Why? * Their avearge weight ranges from 20-50lbs. The wireless call and motion decoy brought him in on a string. * They can smell better than a dog, even better than a blood hound. One of the things that makes coyote hunting so enjoyable is the fast pace style of hunting. On this episode, JT and Todd McCormick make the trip up from Appomattox to do some thermal night hunting with Jason in Southwest Virginia. Not only is it fun to hunt with friends, but another set of eyes is extremely beneficial. Each year the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) publishes a brochure that encompasses regulations for hunting and trapping of animals in the state. Because the call effectively covers that entire area in just one sit, unless it’s really windy. * They are scavenger eaters seeking out the easiest meal. Get the latest species and season info. * A 2 man hunt team is best. * Coyotes pose little to no threat to adult deer. Share your … Coyotes have been killing more livestock every year in Virginia for more than a decade. Instead of planning for one sit, plan on three. Also, the Department’s 2014 bow hunter survey indicated that statewide an archery deer hunter saw a coyote on average about every 150 hours afield. Site Map Website by JZ Internet, https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/2016/06/coyote-research-study-update/. * Place the caller 20-30 yards in front of you pointing in the directions that you expect the coyotes will be coming from. Here’s a short list of common mistakes made by novice coyote hunters and how you should go about improving upon them: When we first started giving coyote hunting a try, we would basically march into an area that looked like it would hold coyotes and set up. Coyotes may also be hunted on Department lands during the spring squirrel season unless otherwise posted. Published on Oct 4, 2018 On this episode, Jason, JT, Kyle and Benton are coyote hunting at night in Virginia. Most nuisance wildlife calls are handled by the Virginia Conservation Police office. * They may come in very quickly traveling up to 30mph so be on HIGH alert once the calling starts. Additional information on coyotes in Virginia and ways to reduce conflicts with coyotes in your community can be found at: Fairfax County – Wildlife Biologist Discusses County Coyotes A number of Virginia counties have paid for dead coyotes over the past decade or so, but in most cases, those bounties have been abandoned or scaled back. A combination of howls on the MFK diaphragms mixed … Access district and public hunting land maps. So, hunting coyote is actually hunting another hunter. Always pay mind to the wind direction. There is no state bounty for coyotes; contact your county administrator’s office to see if there is a local bounty. Everything you need to plan your West Virginia hunting trips for 2020. Now you just need to figure out the best way to call them in. Sunny skies after bad weather or a rise in temperatures after a cold snap will put them on the move. Although the coyote is currently found throughout almost all of North America, it is a relatively new inhabitant of regions east of the Mississippi. * FEBRUARY is peak mating season and a great time to call them in, but October and November are the best months. * Early morning and late evening are best times for hunting. Game bird populations tend to be higher in areas where coyote are known to be present. Also, quality camouflage that blends well with the surroundings is a must. * Mouth calls are good as well as electric calls (fox pro etc..) Mojo critter is a good decoy and place the decoy fairly close to the call if possible. You must contact the Commonwealth Attorney’s office in your county/city for information regarding legal methods of animal removal. * They will come in downwind because they will verify with their nose what they are hearing with their ears. Coyote hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1 through March 10 and during the spring turkey season. Also note how the gun is shouldered at all times during the hunt to limit any unnecessary movement. Animals look for places to den and raise their young – don’t give them that opportunity. It’s important to have your gun up and nearly shouldered as soon as you hit the call. Coyotes may be hunted year round. Like I said, coyote hunting is fast paced, if you don’t have any luck in 30 minutes, move on. Move on at least a half mile and repeat if no show on first set if possible. Contact your local health department if animal exhibits signs of rabies such as stumbling, foaming at the mouth or aggression. DESCRIPTION: Coyotes are about the size and weight of a medium-sized dog. While we’ve had minimal success with that call, we seem to rarely change it up. The primary reason is a substantial rise in their inhabitants. [1] X Research source If in doubt about which locations are safe and legal or hunting, visit the U.S. Feral hogs, also dubbed feral swine, are one of the state's most invasive species. © 2021 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. This will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans. How to deal with problem Coyote in West Virginia. * They are much like a domesticated dog as far as learning behavior. With the fast pace style of coyote hunting, you’re going to need an ample amount of spots to rotate through. This is where the next tip comes into play. * Any break in the weather are good days to hunt. This year will be the year though… After reading many articles and blogs on coyote hunting in non-western states, it sounds like the dying rabbit is decent in the fall, but once these coyotes hear it a couple times they are much more cautious. Remove bird feeders when problem species have been seen around them. Shed hunting is also a great time to figure out where these wily creatures are spending their time. It makes a coyote a born hunter with all the abilities to be of the best one. Install coyote proof fencing to protect unsupervised pets. The coyote is not a native species of Virginia, and