discounting my advice.   no big deal, have a great day!

[bearmanric]

when i sell a call openreed. i tell the person to call me or watch a Randy anderson video great advise. i have several new video's. been watching them the last few night's i learn something new everyday. i met Randy Anderson and Rick Palait. they came over to my booth at the predtaor expo. very cool guy's very laid back. video's and book's. so much to learn. Rick

[rasbo]

I'd pick up a couple of pred. hunting books, Ron Spomer and Gerry Blair come to mind.  Read the sections on stand location and using the wind reapeatedly.  If you have a good stand and understand how the wind carries scent you'll be many steps ahead.

AWS

Blair cracks me up,ya see him wearing a santa suit out there punching dogs

[snipekillr]

NIce gun

[bearmanric]

i went to a pizza place at the predator expo. i walked in to see were every one was. and there was  mr. blair and his wife. i told him he was my idol. kinda made a fool of my self.  :yike:but every one there knew how much i'm into the predator world.he hung out at the Foxpro booth.i got his to book. pretty cool. Read it while bear hunting this year. Rick

[Gutpile]

I think the videos are great. I think they are entertaining to say the least. I love them. Yes you can pick up info from them. Howling is a biggy. Go howl wrong and you've just screwed yourself if you pop off with a warning howl or something. When I started hunting I read a book, a bunch of magazine articles and lots of videos. It just adds another visual dimension to learn from. Some kind of suck but anything with Randy Anderson is good. I call in quite a few yotes but still enjoy the hell out of the videos.

[huntnphool]

Nice looking rifle, my daughter uses an AR platform as well for yotes. I would suggest going with someone like tlbradford, someone like this could teach you more in a couple days than you would learn in a year reading books. Nothing like hands on training IMHO.

[saylean]

Thats a sweet pic...I wonder how many kids can say they get to blast away on an AR?

awesome.

[DeKuma]

Where has TLBradford been lately??

[billythekidrock]

Where has TLBradford been lately??

Funny..that has been asked in the Mod forum as well. I think he is out hunting.

[sisu]

Getting started...yep I fit that definition. After the last walk looking for pheasant I want to dispose of as many coyote and raccoon as possible. I have good camo, a call, two good varmint rifles and am currently reloading some ammo for both. Don'T really know diddly about shooting coyote other than if the opportunity happens I'll take a shot. Well, that being said as soon as I get fed up with upland ,waterfowl, and late archery I'll be ready.

[rasbo]

Getting started...yep I fit that definition. After the last walk looking for pheasant I want to dispose of as many coyote and raccoon as possible. I have good camo, a call, two good varmint rifles and am currently reloading some ammo for both. Don'T really know diddly about shooting coyote other than if the opportunity happens I'll take a shot. Well, that being said as soon as I get fed up with upland ,waterfowl, and late archery I'll be ready.
[/quote\] Are you guys getting coons during the day

[demontang]

I have never seen a coon during the day

[Sagedawg]

 I saw 2 opening dat of deer season. It was about 9am. Funny thing was thats the first time I have ever seen them there, and Ive been hunting that spot for the last 10 yrs. Hope th get one for a rug later this year.


  Sage

[sisu]

Are you guys getting coons during the day?

In the area hunted first I've seen them crossing the road just before sun up and just as the sun is starting to set if I stay that long in the area. There is excellent cover, lots of berries, there used to be a fair number of pheasant but now I only saw ONE turd, so who knows on that end of it any more.

[rasbo]

Are you guys getting coons during the day?

In the area hunted first I've seen them crossing the road just before sun up and just as the sun is starting to set if I stay that long in the area. There is excellent cover, lots of berries, there used to be a fair number of pheasant but now I only saw ONE turd, so who knows on that end of it any more.

I cant remember ever seing one during the day.Ive never hunted them,guess I was wondering if ya could call em out during the day

[Chet43]

I did not know we had a preditor expo in Washington state. Where and when is it held?

[Big10gauge]

I did not know we had a preditor expo in Washington state. Where and when is it held?

Wouldn't that be nice to have one here, Rick was referring to the one in Kansas City.