Coyote legal weapons?

[OneNightAtDeerCamp]

What weapons are legal to use on Coyote?  Rifles obviously.  Shotgun?  Bow?  Crossbow?  Slingshot :-)

Legal calls?  Electronic?  Lures?

[Jingles]

Yes to all of the above

[OneNightAtDeerCamp]

spotlights?

[ghosthunter]

Yes

But be careful if there is a big game season open.

[deaner]

Yes to all of the above

       you sure about that? dont think xbows are

[deaner]

spotlights yes, but not during modern firearm deer and elk season.  no night hungint of coyotes at that time

[Jingles]

Pg 68 2012 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations " Coyotes may be hunted at night year round, EXCEPT it is unlawful to hunt coyotes at night during the months of September, October or November in any area open to centerfire rifle deer or elk season."
Pg 76  1. hunting big game with the aid of an artificial light or spotlight is prohibited."
Coyotes are listed in the small game category so good to go with light after dark

Only restrictions I could find  in addition to the above were on Pg 76
Item 11 Prohibited firearms/Hunting methods it is illegal to :
5th paragraph" Hunt wildlife with a crossbow, except in firearm restriction areas during modern firearm seasons. Hunters with disabilities may also use a crossbow during any season that allows archery equipment with a special use permit as conditioned in WAC 232-12-054."
And in regards to the above post aboutr any big game seasons being open I'm positive he means WA regulated big game sesons not the poachers that are hunting from off the rez's

[MadHatter]

I have also found that there is also some confusion out there that leads people to believe that you cannot night hunt coyotes at all during those three months.

Deer season where I hunt is Oct 13-31.  On Oct 12th I can night hunt, as well as Nov 1.  You can also night hunt a unit that might be closed, or that doesn't have a modern season.  So if the GMU just down the road is not open to modern hunting for deer or elk then you can drive down the road and hunt there at night.  The other one you can hunt would be a rifle restricted area.  So if you have somewhere that is shotgun only, you can hunt coyotes at night there too, but not with a rifle of course.

I am not sure why it is confusing, but I have talked to several people that were all up in arms that I was night hunting coyotes a week after elk season closed because the reg books says Sept, Oct, Nov.  I guess people just stop reading after it lists the months and miss the part about it being closed "in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season."

[Special T]

MadHatter, you also have to keep in mind all the special hunts out there for master hunters, youths etc.  Have not thought about the restricted areas tho... Have you ever been in contact with WDFW agents that close to a season? if so what did they say? I am always curious since there seems to be differences of opinion even with the enforcement. 

[Doc Sauce]

Might be getting to go to the dry side for a 3 day yote hunt (among a few birds here and there  ).  I have been all over the WDFW site trying to figure out if 5.56 really is legal to shoot coyotes with.  They are listed as small game, but I cannot find anything saying I can use that caliber.

So...

Is it legal?  Where is the source document which covers me should I get stopped with a couple dead dogs and an AR?

Thanks y'all.

[JLS]

Might be getting to go to the dry side for a 3 day yote hunt (among a few birds here and there  ).  I have been all over the WDFW site trying to figure out if 5.56 really is legal to shoot coyotes with.  They are listed as small game, but I cannot find anything saying I can use that caliber.

So...

Is it legal?  Where is the source document which covers me should I get stopped with a couple dead dogs and an AR?

Thanks y'all.

No caliber restriction (or magazine capacity restriction) while hunting 'yotes.

[smdave]

Might be getting to go to the dry side for a 3 day yote hunt (among a few birds here and there  ).  I have been all over the WDFW site trying to figure out if 5.56 really is legal to shoot coyotes with.  They are listed as small game, but I cannot find anything saying I can use that caliber.

So...

Is it legal?  Where is the source document which covers me should I get stopped with a couple dead dogs and an AR?

Thanks y'all.

Remember most laws are written what is not legal, The books would be huge if they had to write what is legal in every instance.

[Bob33]

Don't forget this re: caliber. A .243 would not be legal in certain instances.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-242


It shall be unlawful to hunt wildlife, except bear, cougar, mountain goat, mountain sheep, moose, or turkey, during any modern firearm deer or elk season, with any firearm 240 caliber or larger, or containing slugs or buckshot, unless valid license, permits and tags for modern firearm deer or elk seasons are in the hunter's possession.

[Bofire]

  Besides AR 5.56's wont kill a coyote anyhow.
Carl

[Doc Sauce]

Besides AR 5.56's wont kill a coyote anyhow.
Carl

That's funny!

[bear hunter]

Might be getting to go to the dry side for a 3 day yote hunt (among a few birds here and there  ).  I have been all over the WDFW site trying to figure out if 5.56 really is legal to shoot coyotes with.  They are listed as small game, but I cannot find anything saying I can use that caliber.

So...

Is it legal?  Where is the source document which covers me should I get stopped with a couple dead dogs and an AR?

Thanks y'all.

Just call the fish and game number is 425-775-1311 reg.4 office. I can't reamember,but I thought there was a new night rule this year about rifles being rim fire only and shotguns 4 or 6 shot and smaller.

[JLS]

Might be getting to go to the dry side for a 3 day yote hunt (among a few birds here and there  ).  I have been all over the WDFW site trying to figure out if 5.56 really is legal to shoot coyotes with.  They are listed as small game, but I cannot find anything saying I can use that caliber.

So...

Is it legal?  Where is the source document which covers me should I get stopped with a couple dead dogs and an AR?

Thanks y'all.