was first observed in the very western regions of the Commonwealth in the early 1950s. If you don’t want to spend time scouting before your hunts you should take mental notes of where you see scat, tracks, dens, and coyotes themselves throughout the deer season. Pennsylvania Game Commission/Jacob Dingel. Larger dogs are viewed as a threat particularly from January to June while mating and birthing pups. * The coyote is considered a nuisance species and there is a continuous open season on them whether it be hunting or trapping. So even if you got rejected to hunt in fall, ask them again for permission to coyote hunt. Here’s an example of a mid-day coyote that was taken on our 5th set of the morning. * Coyotes are often painted in a dim light by hunters, but they do serve purpose in helping to keep our groundhog & racoon population in check. As Burnham told me, hunting in the East means calling in relatively confined … * They are always on the move and roam onto different properties in cycles. Feral Hogs. Coyote (Eastern coyote) More Images. But, he cautioned that effective calling involves a lot more than simply turning on an electronic call. Hunting coyote is different than hunting other animals, they aren’t game animals; they’re predators. For instance, a 2012 study of coyotes’ eating habits by West Virginia University graduate student Geriann Albers has given state wildlife officials a better idea of coyotes… The best way to prevent them from becoming a problem is to not give them a reason to come. * Calling sessions should be 45 minutes at minimum....Call for a minute....wait 10 minutes....continue this pattern. Call Sparingly. No hunting license is required to shoot them. I don’t know, because it sounds good??? Nuisance Species – continuous open season. One hunter with a rifle and one with a shotgun for close range shots. Empty trip after empty trip left us boggled. house mouse. Coyote; Fox; Opossum; Skunk; Raccoon; Furbearer Trapping Seasons. Copyright © 2021 Star City Whitetails All Rights Reserved. Because it’s hunting and you can’t kill them from your couch, that’s why! black rat. Local ordinances are usually more restrictive than state laws. Hunting coyotes at night using any color artificial light is legal from January 1 through July 31. Like many ‘yote hunters, our go-to call has always been the squealing rabbit. Because the call effectively covers that entire area in just one sit, unless it’s really windy. Norway rat. We highly prefer hunting when there is snow on the ground because we blend in better and we can spot them sooner. However, it could get challenging, frustrating, and if you are fortunate, really rewarding. A hunter who doesn’t hunt for mere amusement or adventure, they hunt because they feed on them. HISTORY OF THE COYOTE IN VIRGINIA: The coyote is not a native species of Virginia, and was first observed in the very western regions of the Commonwealth in the early 1950s. Since coyotes have thrived among West Virginia wildlife, livestock producers must maintain coyote management practices throughout the year. Coming across fresh coyote tracks in snow tells you that a dog is around. Alex Poole (right) and Kyle Crickenberger get ready to make their first stand of the night while coyote hunting in Bedford Co., Va., March 19, 2014. Hunt the coyote just like you would turkey in the spring, as far as full camo and face mask. • hunt small game in counties having a buck firearms season during the first three days of this season. It’s been our experience that far more landowners will allow you to hunt coyotes compared to deer. For instance, in West Virginia, though there is no limit on the number of coyotes you may hunt, only .22 caliber ammunition or smaller is legal for hunting coyote. It is illegal in the State of Virginia to trap and relocate an animal to another area. * A good rest or shooting sticks is recommended and try to position yourself above the coyote with the sun to your back. * Coyotes are believed to be resident in every county in the commonwealth. • hunt deer, bear or boar between 1/2 hour after sunset and Match your hunting wits against the most adaptable animal in the world! Living with Coyotes Near Your Home in Virginia. This was and probably still is one of our biggest faults as intermediate coyote hunters looking to take the next step. Are coyotes spotting you before you’re spotting them? Hunting opportunities are diverse and abundant in Virginia - from the western mountains to the coastal region. coyote… Twenty years ago, this number would probably have been about 1,000-3,000. After all, we just spent the best time of day in our best area and got nothing, so why would we think the next set would be any different? Keep brushy areas in your yard cut down to prevent cover for coyotes. No bag limit. Doubt it, because there’s no such thing. Perhaps our calling techniques are better than we thought, we just aren’t seeing them. Private land and hunt clubs dominate the eastern VA landscape whereas vast regions of public land are available in the west. Why? Close up all openings under and into your buildings. Pass along this information to your neighbors. This species is primarily nocturnal, meaning they come out mostly at night; however just seeing them during the day is not a sign of rabies. A hunter wearing snow camo sitting on a hillside blends in seamlessly. “One research outcome that appears to hold across multiple studies and might interest deer hunters in western Virginia, is that where both coyotes and black bears are found, black bear predation on fawns is generally equal to or exceeds that of coyotes,” he said. This coyote is scavenging a deer carcass. Specific laws and regulations are found in the Code of Virginia or the DWR Fisheries, Wildlife, and Boating Regulations. It is legal to hunt waterfowl during this period on lakes, rivers, and waterways during the open waterfowl season, to hunt bear in specified counties, and to hunt coyotes. * Scent control is a must. Do not leave pet food outside; keep pet feeding areas clean. A WV coyote