Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: brklynELKchaser on November 09, 2010, 02:17:21 PM
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I am trying to get into predator hunting for something to do in the winter time after elk season. I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge about hunting for them on the Westside, especially on timberland etc. I have hunted a bit in Eastern Wa. but its a lot more open over there. I was wondering if anyone hunts this area and the tactics they use?
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Timberlands, State Land, wherever you can find clearcuts, and open area's. Just spend some time searching. Know your GMU's. They can be everywhere, and at times no where. Setup high as you can, be prepared, they can come in from all directions. There are times, they will completely ignore the wind, and come in from the Up Wind.
They take the easiest route in. Lots of Deer/Elk hunters out there, so be prepared to have people drive/walk-in. I avoid the timberlands this time a year because of this. Try and find private property to hunt, so you can avoid the crowds.
I use a Foxpro, set it out 50 yards, using pup distress, and watch all around, you never know where they will appear. Good luck, just spend time searching for hunting areas, and you will do fine.
LC
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sounds like we are in the same boat. i am just getting stated out here in the state. what basic area are you talking about in the west side? i am near the carnation and redmond area.
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Here are a couple westside yote stories.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,7414.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,7414.0.html)
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17319.msg197508.html#msg197508 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17319.msg197508.html#msg197508)
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after sunday modern Rifle i'll be after coyotes bobcats and cougar. there are a few Fox in the Monte area. :chuckle: hunt Farm edges close by. wynnooche Road perfect example. killef alot of coyotes and a Few bobcat's. hunt edges of clear cut's and watch the edges. they will be standing there. listen to Billy he doe's great on predator's. made my self call's this year. pretty cool. excited to start calling just to many people in the wood's this year. Rick ;)
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Thanks for all of the advice. I am in the Montesano area.
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I just went on my first coyote hunt this weekend outside of Moses Lake, saw a few but didn't get one. I live over in Auburn on the westside and would like to do some coyote hunting over here to refine my skills... just don't know where to go. I know the landscape is different but I want to go hunting again hahahahahaha! was my first hunt ever and I had a blast.
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Any general areas near Puyallup (south hill)? I'll be visiting the area and was thinking of going out with my brother to see if we could round some coyotes up. I'm familiar with the South Hill/Spanaway/Graham (and areas further out) from living up there in the past.
again, just looking for general areas, not coordinates :)
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Lastcat gives good advise ,
the only thing i would like to ask him is why set the caller out at 50 yrds in heavy cover?
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:)it all aint heavy cover and somethimes ya gotta set up to kill em when they cross openings on the way to the caller. There are loads of pasture areas that I call next to timber/brush lands. I set up to catch them on the way in not when they are in. make any sense??
Carl
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http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,25303.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,25303.0.html)
Get a high stump or view point...call brushy draws, or tree lines...and wish you lived in Eastern Wa.
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I personally think there's more yotes/mile in w.wa in some lowland areas, but tough to set up to see them well. I like some of the lowland clear cut areas, with lots of grass in them, and less salal and sticker bushes.
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Lastcat gives good advise ,
the only thing i would like to ask him is why set the caller out at 50 yrds in heavy cover?
I usually try and avoid heavy cover, its harder to see them coming in. I am usually in areas I can see at least 50 or more yards.
If in a clearcut, I find the highest spot, small hill, downed logs, something I can get up high and be able to see well throughout the clearcut. I look for an area that I can draw a coyote into, small clearing, road, field, any area that I have a clear shot. Then set the caller out about 50 yards.
Lastcat
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I am a total amateur but here is what my experiences have been. Calling in clear cuts does work but these west side dogs do not like to break cover. If you are trying to call them out of reprod or heavy cover be prepared to spend more time on a stand. I hunt mostly heavy cover. Spots where I might only have a couple 20-30 yard shooting lanes. I try to put my downwind side to a clearcut or road or something. I have had coyotes come in from the side because they were not willing to give up cover to get the downwind. I place the ecaller only 10-15 yards in front of me sometimes and just trust my camo and stillness to keep me from being seen. The problem with this tactic is that many times I see the coyote or bobcat only after it is very close and moving to get the gun on them busts me and they are back into cover within a fraction of a second. I need to practice trap shooting so I can get them with my shotgun in these situations. :chuckle:
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I haven't downed one yet myself, so can't really contribute anything worthwhile tactics-wise...
BUT
Over the course of doing my deer/elk/bear/etc hunting over here in the westside, I've seen quite a few tracks, scat/etc, very few were in or around clearcuts, the vast majority seemed to be along older logging roads. TONS of bobcat/coyote/few cougar
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I have bagged a few but none from the caller yet. I have been hitting some clear cuts to no avail so far, but I'm going to keep trying. I know they are out there. Most of the scat I see is on roads that travel through thick reprod. I'll report when I find something that works for me.
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Monday I am going to scout out some area just east of carnation and up in the hills. If I find some good general areas I will give you guys a heads up. Maybe even knock on some dairy farmer doors and blow some calls to see whats working out here. I am currently working on one older gentlman who constantly complains about bobcats and coyotes on his property. I feel like he is making me earn that key and enjoy watching me drool when he talks about how many are on his property. hopefully with time and getting to know him better, he will cut me a key to the gate. if there is anyone else in my area that is looking for coyotes, bobcats or just new places to hunt in my area let me know cause once I get my spit fire and santa drops off my tikka t3 its on!!!! :mgun2:
