The New Huntmastersbbs!: Introduction and Question

This is topic Introduction and Question in forum Predator forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.

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Posted by Blackjaw (Member # 1544) on October 22, 2007, 07:33 AM:

Hello Eveyone,

I've been a member here for several weeks, but this is my first post. I was told by the person who mad me aware of this site that this is where alot of the real coyote hunters hang out, so i've been a little hesitent to post.

Anyway, I live in Western Washington but hunt both Eastern and Western Washington. I have had fairly good success thus far on both sides of the state. I normally use a shotgun when hunting in Western Washington as it is rare to see a predator in the forest before it is in shotgun range. I am thining about changing to a shotgoun as my go to gun in eastern washington as well as eventhough you normally see the dogs from a long way away most i've called eventually end up in shotgun range.

So my question to those who hunt the desert is, do most of prefer to use a shotgun or rifle (assuming you want to carry one at a time)?

Thanks,

Blackjaw

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on October 22, 2007, 08:49 AM:

I'm no expert by any means but I do like to throw my $.02 in once in a while. [Big Grin]

I've only hunted the desert a few weeks, and am pretty used to the hardwoods of Missouri.

I have only carried a rifle when I hunt out west. There have been times where a shotgun would have been damn nice to have. But since I carry a rifle I tend to avoid the really thick stuff sometimes.

Of course here at home I carry a rifle too. Perhaps I ought to carry a 12 gage once in a while. I hunt purely for the thrill of the hunt, so when a coyote gets away every now and then, so be it. I'll hunt it another day.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 22, 2007, 10:51 AM:

Welcome to The New Huntmastersbbs.com, Blackjaw. Glad to have you on board.

I think the key to making the right choice is what kind of cover you like to sit in. If you can't see past fifty yards, that's suitable for shotgun. If I can see them approaching while on a hillside from more than a hundred yards, that's where I will shoot them with a rifle.

I don't like them too close, if I only have a rifle. I have been known to pack both a rifle and shotgun to a stand, at times.

There's no correct answer; you will have many regrets before you are through with your career, and a lot of those regrets will be about the type of armament you carried on stand.

Good hunting. LB

PS "real coyote hunters"? Hell, I thought we were PAKMAN's? Well, at least we know it wasn't Glenn that sent ya?

Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on October 22, 2007, 01:51 PM:

Quote; '......most I've called eventually ended up in shotgun range.'

I would say that you answered your own question.

Points to ponder;

(1) Rifle; Coyote pops up coming in at 200 yards. "There he is!!" Coyote stops at 150 yards. Bang-Flop. Now you have to walk 150 yards out into the sagebrush, find the coyote, and carry it back 150 yards.

(2) Shotgun; Coyote pops up coming in at 200 yards. "There he is.... watch him...... ok..... ok.... where'd he go?!?!...... there by the bush!!...... get ready..... not yet.... not yet..... BOOOOM!!!!

It just seems more exciting watching them come all of the way in. Yes, I do lose one to the downwind now & then but it's more than made up for when while watching one come in, a second one is spotted coming in also. Now that gets interesting at close range.

Note: None of my comments apply to ADC, contests, or high dollar fur years. I'm mainly a recreational caller.

Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on October 22, 2007, 04:59 PM:

I carry a rifle AND let them get into shotgun range, if they so choose. My rifle shooting is much better at 50 yards than it is 150 or 200 yards.

Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on October 22, 2007, 05:15 PM:

You can call coyotes in western Washington?

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on October 22, 2007, 06:01 PM:

Cdog90210, you can call coyotes anywhere you want in WA. The only caveat is that they cannot be called if they KNOW they are in Western WA. The coyotes have a sixth sense that goes off as soon as they cross the line from central to western WA. Suddenly they shut up, become un-hungry, un-horny and un-curious. Rumor has it that the opposite is true with humans. As soon as a man or woman crosses that line they become very hungry, very horny and bi-curious.
WHAT WAS THE QUESTION?
Shotguns are for the birds. Unless you are Leonard or the Beastmaster or Les and Jeff Johnson and.......

Posted by Norm (Member # 240) on October 22, 2007, 06:28 PM:

Blackjaw; Welcome to Huntmastersbbs.

Your choice of weapon, as you already know, is dependent on the surroundings of your setup. There are alot of people that love to see the 100 - 200 yds. There are others that love to not see more than 50yds.

Some hunt exclusively with shotguns and take as many or more coyotes in a year as those that hunt with rifles.

Align your weapon choice with the terrain you are presented and you will do well.

Posted by Blackjaw (Member # 1544) on October 24, 2007, 10:26 AM:

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

I'll try using the shotgun more in E. Washington. I'll post my results after a couple of calling trips.

Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on October 24, 2007, 07:57 PM:

Don't mind me, smithers. I was just trying to be faseshu... phacesh...faceciou... awww, screw it., I was just trying to be a smart ass. [Wink]

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on October 25, 2007, 07:59 PM:

I'm hip to the prosthesis of your gesture, GDog187. I was being fastidious or bellicose or perhaps even banal with my reply. [Big Grin]

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