Sage Rat Shooting in Washington

[Sliverslinger]

Here's the story, every Memorial Day weekend my buddy and I head down to Burns, Or. to shoot up some sage rats. We alternate years bringing 1 guest to go with us and this year I'm bringing my soon to be brother in law. However, after 12 years of not speaking or seeing him I've recently reconciled with my dad and I would like to take him to do something like this, just the two of us. Unfortunately with gas prices and lack of vacation time, I can really only afford the one trip. I've heard people say that there are places much closer here in washington where a guy can shoot up some rats but I've never heard anything more specific than "the east side." Anyone know if there  are places up here to go? Is the shooting as constant as it is down in areas like Burns and Crane?
Thanks in advance

[Special T]

Burns is the sage rat capitol killing area. Most places in WA don't let them get bad in the hay feild like they do in Burns.  You can likely find a place but arn't as likely to be as productive.

[doyourtime89]

When you go down to Burns, OR.  Are you going to private property or public?  I have always wanted to take my son and dad on a sage rat whackin trip but just dont have any idea where to do.  I have heard Eastern OR is the place to go but do you need to get on private land?  If so how easy is that?  Any help would be great.  Thanks

[Special T]

most of the great shooting is on private hay feilds. You can get acess by just asking in many cases, but some guides are tying up the land  on the really productive spots. Not sure what guide services cost, and i have not knocked an ony doors as i was invited to go to a friends place. My longest kill on a sage rat is about 160yrds with a 22lr and about 300yrds with a 17hmr. Some of the guys i shot with have used  more expensive guns like 22.250 or 220 swift, but i think they mainly mad an apperance to make sure they got a little work and were dialed in.

[Sliverslinger]

We go down to burns and crane and its always on private land. People down there are very different then around here. At first we just drove around until we saw a low cut field with several dozen heads sticking up then knocked on the door. The people down there are ridiculously hospitable for the most part and almost everyone has said to letting us shoot on their fields. the farmers love it when you kill them rats. Weve been given coffee,food, a shot of whiskey, Homemade wine , some have even offered to let us stay with them, etc.... Now we know the farmers and they know we come on the same weekend every year. Its really very easy to find a place to go, though I've heard that some farmers are charging now but theres always more farmers who will let you on. One piece of advice though, bring more ammo than you think you need. The first year I went I had 500 rounds of 17 hmr and 1100 of .22. I went through all of it and ran out early. I now take 1400 of 17hmr and four bricks of .22. If the shooting is not so good I'll burn a hundred an hour. When the shooting is hot, I go through ammo as fast as I can load it.

[Sidewinder]

I have had mixed results when going after sage rats in Oregon. They increased the price of a hunting license from $70 to $140 last year, not sure what it is this year. It is a $100 fine for not having a license. You can shoot them on private property without a license as a land owner's agent. Better have it in writing to avoid the ticket. I have had fast and furious times and only shot a couple at other times. They usually go down for the year in June or when the weather gets hot.