Varmint/Predator Hunting Questions

[skahorse]

Hey all-

Well I took the plunge a month or so back into what's affectionately called black rifle disease. I bought a Bushmaster AR-15, .223/5.56mm. With the exception of the occasional zombie infestation, and thwarting of terrorist plots, I've decided there's really not much in the way of hunting that you can do with these rifles. (Hunting is not the reason I bought the rifle, but could definitely be an added benefit.) I've recieved mixed response when it comes to deer hunting with this rifle. Some claim it's fine, head and neck shots only though. While others look down on it. IMO, to each his own, however, I don't think I'm comfortable with it at this point. Plus, there's tracking down a 5rd magazine for it, which can be a pain.

So, I keep coming back to predator or varmint hunting. It's one of the few hunting types that I haven't done, so I figured why not give it a shot. However, I don't know where to start... So I have several questions that need answering, and would appreciated any and all information you could give me. Here they are:

Varmint Hunting - What, when, where? I've heard of diggers, rabbits, prarie dogs, oppossums, and others. Can any of this be done on public land? Are farmers open to allowing hunters on private lands to kill these pests? Is this mostly an Eastside hobby? Or can you find some varmints on the westside of Oregon? I imagine you can find cottontails and opossums on the westside, but is there a productive way to attract these critters while hunting? Or do you just hike around for hours hoping to see one?

Predator Hunting - I know there's been Ifish organized hunts before, and if I remember right it was in the winter. Will there be one of these this year? What else is there to know about Predator Hunting? I've spent alot of time in the woods, and never once seen a coyote. I see Elk, deer, and other desirable game, but never a coyote.

One other concern. Being in the woods with a rifle during hunting seasons. I have an archery tag for elk and deer, so no rifle tag. I do have tags for bear and cougar. I'm liable to get hassled/fined by OSP?

Thanks in advance for any help. And if anyone is looking for a fellow hunter to tag along, let me know!

--Ska

[Hunt'nFish]

Hunting license required...you got that.
Calls, camo and a partner are all that's really needed. I'm a big believer in camo, even on the face and hands. Imagine your turkey hunting.

Varmints are to me.....anything unwanted some need tage other don't: coyotes, jack rabits, cougar, bear, wolf...(oops retract)he, he..... and we can't forget our grounds squirrels aka Sage Rat, Gray Digger, Picket Pins...otherwise know as the Richardson's Ground Squirrel. Or the Red Diggers (Columbian Ground Squirrel), rock&woodchucks.

Bobcat, Bear, cougar, & wolf...(opps retract)....all have special regs...he, he....so please read up on them so you don't "unknowingly" commit some ESA sin or something.

Calling coyote is actually pretty easy, getting a shot off on one is the hard part. Keen eyesight and very wiley. I use a remote tape player and take the high ground, but today it could be a MP3 player, CD, or any number of digital store bought units like the FoxPro.

Or you can blow mouth calls, I used mouth calls for years but have gone more remote simply because I'm not sure I want the predators coming in on my position. Yea, maybe just a little paranoid after hearing story after story of multiple cougars coming in on a caller. Certainly something you want to think about.

Some rabit calls sound very similar to a fawn bleat and if blown correctly sound just like a fawn bauling. These are #1 cougar/coyote combo calls. Coyote will come in on a distressed fawn everytime, but I don't think cougar will respond to a rabbit call as well. So if you want cougar & yotes..go with a fawn call. If all you want is coyotes, go w/ a rabbit.

Hopefully Skein and the guys will host another predator seminar. Put that on your calander it will certainly help fast track your predator hunting. Don't think that you have to go east to do it either. Coyotes & cougar are right here in the valley. most land owners are fairly supportive of predator/varmint hunting so just door/door and ask.
Good luck.
Hunt'nFish

[skahorse]

Thanks HnF! Anyone else out there have anything to add?

--Ska

[bearmanric]

Pretty much what Huntnfish said. use camo. no movement coyote's have very good eye site. watch the wind. i make custom predater call's. i have two Foxpro's in a week or so i'll have the new Fx5. i use them trying to call cougar's. use different sound's later in season they get smart. i'll have to get involved in these hunt's. it's alway's fun to meet fellow hunter's. best advise is to get a video. Randy anderson is the best for using hand call's. good luck. Rick

[Cornbread]

I use this type of electronic call:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Johnny-Stewart-Prery...1QQcmdZViewItem

or I use mouth calls.

I don't wear camo clothing but when I sit to wait I have a burlap camo blanket thing that I made that I wrap around myself. For me that camo's me and hides my outline and I don't have to spend a ton of money on camo clothing. I also wear a camo boonie cover and a head net or face mask.

I also use a decoy of some sort to take their focus off of me. I have one of those little furry ones that wiggles around.

[Rank Amateur]

I think you should just sell me your AR.

I'm thinking about going that route, especially for varmit hunting, that quick back up shot would be handy at times.

For me, varmit hunting helps keep me in the field all year. A week for deer and elk is just not enough. While I varmit hunt, I also scout for deer and elk. A cougar and bobcat are now high on my list and if I keep calling enough, it is going to happen.

Get a bipod or shooting sticks for your rifle, the gun needs to be up on your shoulder so you don't have to move much when a critter comes in. I wear a Ghuillie (sp) top and head piece, it definately makes you blend in. I do a lot of bicycling behind locked gates, it can get real lonely out there in the winter.

You have to have a lot of patience and gear up to be comfortable in cool weather. Most the time on the westside the dogs are hard to come by, but again I'm still learning and like most game animals, there are certain areas that produce time after time. I think it is fair to say, a third of the battle is calling in a varmit, the next third is getting a shot and the last third is making the shot. It definately helps to have a round in the chamber (note to self).

In regards to being legal during hunting seasons, I believe (please check the regs.) that you are ok to varmit hunt during other hunts, except for controlled buck, controlled bull and some controlled cow and certain antelope units. So you could varmit hunt during the bow season, a general buck season, general bull season and most westside cow hunts. Personally, I try to avoid hunting at these times, just as I would hope others would avoid hunting when I am putting the leather to the ground for a very few days while pursuing bucks and bulls. I have hunted during cow hunts, because most hunters are not going to go far behind a locked gate for a cow and those hunts sometimes last forever.

Varmit hunting just makes for a great excuse to be in the field and if your lucky like me, you will hook up with a great guy like Rusty. Varmit hunting has brought me a new friend, new insights and lots of fun riding his ATV over 100's of thousands of acres of private land.