Predator Hunting

[LongBomb]

Hey y'all im looking for some good predator hunting areas. Coyotes, bobcats, and cougar. I know all honey holes are closely guarded secrets so im expecting some heat for this one. In light of a few recent topics/posts about controlling predators i figured i would posts this and see what turns up. General area to go or specifics, post on here or PM me.
Im not expert and wont be able to devout a lot of time this winter but would like to help as much as I can with taking out some predators. West side or central mainly.

[Onewhohikes]

If you find an area lacking deer or elk that's the place. Hold it that's the whole state

[LongBomb]

Interesting
I guess i expected a little more comments/interest.

[Longfield1]

I would love to do more predator hunting. Especially bear. Ive been looking at getting a few books that might help.

[jrebel]

Coyotes are literally everywhere.  Probably easiest to hunt in the open sage ground throughout the middle of the state.  Cougars and bobcats are everywhere too but usually are more concentrated in the wooded parts of the state.  The NE corner is completely overrun with cougars, bears, bobcat and yotes...but it is thicker country and a little harder to hunt unless you can access the lower agriculture fields.  I would bet most farmers / ranchers would welcome predator hunters after the deer and elk season is over.  knock on a few doors....worst they can say is no. 

[KFhunter]

 

by far the most effective way to coyote hunt the brush in the NE corner is bait


which isn't really great for those travelling to hunt compared to the sage brush open hunting. 

Even in the sage near cattle, setting up over a frozen to the ground dead cow is most effective if well hidden in a hay blind with thermal

colder the better!  hunt those cold snaps

[KFhunter]

another problem is getting bait, in the NE one has to drive a whole lotta miles these days to find a road kill at times

in the 90's I could have a fresh road kill about every 20-30 miles, or less!  (had it been legal to pick up that is)

[rainshadow1]

Back in the <$5 per gallon days, the technique was to drive (atv, dual sport, snowmobile, etc.) any road that got a skiff of snow on it within about 6 hours of the storm’s passing. Run as many miles of fresh snow as possible… absolutely amazing what you learn.

It’s still the best technique. Just more expensive.

How you go after the sharp teeth you locate is a whole other discussion!



Good for you, btw. Hoping more guys make special trips for predators these days. It’s the only way to counter the “self regulating” mindset of our current wildlife managers (and let human hunters back into management.) Predators (especially the big ones) need to die. They’re being protected and overpopulating.

[pickardjw]

I'll PM you a spot that I saw a LOT of cougar and bob scat last year. It's walk in timber company land. Calling would likely be the only way to hunt them in there. Depending on where you're at in Lewis county it might be pretty close to you.

[LongBomb]

I'll PM you a spot that I saw a LOT of cougar and bob scat last year. It's walk in timber company land. Calling would likely be the only way to hunt them in there. Depending on where you're at in Lewis county it might be pretty close to you.

Your inbox is full. Awesome thanks! I will give that a shot

[LongBomb]

Back in the <$5 per gallon days, the technique was to drive (atv, dual sport, snowmobile, etc.) any road that got a skiff of snow on it within about 6 hours of the storm’s passing. Run as many miles of fresh snow as possible… absolutely amazing what you learn.

It’s still the best technique. Just more expensive.

How you go after the sharp teeth you locate is a whole other discussion!



Good for you, btw. Hoping more guys make special trips for predators these days. It’s the only way to counter the “self regulating” mindset of our current wildlife managers (and let human hunters back into management.) Predators (especially the big ones) need to die. They’re being protected and overpopulating.

This is what I have been thinking of doing this winter. Im limiyed to walk, pedal bike, or ebike but Ive been thinking some fresh snow and putting on the miles would increase my odds.

[pickardjw]

I'll PM you a spot that I saw a LOT of cougar and bob scat last year. It's walk in timber company land. Calling would likely be the only way to hunt them in there. Depending on where you're at in Lewis county it might be pretty close to you.

Your inbox is full. Awesome thanks! I will give that a shot

Thanks, cleaned it up!

[hunter399]

You need snow .
Cut some tracks ,tell ya what's in your area in a hurry.
Follow those tracks for a few .....tell ya where there going,what they doing and all that stuff.
You can learn a lot by tracking.
Fresh snow always best.
If no snow ,setup to call in a spot where you can see them coming.

[LongBomb]

Thanks for the info guys.
Im going to go out on a limb here and say the whole predator problem comes across somewhat 2 faced.
This was a sincere request and also a test somewhat. Did I expect anyone to immediately give up their predator honey holes?? Absolutely not, they have spent the time to find these areas and figure out what works and what doesn't. Most of us have limited time to hunt and want it to be as productive as possible which means limit competition, as one of the factors.

On the other hand we cant scream that predators need to be thinned out yet stay tight liped about where they need thinned. I get it..its the entire state that needs help for sure. Also I know lots of people want to keep quiet because its where they deer/elk hunt and dont want to give that up. Completely understandable but how do we collectively curb predators?

I can continue to hunt my known locations and explore more by all means, thats what I have been doing. By default exploring leads to time spent unproductively working an area in some aspects. I am more than willing to share areas of where I have had success or heard of problems with predators, if that areas becomes unproductive..mission accomplished for the time being..movin on!

I know we (hunters) wont curb the problem by ourselves, DFW would need to change a lot (honestly who thinks they will change for the better??) but again I ask how can we collectively lower their numbers??

 

[KFhunter]

I disagree about the tight lipped aspect, the predators by their very nature are widely dispersed and occurring everywhere. 

Instead of this misguided notion that no ones wants help you..I suggest you help yourself and hunt the same places you hunt deer or elk, as there will be predators there.