Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: SimoneBird on December 06, 2022, 05:28:02 PM
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Hello all, I recently got my hunting permission and license for Fort Lewis. I've been looking for cottontails but no sign so far. I ran my dogs (they are trained rabbit dogs) but got nothing up. Not looking for anyone's spots but just wondering if their populations are down on the base or if I just haven't looked in the right places yet (though I have been hunting rabbits for 20 years so I would hope I know good rabbitat when I see it!). I also saw on an old post on this forum that there are snowshoe hares on base but wasn't sure if anyone has seen them recently. Any general tips or info appreciated. I'll keep looking, too!
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I don't have much help about rabbit populations on base. But in past being out there sightings have been minimal. The problem I see is coyote populations are so high there. But it can be hard to hunt them due to area closures or weapon and shot restrictions to effectively target the coyotes.
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In the years hunting and training out there I am having a difficult time remembering even seeing a rabbit. If you want to go to EWa I could suggest some places.
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Thanks for the info. Interesting, maybe their numbers just aren't that high on base. I'll keep looking around a big but it's too bad- there is lots of good habitat! GWP, suggestions in EWa would be great when you have time!
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Rabbits are just about any place on Ft Lewis where there are fields or patches of broom brush, and there are lots of them.
I hear what people say about hardly ever seeing rabbits and that is true, EXCEPT when using beagles. It helps if the broom brush patch has a two track through it so you can see the rabbits crossing. The rabbits are usually running about 20 to 30 feet ahead of the dogs, so when you hear the dogs coming be ready!
Usually you may see one or two while driving in the early morning.
I know It's not JBLM, but Skucomechuck had cottontails that we ran dogs on. Seen a lot of rabbit sign out at scatter creek, but never hunted it for rabbits. Good hunting!
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