road hunting for coyotes on irrigation roads in eastern washington

[Jack Diamond]

OK, i"m new to this forum, but have seen a lot of hunters using the irrigation roads to hunt coyotes, and the standard thought is that these roads are public. They are not , they were built for operation and maintenance of the canal system, and the irrigation districts have easements ,conveyed to them buy the Bureau of Reclamation, however the underlying property owners own the property the roads are on, and with a recent outbreak of criminal activity, theft, and property damage, the farmers are watching these roads carefully. In fact there have been confrontations between hunters and landowners, and as always roadhunting is not the best way to make friends with landowners. If you want to call coyotes, talk with the landowner, and other than a few orchardist , who want the coyotes for mouse control, I have never in 20 years been turned down to call coyotes on private property. The landowners only want to know who is hunting on there property, and the vehicles driven. And more often now if they observe roadhunters and wild shots the sheriff"s office is called for a trespassing or firearms violations. We have a wonderfull and beneficial sport, it is a shame to have it messed up by people not yet grown up

[boneaddict]

Good heads up post.  I'd think they'd want the hunters there.  Less hoodlums when there are rednecks with guns hanging around

[Jack Diamond]

Actually its the rednecks with guns criminal element, not the rednecks with guns hunting element that is becoming more of the problem. however most of the irrigation canal roads will take you directly behind someones house and farmstead, and farm theft has become rampant at least in the Quincy ,Ephrata areas. And the farmers are reacting,as best they can. And the criminal element is born and raised here for the most part, in and out of jail while the arresting officer is still doing the report. Which does nothing more than causes the farmers to scrutinize everyone entering their property. To the point of blocking access to areas that have always been open, and you really can"t blame them. Tractors have been shot, combines and heavy equipment also , therefore roadhunters are being watched when possible.
The thefts have included farm equipment ,copper wire, radiators, virtually anything the dopers can turn to cash, and if the farmer can run them off , then things are vandalized, evidently in retaliation. It would appear that someone with that much energy would be better off to just get a job.

[Hayfmr]

Very well written.  You are absolutely right.  I personally lost several thousand dollars worth of copper wire last winter.  Plus the canal hunters drive right by my house.  Another problem I have is the trash dumpers.  Discovered today that I have had a bicycle donated to me.  So ask permission.  I have goose hunters calling me a lot.  I always give permission unless I know someone else is planning to hunt.  Here is a tip though.  Just because you have permission to hunt it does not mean you own the place.  Don't drive in the field unless you were specifically given permission.  Driving on some crops when they are frozen can kill them.  If you want to hunt coyotes I am tagging along:)

[demontang]

This is what I hate about how people are turning out. If I get on someone property you can bet Ill respect it, that is how I was raised and how Im raising my son. You can just go out and tear up things shot and not care whats there or just cause mayham. I have ran in to farmers/land owners that wont let me on just do to there past dealings with people. Ive been working a area on public land that is right next to a cattle farmers land that wont let people on. I have ran into the guy as I was driving the fence line in and talked to him and lets just say he was happy that Ive shot coyotes out of the area but didnt want me on his land just because he didnt want people just going out there if they saw me hunting.

[woodywsu]

The thefts have included farm equipment ,copper wire, radiators, virtually anything the dopers can turn to cash, and if the farmer can run them off , then things are vandalized, evidently in retaliation. It would appear that someone with that much energy would be better off to just get a job.

Copper wires are being stripped from circles everywhere in the columbia basin right now. I know of at least 6 circles that were hit over the weekend. To access the circles, the theifs have pulled down gates and columnar basalt. If you see something shady happening in a  field night or day, please look into it and report. Farmers are not blaming hunters, but hunters will take the fall by not being allowed to hunt these properties.

[VarmintVentilator]

Jack Diamond,  I myself am a land owner,  THANK YOU.   

[predatorpro]

so this is jack who from quincy? i grew up there my whole life and you are one of the very few peopl i know that dont drive canals i guess....and farmers do not own the canals just the fields around them the canals are owned by irrigation district, even tho farmers would like to think they own them they dont, farmers drive on canals as much as anyone else if not more and is still technically illegal and i could care less if they do its a canal!! i do agree with not shooting from trucks and what not but i dont think most the people out driving on canals are causing too many problems

[predatorpro]

i dont want to sound rude or start a argument cuz i probably know you if you are from quincy lol its a small town and yes i do normally ask for permission to hunt on anyones property luckily its a small town and already know who owns what so i dont really have to worry about it send me a pm if you want maybe we will have to go call some coyotes sometime i know some great spots on private property, just dont get mad if i have to drive on a canal to get there

[Jack Diamond]

Predatorpro-

i dont want to sound rude or start a argument cuz i probably know you if you are from quincy lol its a small town and yes i do normally ask for permission to hunt on anyones property luckily its a small town and already know who owns what so i dont really have to worry about it send me a pm if you want maybe we will have to go call some coyotes sometime i know some great spots on private property, just dont get mad if i have to drive on a canal to get there

You never know, might just meet you on the ditch roads ,while performing my duty.  

[trippledigitss]

P-pro, you told me they were all public roads!  Glad we didnt get a damn trespass ticket!  And Jack, dont bother, if you PM him he wont reply back to you anyway....  Dude, give me a call , I want to come check out your new place and get back out to shoot some stuff! I am a straight coyote killing grim reaper now doncha know? 

[predatorpro]

Predatorpro-

i dont want to sound rude or start a argument cuz i probably know you if you are from quincy lol its a small town and yes i do normally ask for permission to hunt on anyones property luckily its a small town and already know who owns what so i dont really have to worry about it send me a pm if you want maybe we will have to go call some coyotes sometime i know some great spots on private property, just dont get mad if i have to drive on a canal to get there

You never know, might just meet you on the ditch roads ,while performing my duty.  

are you a ditch rider or something? whats your duty?

[littletoes]

Predator Pro, your post came off as rude, regardless of what you meant.


Those roads, no matter who owns them are kept that way by the taxes those farmers pay, and Lordy do they pay taxes. Nuff said? Or do you in fact whant it to become a pissing match?

I've grown up in the country, and I know it ain't all city folks that are leaving cig butts in the roads, beer cans, trash. And I will GUARANTEE you ain't shooting all them 'yotes IN THE ROAD. They are out in the fields, ain't they???

GET PERMISSION OR STAY OUT.

[predatorpro]

Predator Pro, your post came off as rude, regardless of what you meant.


Those roads, no matter who owns them are kept that way by the taxes those farmers pay, and Lordy do they pay taxes. Nuff said? Or do you in fact whant it to become a pissing match?

I've grown up in the country, and I know it ain't all city folks that are leaving cig butts in the roads, beer cans, trash. And I will GUARANTEE you ain't shooting all them 'yotes IN THE ROAD. They are out in the fields, ain't they???

GET PERMISSION OR STAY OUT.

calm down i dont shoot coyotes or anything in fields that i dont have permission to shoot in, and if your assuming that i throw beer cans and cigarette butts everywhere your wrong, i have a deep appreciation for wildlife and dont go around throwing trash every where, dont sit on here and start making comment about me like that, and i dont really road hunt, 95 percent of the coyotes i kill are from calling on property i HAVE PERMISSION ON!!

[Bofire]

 :)I am absolutley amazed. Yep I am.
Carl

[FALFire]

Boogity, Boogity........................

 

[saylean]

I stayed in La Paz for two weeks back in the late 90's. They were trying to build some houses down by the water...the copper wires kept getting ripped off, so they could never complete the projects....

Good post. Ask permission.

[Bigtine96]

I dont see what good arguing on the internet is, You cant prove that he is shooting coyotes on the road and quite honestly even if he is who cares as long as he is making shots that are clear from houses/livestock. I dont approve of shooting from the road but its a damn coyote its not like its a buck or a bull its a stupid ass dog.

