collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Snowshoe/Cottontail questions  (Read 2166 times)

Offline Spearo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 11
  • Location: Seattle
Snowshoe/Cottontail questions
« on: October 10, 2017, 11:25:43 AM »
Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anybody had any tips for hunting snowshoe and cottontail hares in Western Washington. So far I have walked the logging roads in the Olympic national forest, and have seen some upland game birds but no hares of any kind. I'm new to land-hunting, and I know not seeing something doesn't mean it isn't there, but I also don't know if I'm even looking in the right place. I know last year was a bumper year for rabbits, so I'm assuming the problem has more to do with my novice stalking skills and less to do with rabbit populations, but that being said a gentle nudge in the right direction would be very much appreciated.

Thanks for any and all help in advance, cheers.

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14555
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: Snowshoe/Cottontail questions
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2017, 12:16:52 PM »
Early mornings and late evenings.  Find areas with big blackberry thickets along the road and with green grass along the side of the road.  Hunt in the snow too.  They leave tracks that you can follow.

Offline JeffRaines

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2014
  • Posts: 539
  • Location: Roy
Re: Snowshoe/Cottontail questions
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2017, 12:19:35 PM »
I've seen the most on the roads right after a rain around sunrise. You can check around old roadbeds(read - roadbeds that are not drivable and barely walkable, even better if they're barely visible/not marked on a map but you can see these roads on Google Earth). I've seen them on or around those, usually when I don't have the right weapon with me  :chuckle:

Offline Spearo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 11
  • Location: Seattle
Re: Snowshoe/Cottontail questions
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2017, 02:41:23 PM »
I've seen the most on the roads right after a rain around sunrise. You can check around old roadbeds(read - roadbeds that are not drivable and barely walkable, even better if they're barely visible/not marked on a map but you can see these roads on Google Earth). I've seen them on or around those, usually when I don't have the right weapon with me  :chuckle:

Cheers man, really appreciate the tips. I think the roads Ive been walking are too active, so Ill use google maps to hunt down some better ones. Thanks again.

Offline Spearo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 11
  • Location: Seattle
Re: Snowshoe/Cottontail questions
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2017, 02:42:53 PM »
Early mornings and late evenings.  Find areas with big blackberry thickets along the road and with green grass along the side of the road.  Hunt in the snow too.  They leave tracks that you can follow.

Alright, Ive been going in the mid-afternoon so Ill start going out earlier or in the evenings. Thanks for the info.

Offline 7mmfan

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+7)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 5499
  • Location: Marysville
    • https://www.facebook.com/rory.oconnor.9480
Re: Snowshoe/Cottontail questions
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2017, 02:53:59 PM »
Definitely early and late. I walk a well used walking trail by my house and I'll often hear them in the hour's up to dusk, and then in that last hour or so of light I'll start seeing them, sometimes lots of them.
I hunt, therefore I am.... I fish, therefore I lie.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Bear Season 2025 by ganghis
[Today at 04:45:19 PM]


Please Comment on new Game management Plan, RE Furbearers by Ric0
[Today at 04:25:35 PM]


American Legion Summer Raffle - $1000 Prize!!! by pianoman9701
[Today at 03:26:26 PM]


Skyline by Ricochet
[Today at 03:15:52 PM]


AUCTION: Custom knife by Alden Cole by Dan-o
[Today at 03:10:35 PM]


Velvet by Ricochet
[Today at 03:09:38 PM]


Still no bears by RockScar
[Today at 02:49:55 PM]


GROUSE 2025...the Season is looming! by Dave Workman
[Today at 12:54:35 PM]


Scope/mount options Ruger Ranch 5.56 by Westside88
[Today at 12:25:46 PM]


Anti-Snagging Rule ? by KNOPHISH
[Today at 11:29:59 AM]


Stone Glacier packs by pickardjw
[Today at 11:12:41 AM]


Cougar Tips by Deer slayer
[Today at 10:01:19 AM]


It's Starting by nwwanderer
[Today at 08:16:10 AM]


Beaver Traps 4 Sale by Katalla
[Today at 06:12:26 AM]


Koro Traps 4 Sale by Katalla
[Today at 05:29:58 AM]


Ten Years, and still plugging along by Dave Workman
[Today at 03:58:36 AM]


Bass Pro Strikes Again by Rat44
[Today at 02:59:17 AM]


Looking for a hunting partner by vincepnw
[Yesterday at 10:51:51 PM]


Lund Fisherman 1800 info/advice by lewy
[Yesterday at 08:43:58 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal