Coyote hunt results

[Lee Borgersen]

PA.         ...   Coyote hunt results

For the Northeast Regional coyote hunt held recently, there were 812 hunters who tried to bring a coyote to the scales for a chance at some prize money. Out of all those hunters, only 52 coyotes were hauled to the weigh in.

Calling coyotes within range is not easy, and out of all of the coyotes entered, 16 were taken by those using calls. Two coyotes out of the batch were taken by hunters using still hunting as their method, and the remainder and gross majority of those coyotes registered were taken by hunters using the aid of dogs.

Despite what some may assume, many of the coyotes were taken during daytime hours. Just what is a big coyote in Pennsylvania? Despite many emails and reports of 60-plus pounders, the money dog entered in this contest tipped the scales at 51.7 pounds.

The coyote was taken in Sullivan County by Bill Corry at 9:30 a.m. on the last day of the hunt.

Corry used a .22-250 rifle and called the coyote in for the shot. The next three biggest coyotes entered were 42 pounds and all others were under that, attesting to the overestimation by many about the size of coyotes we see.