What kind of hunting am I looking for?

Major PITA · 08-23-2004, 10:39 PM

When I was a kid, I hunted rabbits with a .22 and later a .410 shotgun.

It seems the only hunting I've done in the last few years is with a MasterCard.

Since I'm doing this more for the exercise than to "kill" anything, I'll list my "wants" for a hunting experience and I hope that someone can chime in with "Oh, then you'll love hunting the..."

1. I want to stalk something. I want to follow it into the wild places, and either shoot it as I come upon it, or after trekking for a while into a wild area, shooting from a still position. I want to have to look for the animal in its natural habitat and find it, like a giant hide-and-seek game. I don't mind "still-hunting" from a hide, but since my hunting will mostly be weekend trips, I don't want to hunt something I'd have to sit in a hide and wait days for. I've studied coyote hunting, which basically involves "calling" the coyotes and having them come to you. I want a combination of "sniper" stealth and "hunter" tracking.

2. I'd rather hunt dangerous or "pest" animals than "food" animals. Coyotes and mountain lions immediately pop to mind, although I'll have to check into New Mexico's laws for mountain lions. Coyotes are considered varmints here and actually have a bounty on them. I'd rather hunt something that is destructive to human endeavors rather than just something that tastes different from beef.

3. Since .308 is my all-around favorite caliber, I'd rather hunt something in this power level.

4. I'd prefer to hunt something either with no license requirement (like coyotes) or very low license fees.

5. I'd like to be able to hunt year-round if possible.

Okay, that's it. Is there such an animal that meets all or most of my criteria?

jerry · 08-23-2004, 10:42 PM

NM has some killer Jack rabbits. The ones I shot in AZ were so full of worms, they weren't worth nothing more than coyote bait. Mabe a two for one expedition?

Major PITA · 08-23-2004, 11:09 PM

Somebody told me that mountain lion hunting involves a LOT of walking around just hoping to run into the animal (i.e. LUCK). I don't know if this is true or not.

CV32 · 09-01-2004, 05:16 PM

I'd say coyote hunting fits the bill nicely. It meets most of your criteria.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major PITA

1. I want to stalk something ... I've studied coyote hunting, which basically involves "calling" the coyotes and having them come to you. I want a combination of "sniper" stealth and "hunter" tracking.

Yep.

Quote:

2. I'd rather hunt dangerous or "pest" animals than "food" animals ... Coyotes are considered varmints here and actually have a bounty on them. I'd rather hunt something that is destructive to human endeavors rather than just something that tastes different from beef.

Yep.

Quote:

3. Since .308 is my all-around favorite caliber, I'd rather hunt something in this power level.

I am sure there are places where you can hunt coyote with a .308, but its a tad heavy for that kind of hunting. You could probably fall in love with a .223.

Quote:

4. I'd prefer to hunt something either with no license requirement (like coyotes) or very low license fees.

Yep.

Quote:

5. I'd like to be able to hunt year-round if possible.

Only July and August are unavailable here in Newfoundland, Canada.

09-01-2004, 06:31 PM

Boar hunting..in some states wild pigs are "pest animals" or varmints..or get into paintball

Major PITA · 09-01-2004, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CV32

I'd say coyote hunting fits the bill nicely. It meets most of your criteria.

I am sure there are places where you can hunt coyote with a .308, but its a tad heavy for that kind of hunting. You could probably fall in love with a .223.

My Dad has shot coyotes with .223 only to find it doesn't always knock them down right away, i.e., some have run off wounded to die later.

I know most people use .17 centerfire calibers or .22-250 or something like that for coyotes. I also know that .308 may not allow me to harvest the pelt due to the damage it will do, but since I don't have the money for a safe full of different calibers and I may hunt other things eventually, .308 seems a good choice. I also (call me crazy) want to try shooting at longer ranges. One or two hundred yards just doesn't cut it for me anymore. I can hit a steel ram target at 300 yards with iron sights on an AK. I want a CHALLENGE!

Three-Oh-Eight seems better for this too, because don't the varmint cartridges really lose their power after about 300 yards?

CV32 · 09-02-2004, 12:05 PM

The .223 should definitely be doing the job, certainly better than the .17. If you want to try some long range sniping, then there's probably nothing better than your .308. Good hunting ! :nod:

Shaun · 09-02-2004, 12:20 PM

try wild boar in PRK

oneastrix · 09-02-2004, 02:53 PM

Wild hog or javelina in South TX.

silentknight · 09-02-2004, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneastrix

Wild hog or javelina in South TX.

Thats going to be my next hunting trip

Dallas · 09-02-2004, 03:11 PM

My smart *ss answer is join the Marines and volunteer for Iraq. But wild boar is probably you best bet. My family has a bit of land in East Texas and they are becoming a real problem there apparently. According to a cousin says he's seen some that MUST weigh in at 300lbs or more.

SilverRun · 09-02-2004, 07:31 PM

Go for the hogs/javelina ! .308 would do nicely. Watch out for those boars though - they have an atitude!

