Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: JH on February 10, 2010, 10:45:56 PM

Title: Calling in the rain?
Post by: JH on February 10, 2010, 10:45:56 PM: I know most guys don't like going after coyotes when its raining because of low success rates but how much rain is enough to turn you guys away? Do the dogs still come in if there is a light rain or snow?

-JH
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Shootmoore on February 10, 2010, 11:26:48 PM: When I lived on the east side, I usually did well when it was snowing lightly, especially if there was a good snow coming on. It seemed to get them moving and looking for lunch prior to the snowstorms. Rain I don't know anything about, I am a fair weather yote hunter now on the wetside, really cuts into my time afeild.

Shootmoore
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: tlbradford on February 11, 2010, 09:25:57 AM: I am a fair-weather coyote hunter too. I have had luck in light mist situations, but haven't called enough in the rain to even give an educated guess.

I will hunt when it is snowing and that doesn't seem to reduce their activity at all, unless it is really dumping.

I do believe in wild swings in barometric pressure, rising or falling, increases their activity.
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on February 11, 2010, 09:36:26 AM: Quote from: tlbradford on February 11, 2010, 09:25:57 AM
I am a fair-weather coyote hunter too. I have had luck in light mist situations, but haven't called enough in the rain to even give an educated guess.

I will hunt when it is snowing and that doesn't seem to reduce their activity at all, unless it is really dumping.

I do believe in wild swings in barometric pressure, rising or falling, increases their activity.
I agree- I struggle in rainy weather. Light snow is not so bad.
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: uplandhunter870 on February 11, 2010, 04:44:31 PM: ive had decent luck during light to medium snow. i hate hunting in the rain for several reasons slipping on wet rocks, sitting in the mud, trying to get water out of tight spaces on my rifle the list goes on but guys that i know that hunt no matter what never really do any good in rain thats much more than a sprinkle
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Mudeater on February 12, 2010, 05:59:44 AM: I have called a few in the rain but the odds seem low, but I love calling in the snow, light to medium snow fall and I dont care about the temp, called alot of dogs in when it was below 0 degrees, I absolutly love watching a dog coming fast to my call, snow flying off the yote. Damn I hate this no snow winter, nothing but rain here.
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: bonecrusher on February 13, 2010, 07:30:13 PM: rains tuff because the call cant be heard as well and dogs (just like your dog) don't like to be out in the rain. bad combo because if they cant hear the call your not going to draw um out of there shelter. i still hunt in the rain i just get closer than normal to there home. ups the odds of being busted :dunno:
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Slideshow86 on February 13, 2010, 08:47:41 PM: I have been very busy lately and have been hunting in the rain. I read somewhere that it isnt great when its raining, but good in between showers.

Yesterday I picked up a new call ( Im too broke to buy a nice e-caller and keep it feed with battery's) and was looking forward to trying it out. When I got up it was clear but when I got half way to the spot it began to rain pretty good and stayed steady.When I arived it was still raining and pretty damned windy but still working to my favor. I waited for the rain to just about clear before I left the truck. I sat down and waited for the weather to clear. I deemed this place difficult because there is nothing but a gravel road to hunt, and they only use it to travel.

I could see about 300 yards down the road and when the rain was clear and there was enough light for 200 yard shot I started calling. After 10 mins of intermittent calling I see 2 yotes trotting around the corner. They stop about 250 out so I blew a few more and they looked rightat me and kept coming. They stopped again at 150-175 and the larger male (in the back) decided it was time to wind me. Now my cross hairs are aimed to the smaller (female?) up front. She was almost off the road when I made a mouth squeek. She stopped with enough time to let one go AND I MISS :dunno: I dont know how but im sure I shot high. Oh well, either way it was a blast!
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Mudeater on February 13, 2010, 10:00:51 PM: Man, that was a good story, had me on the edge of my seat and ready to go do some calling in the rain. good post!
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Slideshow86 on February 14, 2010, 05:09:49 PM: ....Story, Hell you should have been there :o

I sure wish I could have brought one home though. Any who, I just got my tax return and went and picked me up a nikon 4.5x14x40 buckmaster scope and nikon 550 rangefinder. I actually just walked in the door from sighting it in at 100 and I shot a few at 200 to see how nikons BDC (bullet drop compinsation)works. Its actually pretty good with my 223.

Oh and while I was out I found a killer spot they just reopened to hunt. I know where im going for the next little while :brew:
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: bonecrusher on February 14, 2010, 05:24:02 PM: went rain calling this morning. and thats mostly what we called in. one did come in behind us, the only reason i know is walking back out the trail there was a nice fresh pile of scat in the middle of the trail not 30 yards from where we were. sneaky little buggers
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Slideshow86 on February 14, 2010, 05:31:37 PM: Where abouts this wet state are you guys?
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: bonecrusher on February 14, 2010, 05:34:03 PM: pierce county
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: rasbo on February 14, 2010, 05:40:16 PM: Ill will be dinking in there tomarrow..wtf looks like cool mornings in there..
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: bonecrusher on February 14, 2010, 05:42:50 PM: plan on hitting the cats next weekend. im hoping for some dry cool weather so maybe somthing can hear the call :bash:
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: rasbo on February 14, 2010, 05:43:54 PM: Quote from: bonecrusher on February 14, 2010, 05:42:50 PM
plan on hitting the cats next weekend. im hoping for some dry cool weather so maybe somthing can hear the call :bash:
if it holds the weekend looks good
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: Slideshow86 on February 14, 2010, 06:24:10 PM: I'm over here in thurston county right in the edge of pierce.

If you guys ever want some company I normally work alone but would live to snipe a cat or three.

Next weekend is looking good!
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: bonecrusher on February 14, 2010, 06:41:17 PM: it going to be a long week if the weekends looking good :bash: ill be up there both days if thats the case. wish i could get away fromn work but im swamped
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: jamesjett on February 15, 2010, 11:48:52 PM: Its been quite awhile since I have been out calling. I used call dogs in often in Eastern WA and Eastern OR. Calling in the rain seems to be a bit more
challenging as it can dampen the volume of your calling efforts, kind of like calling in higher winds. I have had most of my sucess on calm cold days.

It seems calling is best just before a weather front moves in or just after. Try and get out during the rain breaks. Probably information you already know but thought I would throw in my two cents! This time of year is a bit more difficult as the females will go into heat towards
the end of Feb.
Title: Re: Calling in the rain?
Post by: jasnt on February 16, 2010, 10:19:59 PM: made 3 stands today( in the rain) had plenty howling back and two old males challenge me for almost an hour but never got to see a single dog. i did see some big does and a spike with one antler.