and predator hunting group for the beginning and experienced hunter. Firearms legal for night coyote hunting are shotguns with #2 or smaller shot and rifles and handguns of .22 caliber centerfire or smaller and .22 caliber rimfire or smaller. Night Vision: Allowed, not listed as a prohibited device per the WV 2010-2011 Hunting & Trapping Guide. There is no state bounty for coyotes; contact your county administrator’s office to see if there is a local bounty. Keep trash inside until the morning of trash pick-up or place trash in an animal proof container, such as a metal trashcan with latches on the lids. Coyotes are very smart, especially when they’ve been avoiding deer hunters all season long. In the end, keep it fun and look at any success as a bonus. We will be glad to offer assistance when possible. In the end, just remember you can’t kill what’s not there. A few Virginia counties still have them, including Franklin County, which paid nearly $6,000 for 171 coyotes over the course of nine months in 2018. If you are feeding wildlife, stop. In recent years, the hunter survey estimates that Virginia hunters are killing about 20,000-25,000 coyotes annually. They can be reach by calling (540) 899-4169. If one comes in and you happen to shoot it make sure you stay motionless and focused because there is a good chance more are close behind. Stick with it and if something’s not working, don’t be afraid to change it up. Coyote hunting is not like deer hunting in the sense that you can’t have three different spots to hunt on an 80-acre chunk. This helps protect homeowner gardens and ground-nesting game birds like turkey, grouse and ducks. The Code of Virginia considers these animals and birds to be nuisance species. A bird in distress, like a turkey or woodpecker, seems to be what the pros recommend. Get out there folks and do some COYOTE hunting with a friend....make sure you send your harvest pics to jeff@starcitywhitetails.com and I will share them with our Virginia hunting community! Coyote hunting is not like deer hunting in the sense that you can’t have three different spots to hunt on an 80-acre chunk. It is illegal in the State of Virginia to trap and relocate an animal to another area. There’s been a few times I’ve been discouraged after the first sit of the morning and called it a day. * Hunt away from your vehicle, if they see it or smell it they will not come in. Have you ever heard any hunter say they have too much land to hunt? Midnight - 3:00am are best for night hunting. Every area is different and coyote hunting is darn right difficult in most states. Solution: stack up as many properties as possible. The coyote may be closer than you think and if the call is too loud it can spook them off. They generally have longer and thicker hair or fur than a dog. UrbanCoyoteResearch.com. Hunting coyotes at night is legal from January 1 thru July 31. 22 talking about this. Years later, we rarely hunt any of those “good” looking coyote areas because there’s no sign of coyotes. **https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/2016/06/coyote-research-study-update/**. Coyote Hunting Regulations. West Virginia Night Hunting: Allowed, night hunting is allowed for coyote using amber or red-colored artificial light during the legal night season. Also, nearly every one of our sets is a two or three man set. Coyotes are also called the prairie wolves or brush wolves. Typically, we would set up over a large field, frozen river, or basically anywhere we could see a couple hundred yards, set the call up, and wait. Calling is the most affective and exciting method of hunting ‘yotes, Peters said. * Elevated deer stands are good if available as well as ground blinds. Do not haze a coyote if pups are present or if you suspect a coyote is sick or injured, as the coyote might behave defensively or react in an unpredictable manner. Whitetail deer, bear, turkeys, and waterfowl are available across the Commonwealth. While the coyote is a predator and predation is an important component of a healthy ecosystem, conflicts arise when coyotes feed on livestock, such as sheep, goats and cattle. That and maybe those darn western-state predator hunting shows that seem to have coyotes come in by the dozen. If anyone in the neighborhood is feeding wildlife directly, or indirectly, it can cause trouble for everybody. We shall see. A lot of times, a coyote that’s on their way into a call will hang up on the edge of cover to survey things first. This Web site contains general information. Why? Set up in the shade if possible. Contact your local health department if animal exhibits signs of rabies such as stumbling, foaming at the mouth or aggression. … Nothing in the area said there were coyotes around other than it looked good. After all, you can’t expect different results by doing the same thing. If these techniques do not solve the problem, you can contact a licensed trapper or a critter removal service, which you can find in your local phone directory. They are commonly seen during the day in urban and suburban areas and are usually attracted there by a food source or an easily accessed area to make a den such as under porches/decks, crawl spaces or out-buildings. * Start calls out soft and then get louder. Here are a few door-knocking tips that have gotten us permission on several hundreds of acres over the years. If he catches you moving or catches whiff or your scent, you’ll never know they were there. Keep small pets inside and on a leash when outside; they may be viewed by a coyote as prey. * They need to eat their weight in meat each week. I guess we will never really know, will we? Coyote hunting is becoming hugely popular. For more information about resolving human-coyote conflicts, please see Living with Coyotes Near Your Home in Virginia (PDF). Coyote Management. Coyote predation in the high mountain areas of West Virginia with lower deer populations and severe winters is likely to have more effect on the deer herd than in … Helping Virginia livestock farmers keep coyotes under control!