OutlawC5 · 09-15-2004, 02:11 PM

Try coyote, at night. strap on that night vision and go with a pistol. Has to be, in my opinion, one of the most thrilling hunting expeditions.

dasher · 10-02-2004, 04:18 AM

WILD HOG HUNTING!!! I have been hunting them for 10 years here in Tenn.. They are not easy to hunt down and if you find a few that will stand their ground for a fight...it can be addictive. You need to try it. :right:

colt45 · 10-02-2004, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CV32

The .223 should definitely be doing the job, certainly better than the .17. If you want to try some long range sniping, then there's probably nothing better than your .308. Good hunting ! :nod:

I have been hunting coyotes with a 223 and a 243 for several years now never had one go more than three feet after being hit.
my dad has been hunting them for three years now that he can walk around again and uses a 17hmr he has never had one get away or go anywhere. they die right there he just got on yesterday(opening day of coyote here in NY) at 160 yards with the 17 and the new 20grain ammo by cci. its the second longest shot he has had in three years and it was right in the chest all the 52 pound female did was rear up on her hind legs and drop over dead didn't go anywhere.

you want exercise and a challege then go rabit hunting with a 22 handgun.

08-23-2004, 10:39 PM	#1
Major PITA Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 25	What kind of hunting am I looking for? When I was a kid, I hunted rabbits with a .22 and later a .410 shotgun. It seems the only hunting I've done in the last few years is with a MasterCard. Since I'm doing this more for the exercise than to "kill" anything, I'll list my "wants" for a hunting experience and I hope that someone can chime in with "Oh, then you'll love hunting the..." 1. I want to stalk something. I want to follow it into the wild places, and either shoot it as I come upon it, or after trekking for a while into a wild area, shooting from a still position. I want to have to look for the animal in its natural habitat and find it, like a giant hide-and-seek game. I don't mind "still-hunting" from a hide, but since my hunting will mostly be weekend trips, I don't want to hunt something I'd have to sit in a hide and wait days for. I've studied coyote hunting, which basically involves "calling" the coyotes and having them come to you. I want a combination of "sniper" stealth and "hunter" tracking. 2. I'd rather hunt dangerous or "pest" animals than "food" animals. Coyotes and mountain lions immediately pop to mind, although I'll have to check into New Mexico's laws for mountain lions. Coyotes are considered varmints here and actually have a bounty on them. I'd rather hunt something that is destructive to human endeavors rather than just something that tastes different from beef. 3. Since .308 is my all-around favorite caliber, I'd rather hunt something in this power level. 4. I'd prefer to hunt something either with no license requirement (like coyotes) or very low license fees. 5. I'd like to be able to hunt year-round if possible. Okay, that's it. Is there such an animal that meets all or most of my criteria? __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher; if it's in English, thank a soldier."

08-23-2004, 10:42 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 11,117 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	NM has some killer Jack rabbits. The ones I shot in AZ were so full of worms, they weren't worth nothing more than coyote bait. Mabe a two for one expedition? __________________ Joe the plumber is screwed

08-23-2004, 11:09 PM	#3
Major PITA Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 25	Somebody told me that mountain lion hunting involves a LOT of walking around just hoping to run into the animal (i.e. LUCK). I don't know if this is true or not. __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher; if it's in English, thank a soldier."

09-02-2004, 12:20 PM	#8
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,599 Images: 1	try wild boar in PRK __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

09-02-2004, 02:53 PM	#9
oneastrix Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 5,213	Wild hog or javelina in South TX. __________________ There's no one more thankful to sit at the table, than the one who best remembers hunger's pain.

09-01-2004, 06:31 PM	#5
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	Boar hunting..in some states wild pigs are "pest animals" or varmints..or get into paintball

09-02-2004, 12:05 PM	#7
CV32 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 88	The .223 should definitely be doing the job, certainly better than the .17. If you want to try some long range sniping, then there's probably nothing better than your .308. Good hunting ! :nod:

09-02-2004, 03:11 PM	#11
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,604	My smart *ss answer is join the Marines and volunteer for Iraq. But wild boar is probably you best bet. My family has a bit of land in East Texas and they are becoming a real problem there apparently. According to a cousin says he's seen some that MUST weigh in at 300lbs or more.

09-02-2004, 07:31 PM	#12
SilverRun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,666	Go for the hogs/javelina ! .308 would do nicely. Watch out for those boars though - they have an atitude!

09-15-2004, 02:11 PM	#13
OutlawC5 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE pennsylvania Posts: 30	Try coyote, at night. strap on that night vision and go with a pistol. Has to be, in my opinion, one of the most thrilling hunting expeditions.

10-02-2004, 04:18 AM	#14
dasher Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tenn. Posts: 10	WILD HOG HUNTING!!! I have been hunting them for 10 years here in Tenn.. They are not easy to hunt down and if you find a few that will stand their ground for a fight...it can be addictive. You need to try it. :right: