Railroad problem or no?

R

Riggs9985

New member
I live right next to very busy railroad tracks, and the area that i hunt is also all around tracks. i figured the critters would be used to it and i have called a fox in seconds after a passing train. since then havnt been having to much luck....maybe just hasnt been cold enough or maybe i should stray away from the tracks a little further. Also, there is all kinds of tracks and scat within feet of tracks all up and down them. Any thoughts on if the trains would be effecting my stands? I have hunted coyotes a long time with better than averege success so the track issue is only thing i can think of other than it not being quite cold enough for long enough.


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I personally don't think animals care. I killed the biggest buck of my life this year fifty yards from an interstate.

I would guess rodents would be drawn to the edges of the tracks in the grasses and brush, and that would draw predators.
 
I always figured the same as you, that the critters would be used to it. That said, I too have shot deer near RR tracks, but have done some calling near them w/no luck.
Merry Christmas- I`ll give you a call later this week.
 
Originally Posted By: Riggs9985I live right next to very busy railroad tracks, and the area that i hunt is also all around tracks. i figured the critters would be used to it and i have called a fox in seconds after a passing train. since then havnt been having to much luck....maybe just hasnt been cold enough or maybe i should stray away from the tracks a little further. Also, there is all kinds of tracks and scat within feet of tracks all up and down them. Any thoughts on if the trains would be effecting my stands? I have hunted coyotes a long time with better than averege success so the track issue is only thing i can think of other than it not being quite cold enough for long enough.


You can't do much to change the weather, but you can change your situation with the RR tracks. Go back to what you were doing before you started wondering if the tracks were a factor and see if your better than average success returns.

If it does, you can blame the tracks. If it doesn't, you can blame the weather, moon, stars, obama, Mayan calender, bad luck or a number of other things. I normally charge for this wonderful advice. But since it's Christmas you get it for free.
smile.gif


Edit to add: I personally like to hunt near RR tracks and have had pretty good success when doing so.
 
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I thought so considering the tracks have been there before all those critters were born, just part of their day. Thank you guys for confirming my thoughts.....I'll continue my tactics and see what is to come.....pry just a dry streek. On the bright side, my traps are still doing fine!
 
I dont think that the trains will affect your success. I have seen many a varmint eating grain, road kill etc off the tracks. Just remember that if you are on railroad property you are trespassing. I have seen it taken very serious when people caught along the railroad tracks with weapons.
 
Originally Posted By: Dustballs Just remember that if you are on railroad property you are trespassing. I have seen it taken very serious when people caught along the railroad tracks with weapons.

Yep, probably even more of an issue in Nebraska where the Union Pacific calls home.
Keep in mind that the Railroad Police have both federal and state jurisdiction, even off of railroad property.
Sorry to bust your bubble, just speaking from experience......
 
Never said I was hunting on the tracks guys....keyword "Near" tracks. I assure you the land I am on is my property or have had permission for years But thanks you for consideration......I didn't know they were that serious
 
You don't want to be on the tracks hoss. Hunting or whatever else. It ain't a good place to be for any reason. Trust me. Good luck!
 
Originally Posted By: Riggs9985Never said I was hunting on the tracks guys....keyword "Near" tracks. I assure you the land I am on is my property or have had permission for years But thanks you for consideration......I didn't know they were that serious

If you were to show a UP police the picture you posted they would consider you ON the tracks and not NEAR the tracks. And trespassing.
 
not stiring the pot here but... how do you cross RR tracks if your out hunting going from one part of the property to the other. i hunt a farm that sits on both sides of the tracks.

with that being said, i think train tracks have no meaning to critters. i have a couple deer stands so close to the tracks that the tree shakes when a train goes by! i have seen deer stand less than 50 feet from a train as it goes by and just look up at it then go on doing their thing.

i would say coyotes are not any differant....just gives me a chance to cough or whatever if i need to when they go by.

Jered
 
I used to hunt the tracks all the time in my younger days.
Had good luck with all sorts of critters on them.

Never once had anyone complain or mention trespassing from
the RR folks and I would occasionally run into workers on
the tracks.
 
They take it much more serious nowadays. The likelihood of getting caught is very slim. I have to cross tracks to get to a place I hunt but I don't linger on them.

That's a really cool picture btw. Even if you are trespassing to get it! Lol
 
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Ever since 9/11 the attitude of the railroads have changed...On the other side of the subject..There are a lot of small animals that get killed or injured near RR tracks and the predators are used to not only feeding there, but using the right of ways as paths to get from one point to another...

I've had good luck, but I'm always careful to stay off of the RR actual right of way...At one time I was experimenting to try and find a way of using a remote controlled car to move my E-caller to a better position along the area....Just didn't have enough money to by a big enough vehicle...
 
LOL thank you yoteless! yes i will admit to get the picture i was on u.p. property....you got me! I only cross them...not follow...hopefully i do not get caught bc i am most definitly not going to stop bc its the only way to get to some of the property i hunt....so i guess long story short, SO BE IT.
 
A buddy up here is a UP engineer and is always saying how many coyotes he sees running along the track. RR tracks are a food source due to the fact game & cattle get hit everyday on them.
Last year he ran through a herd of antelope and killed 57 and the coyotes were packed in that spot eating them. He called me on morning at 6am and said he just counted 17 coyotes on them.
My son is a BNSF cop and is always seeing them on the tracks in WA/ID also.
Yes if you are on the RR easement you will be arrested or cited for tresspassing.
I shot my 40lb coyote 400 yards from the RR tracks also.
 
I would doubt that the location of the tracks are a factor in your recent lack of sucess. If I was to guess I would say your over hunting the area because it's close and convient. I am a Locomotive Engineer and because I am an avid coyote hunter I am always watching for them. I can see them howling back at the engine when im going by blowing the horn. It's sort of funny because I can't hear them due to the noise and the ear protection I wear but I see them raising there head with there mouth open. Try and pay attention when a train is approaching you might be able to locate one. If your going to hunt near the tracks just don't park a vehicle close to the rail. As Engineers the last thing we want to do is destroy your truck. It's always a pain in the [beeep] going thru the investigation process and delays us when were trying to get home and maybe hit the woods before dark.
 
Path of least resistance all animals use as travel ways. Alot of ground squirrels around here burrow under the ties that was abandoned and piled on side of tracks.Like a clearcut area,more sunlight able to grow better habitat for mice,rabbits asd other varmints of sort.I set up along the tracks alot. I have also talked to the workers and seen many trains come by and they all seem to wave and have np of hunting along the tracks.But unlike your tracks,Mine are not that busy. And as said,there is abundant of animals as in parts of deer that been slaughtered by the train. Maybe record the trains and add to your caller.LOL Its part of their world and they are use to it.
 
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Originally Posted By: Riggs9985I live right next to very busy railroad tracks, and the area that i hunt is also all around tracks. i figured the critters would be used to it and i have called a fox in seconds after a passing train. since then havnt been having to much luck....maybe just hasnt been cold enough or maybe i should stray away from the tracks a little further. Also, there is all kinds of tracks and scat within feet of tracks all up and down them. Any thoughts on if the trains would be effecting my stands? I have hunted coyotes a long time with better than averege success so the track issue is only thing i can think of other than it not being quite cold enough for long enough.

I have worked for the railroad for 35 years from Cincinnati Oh to Huntington WV 163 miles and on that stretch of railroad the trains have no effect on the animals, wild or domestic
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