[predatorpro]

I dont see what good arguing on the internet is, You cant prove that he is shooting coyotes on the road and quite honestly even if he is who cares as long as he is making shots that are clear from houses/livestock. I dont approve of shooting from the road but its a damn coyote its not like its a buck or a bull its a stupid ass dog.

lol i like the way you think  i just cant stand when people act like the perfect hunter like they have never shot a coyote in a field out in the middle of no where but oh well your right no point in arguing about it on here, it just escalades and turns into some big stupid argument and we just start calling names and what not...

[littletoes]

You guys are right, and sounds like we are all on the same side.

The only point I would like to make, when holes turn up in signs, or garbage left out in those fields, when a fire is left unattended, or you find a fire ring in the woods with garbage in it like beer cans and bottles.....Who left it???

Not goody-tooshoo tree huggers, our own. The statement wasn't about shooting dogs at all, its about Trespassing.

I treat all lands as I would want my land to be treated. Ain't that all that its about?

Sorry for treating you badly Predator Pro, sounds like you might be one of the good guys. I am too. I don't drop garbage, and I've been know to stuff other folks stuff in my pack, I know some of it is by mistake.

[Jack Diamond]

Gentlemen; the original post was only attempting to point out the obvious, You can not turn onto a ditch road without driving past keep out -private road no tresspassing signs, posted by the various irrigation districts. In saying that they are not for use by the public, and it is considered tresspassing, regardless if you have permission of the farmer or not!
The second part of the original post was to inform of the changing mindset of the farmers and how they treat trespassers now with the increase in farm thefts and crime.
If you care check out Moses Lake Craigslist-Barter-Thieves.Nov 16 2010
Have no idea who posted this on craigslist, however most feel that law enforcement and the prosecuter"s office are ineffective, which I fear will lead to a severe "accident".
However most farmers are still willing to call the authorities and hope, but it is a poor time to be slowly driving past the back of a farmers house, haystack , machinery, or farmstead.
And I have seen farmers hearing rifle and pistol shots ,rush to investigate who is shooting and where.  Its just common sense folks ,these are trying times,
If someone was offended by the original post I am sorry, just an attempt to inform the masses.

[DaveR]

Jack..I took your post as little rant. Wether there is a need or not to point out the obvious. I dono. What I do see many times on a bunch of these internet forums is some touchy people. Its really easy to missinterpret what is meant in a post. I try to put some personality in many of my posts, and I have pissed more than one person off. What they don't know is that it isn't intended. Just a messed up attempt at humor. A lot of people get all puffed up way too quick. This is a harmless post, and I don't see why it would bug anyone.

Here is another opinion. Or call it a statement if you all want. What the heck is wrong with bailing out, and taking the easy one? I will bail out of my rig, and wack a coyote in a flat second. Not if it involves tresspassing. States were its legal. I lost track of how many tanks of gas I have gone thru road hunting vermin. Heck I have a table that mounts to my door window. I have so many shells on my dash, and floor ya need a shovel to clean them up. Many of you wouldn't like hunting with me with your take on the evil road hunter. Just sayin.... I like to hunt as much, or maybe even more than some of you, and when the easy one presents itself. I'm as guilty as it gets for taking advantage of a drive by. Laws, and safety apply......My rant for the day. Its a little off topic but my mix on all the posts. Ya don't have to be a knucklehead to shoot from a rd were legal to do so. Maybe I'm a azzhole.

[skynyr]

Jack..I took your post as little rant. Wether there is a need or not to point out the obvious. I dono. What I do see many times on a bunch of these internet forums is some touchy people. Its really easy to missinterpret what is meant in a post. I try to put some personality in many of my posts, and I have pissed more than one person off. What they don't know is that it isn't intended. Just a messed up attempt at humor. A lot of people get all puffed up way too quick. This is a harmless post, and I don't see why it would bug anyone.

Here is another opinion. Or call it a statement if you all want. What the heck is wrong with bailing out, and taking the easy one? I will bail out of my rig, and wack a coyote in a flat second. Not if it involves tresspassing. States were its legal. I lost track of how many tanks of gas I have gone thru road hunting vermin. Heck I have a table that mounts to my door window. I have so many shells on my dash, and floor ya need a shovel to clean them up. Many of you wouldn't like hunting with me with your take on the evil road hunter. Just sayin.... I like to hunt as much, or maybe even more than some of you, and when the easy one presents itself. I'm as guilty as it gets for taking advantage of a drive by. Laws, and safety apply......My rant for the day. Its a little off topic but my mix on all the posts. Ya don't have to be a knucklehead to shoot from a rd were legal to do so. Maybe I'm a azzhole.

One thing I've noticed is that it doesn't matter what you say on here, there's always going to be the one-upping hall-monitors jumping at the chance to waddle his finger at you and correct your evil ways.  I agree, too many *censored*bags proofreading in here.

[predatorpro]

a small town mentality as far as driving canals is just different then what most people think....everyone knows everyone ditch riders just wave at you as you drive by (unless your driving a subaru) then they know your not from here but your still right it is technically illegal to drive on them, i know a few farmers that have had stuff stolen from them, normally trying to steal copper or parts out of farm rigs so they can buy some meth   some one always has to ruin it for everyone

[gaddy]

Boogity, Boogity........................

 
[did i just see another nascar fan ?

[Bigtine96]

Jack..I took your post as little rant. Wether there is a need or not to point out the obvious. I dono. What I do see many times on a bunch of these internet forums is some touchy people. Its really easy to missinterpret what is meant in a post. I try to put some personality in many of my posts, and I have pissed more than one person off. What they don't know is that it isn't intended. Just a messed up attempt at humor. A lot of people get all puffed up way too quick. This is a harmless post, and I don't see why it would bug anyone.

Here is another opinion. Or call it a statement if you all want. What the heck is wrong with bailing out, and taking the easy one? I will bail out of my rig, and wack a coyote in a flat second. Not if it involves tresspassing. States were its legal. I lost track of how many tanks of gas I have gone thru road hunting vermin. Heck I have a table that mounts to my door window. I have so many shells on my dash, and floor ya need a shovel to clean them up. Many of you wouldn't like hunting with me with your take on the evil road hunter. Just sayin.... I like to hunt as much, or maybe even more than some of you, and when the easy one presents itself. I'm as guilty as it gets for taking advantage of a drive by. Laws, and safety apply......My rant for the day. Its a little off topic but my mix on all the posts. Ya don't have to be a knucklehead to shoot from a rd were legal to do so. Maybe I'm a azzhole.

One thing I've noticed is that it doesn't matter what you say on here, there's always going to be the one-upping hall-monitors jumping at the chance to waddle his finger at you and correct your evil ways.  I agree, too many *censored*bags proofreading in here.

Very well put and as far as im concerned im done with this thread

[hoosier85]

  why cant we all get along and go on a coyote killing spree

[littletoes]

a small town mentality as far as driving canals is just different then what most people think....everyone knows everyone ditch riders just wave at you as you drive by (unless your driving a subaru) then they know your not from here but your still right it is technically illegal to drive on them, i know a few farmers that have had stuff stolen from them, normally trying to steal copper or parts out of farm rigs so they can buy some meth   some one always has to ruin it for everyone

So right.....

Here's one to think about folks.....I now live on a lake with some wetlands. A guy brings his decoys, a black lab, and his son to shoot a few. I get the 'ol binoc's out, and watch a bit, and I notice the guy tipping up a flask, then after a bit he starts punching his dog. I mean full out punching on his dog. I have no idea why, but I can't help but think, "Geez, what an a$$hole, what's he teaching his son?".
I have some harsh feelings about this, and won't post 'em on here, but anybody that beats their kids, wife or animals is a total a$$clown in my book, especially if they do it in public.
Hall-monitor? Sure......somebody has to be.