14th Annual Statewide Coyote Hunt

coyote huntWe missed it. The statewide three day coyote hunt is over. Well, it ends today. I mean to hunt this every year, and every year I forget about it.

I don’t know how or why. A very good friend of mine has been hunting coyotes in this hunt for a long time. So far, he hasn’t seen a coyote, let alone kill one. But at least he goes. Not me, I stay at home, inside, sucking up the warmth of the fireplace, thinking about the reasons I forgot to go again.

For those not familiar, the hunt takes place in western PA. This year, there is a new twist. At least three clubs have joined together to increase the cash prizes. A hunter could register with all three clubs and enter the same coyote in each. The clubs, Mosquito Creek Sportsmen’s Association, St. Marys Sportsmen Club, and Sigel Sportsmen’s Club.

Seems like the success rate is about 1%. Last year, there were around 4,000 hunters. Only 42 coyotes were killed. The winning yote weighed just over 53 pounds. Over 4,400 hunters registered this year.

For more, see this article from the Associated Press.

There are several forums discussing this hunt too.

As you can imagine, PETA is not at all in favor of this hunt. Next year, I need to get in this game.

UPDATE: Here are the results,
4373 hunters
102 coyotes killed. Each hunter got $107.18
First Place: 45.5 lbs $5,466.25
Second Place: 43.9 lbs. $3,279.75
Third Place: 43.5 $2,186.50

6 Comments on “14th Annual Statewide Coyote Hunt

  1. Fuzzie-great site! I look forward to the daily feature, and have enjoyed today’s feature as well. One trick which is used by some of the more aggressive coyote hunters is to obtain a kid’s stuffed animal, and fill it with bloody meat scraps. Place the stuffed (now with meat) animal in a location downwind, and take up a good overwatch position. If there are any coyote’s in the area, one will sooner than later first see the furry animal, then smell it, and will have to check it out. I am not sure of the legality of baiting so check with your local warden first.

    Editor’s Note: The Game & Wildlife Code, at 34 Pa. C. S. Section 2308 (8) provifes: Any artificial or natural bait, hay, grain, fruit, nut, salt, chemical, mineral or other food as an enticement for game or wildlife, regardless of kind and quantity, or take advantage of any such area or food or bait prior to 30 days after the removal of such material and its residue.

    Great job by a great sportsman webmeister!

  2. fuzzie, I think the quote from the statute is incomplete…I’m looking for it now…

  3. The statute provides: Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:…. (8) Any artificial or natural bait, hay, grain, fruit, nut, salt, chemical, mineral or other food as an enticement for game or wildlife, regardless of kind or quantity…

  4. Last year there was talk of whether use of a stuffed rabbit decoy would be considered baiting when hunting coyote. There was a move afoot to make that practice legal. However, using meat (or any other food product) would definitely be considered “bait”, and therefore, would not be legal.

  5. Gene-OK, now you have my curiosity up! What about the bottles of doe urine (I never believed it really is doe pee, but that’s what the bottle says)? Seems to me, by what Woodswoman posted, doe urine would fall into her definition of an ‘enticement’? I dunno-hope one of you more experienced hunters can tell me, as I just bought a bunch of the bottles on sale at Wal-Mart. In fact, I have known hunters out in Texas who would rub a few drops on their hunting pants legs to hide the human scent as well as attract a buck.

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