By Glen Wunderlich Outdoor Columnist Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
It’s coyote season. Actually, the season has been open statewide since July 15th, but once deer season begins, few hunters concentrate on them. Of course, many are taken by hunters during incidental encounters in the course of other hunting activities, but to seek out these superb predators takes tactics beyond just being there.
Before heading afield, however, attempt to comprehend the hunting rules, which are about as clear as the IRS tax code. Here is some of the mumbo jumbo: The season is open statewide July 15 –April 15, except if you hunt at night. A license is needed except if you are hunting on private property and are the owner or a designee of the owner, in which case they can be taken all year long. But, before you pull the trigger, you are required to read the coyote’s mind and determine if they are doing damage or about to do damage. Hello! They’re carnivores! If they are not eating meat, they are about to. And, until the DNR holds classes on mental telepathy, I am assuming their intent is to kill whatever they can.
Most of the coyotes’ hunting is done at night when they seek and destroy mice, rabbits, grouse, house cats, and deer. To hunt coyotes at night, though, only .22 caliber or smaller firearms, or shotguns with loads other than buckshot, slugs, or cut shells, or bow and arrow can be used. Then there are rules about what lights can be used. Additionally, you must make sure your firearm is not loaded if you are not in the act of calling.
All of this nonsense may be sporting, but anemic rimfires are best suited to squirrels and rabbits. If I’m going to take the time to hunt an animal as crafty as a coyote, I am not out there to be cute about it. If that means only daytime hours, then so be it, but at least my chosen firepower will be more than adequate. It doesn’t matter to me what the quarry is – varmint or otherwise – I am after humane kills. I’m going big or staying home.
Is there such a thing as overkill? Yes, if one is after edible game or wants the fur. When it comes to coyotes, neither apply to me. I have taken them with the mighty .300 Winchester Magnum and versatile .30-06, and because I am a handloader, these .30-caliber choices offer long-range potential and plenty of punch with custom loads utilizing lightweight bullets.
If you are thinking that in the shotgun zone (Zone 3), that centerfire rifles are illegal, take a little time to read between the lines in the Hunting and Trapping Digest. Nowhere do the rules indicate that centerfires cannot be used for varmint hunting in the lower portion of the state. That means your deer guns are perfectly legal.
If you are concerned about the safety of shooting high-powered rifles in Zone 3, I commend you. One of the reasons I handload with the .30 calibers is that bullets used for varmints, such as the Hornady 110-grain spire points or V-Max, are designed to totally disintegrate upon impact. If you are not a handloader and still want to varmint hunt with your deer rifle and big-game rounds, consider doing so from a raised platform or treestand to minimize ricochet potential (see page 32 of the Hunting Digest for complete details.) Yes, it’s legal for coyotes.
So, if you have yet to put away your favorite deer rifle, get out there, play the wind, and sound like food. Just be careful, because coyotes will hunt in pairs or small groups and are coming to kill.
