Off Season

[Hoshua1]

We are basiclly the off season crowd. That's how the folks at the WDFW make me feel anyway. I've been eager to find areas to hunt coyote. First I thought I'd look into the areas near me that are open to "regular" season hunting. Nope. I guess I didn't know the rule that "Wildlife" areas are off limits off season. So...I'm back at square one. Any Washington "ALL" season hunters out there, I'm looking for a tip. How should I track down "public land that you can legally discharge a firearm". THNX

 

[Polishrifleman]

Public Land

Hoshua, Public land is one thing a good place to shoot is another. I have seen your posts about many topics and a good place for you might be a good outdoor range.

It is fairly inexpensive $10 for the first weapon up here in Seattle so cost is really dependent on how much ammo you go through and once you meet your fellow shooters they are typically a friendly bunch and a wealth of advice and information. So you kill two birds with one stone.

As far as answering you question about public land go to the following link and order a map or two for the areas you are interested in. The big map is a little useless but they offer more detailed maps of areas just call them.

http://dnr.wa.gov/base/publications.html

As far as coyote hunting I don't know where you are hunting or if you are using dogs but it is pretty much open year round in the state. Pick up a set of regs at your local shop. If that fails knock on a farmers door and tell them you want to kill some yotes and they will more often than not open up the gate for you. This is another way to get into private land for regular big game season too by being thankful, respectful and successful.

 

[Hoshua1]

I get to the range often. It's not far. I've got tons of links through and through the WDFW site as well as a head start with DeLormme maps and the BG Pamphlet. I've been charting the off-limits areas in hopes of clarifying the search for year round lands. You'd think I'd have it covered but I've had a hard time corresponding with the department. I figured I'd ask the local folks and forum members for a tip. I'm really interested in the nuances and challenges of predator hunting. The big picture just has some grey areas for me. I'd like to stay within a couple hours of Lynnwood. That's my scoop as for today. Just need to replace my boots and get this years lic. I pretty much want to make a weekend pattern out of varmint yote hunting in order to fill out my field repertoire until I can afford to travel more. THNX

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Oh, now you say Lynnwood. I thought you were in Seattle. If I were you, I'd make a stop at the Millcreek WDFW office and ask for a local warden or wardens for the foot hill areas east of Duval and maybe lands around Monroe. The game wardens enforce the laws, but they're also a really good source for where game is. Most of the time, they know where the complaints are coming from. Especially varmints that the local dairy farmers don't want around. I'll bet he even knows of farmers that will allow you to hunt on their land.

I sent you a PM with some links for Eastern Wa. stuff. Those would be the best bets, but I'm sure there's some huntin to be had in the foothills east of Puget Sound civilization.

If you're a Grouse hunter, then areas agacent to where you hunt them, Crown, Scott, Boise, and Werehowser land, might be a good bet too. A Pheasant in distress call might work, (if you can muffle it like a Grouse, or a Rabbit in distress call might be the trick.)

-Steve

 

[danurve]

www.wheretoshoot.org

I just spent an entire afternoon reparing wind damage at my clubs range. That and making improvments for the scattergun lanes.

You know trout season is open