Just call the fish and game number is 425-775-1311 reg.4 office. I can't reamember,but I thought there was a new night rule this year about rifles being rim fire only and shotguns 4 or 6 shot and smaller.

Nope, proposal only.  Didn't go anywhere.

[Bob33]

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-047

A 5.56 is legal for small game because it is not explicitly illegal.

[Doc Sauce]

Awesome.  Thanks y'all.  I"m getting excited about the trip.  I also did not see any regulations saying I needed soft tip bullets either.  So that would mean FMJ is fine?  That is what I am currently counting on.  I'll call the DFW Monday to verify.

[JLS]

Awesome.  Thanks y'all.  I"m getting excited about the trip.  I also did not see any regulations saying I needed soft tip bullets either.  So that would mean FMJ is fine?  That is what I am currently counting on.  I'll call the DFW Monday to verify.

There is no regulation about bullet types for any kind of animal.  You can use FMJ to hunt elk or moose if you want.

[Doc Sauce]

Hmmm... 

The learning curve is steep for a new hunter.  I keep reading and talking and am getting smarter at this, but also recognize that I trusted a lot of people in the beginning.  I have done my best to verify these early assumptions, but it seems like some have slipped through.  I'm trying to figure out where that idea came from... see if I can go back to the guy and see what he was talking about.

Thanks JLS.  Ignorance is NOT bliss (and has left me with empty tags again...)

[JLS]

Doc,

There are a lot of urban legend hunting regs floating around out there.  My best advice is to thoroughly read the pamphlet.  Unfortunately, there's not one magical section because WFDW has stuff scattered throughout the booklet.  And you can't get Cliff notes

In a nutshell, it will tell you what restrictions there are on weapons, calibers, shot size, etc.  If it doesn't put a restriction on it (i.e. .240 caliber for big game, size 4 or smaller shot for turkey) then there isn't a restriction and you can use whatever.  Magazine capacity is another good example, three shells for waterfowl or game birds, but none for big game and/or small game.

Make sense?

[Bob33]

Doc Sauce,

Earlier you posted "They are listed as small game, but I cannot find anything saying I can use that caliber."

That is the wrong approach. The regulations do not often specify what is legal: they delineate what is not legal in most instances. You will not find anything indicating that 5.56 is legal for small game. More importantly you will not find any restriction on its use which means it is legal.

[Doc Sauce]

I really do appreciate y'alls input. 

I think I have been so nervous/anxious about doing something wrong and getting in trouble for it that I have gone from one perspective to another.  At first I read and asked questions in the manner, "Am I allowed to do..." And if I did not find anything that said no, I did it.  That seems to have given way to "Am I allowed to do..." And then I seem to look for something to cover my decision to do it so that I don't get in trouble. 

Maybe i've spent too much time on HuntWa reading threads about people getting in trouble and claiming ignorance...

Well... then from what I understand... I'll be using a 5.56 and a .308 with FMJs for a couple days... even though, apparently, 5.56 does not work for the dogs  .

Thanks again y'all.

[Bob33]

Good for you for being cautious and informed.

Now go get some song dogs.

[Bofire]

  So......
Doc, when we find yer mostly ate up body after ya try to kill a coyote with a 5.56 and it eats ya can I have yer rifle?? I use a .223 but I carry a 44 a 45 a shotgun and a hand grenade too. However you can kill a coyote, or try to, with about anything ya want.
good luck
Carl

[Doc Sauce]

So......
Doc, when we find yer mostly ate up body after ya try to kill a coyote with a 5.56 and it eats ya can I have yer rifle?? I use a .223 but I carry a 44 a 45 a shotgun and a hand grenade too. However you can kill a coyote, or try to, with about anything ya want.
good luck
Carl

I like your style bro!     I will make that deal with you!!  You find my dead, half eaten body, you may absolutely have my rifle.  Understand however, it may be bent and broken from trying to blugeon the dog to death as my grip on life and sanity loosens. 

And so you know... I am very safety aware.  I like to be prepared for everything, so I will be taking my 5.56, a Taurus .22, a Frost Cutlery vampire knife, and a bear whistle.  I plan on wearing nothing but cotton to stay warm (in case it rains).  Because water is a crutch for the weak and undisciplined, I plan on drinking nothing but coffee in the morning, and nothing but Mountain Dew and Whiskey, or Dr. Pepper during the day. 

Feel free to take my truck too...  Won't do me any good.

I guess I should also warn you... I do take narcotics in order to induce as real of an "unconscious stupor" while hunting. I like to lay down in an awkward position, stoned out of my gord, as I "bait" predators to myself.  When I come to, I swing wildly with my Frost blade until I win.  I have been known to bring buckets of pig blood and guts in order to simulate a realistic "hiker killed by a wolf" sittuation... so be sure to spend plenty of time observing me before claiming my 5.56 airsoft variant.

 

[Bob33]

 

Brilliant.

[Bofire]

  Geeeez, I loves ya Doc!!!
Carl

[Smossy]

Haha. Doc. You are a clever one sir lol. Hiker killed by wolf scenerio. Hah love it. Adding that one to my bucket list.

[Doc Sauce]

Y'all are welcome.

I'm getting really pretty pumped about the trip. 

I'm broke as all get out and promised my wife that this would be the last money spending trip of the year... It's my birthday so I kept that card in the pocket just in case. 

The only thing that makes me nervous is that I lost my sunglasses.  I know I know... how immature to be worried about glasses.  Last week (or a couple weeks ago) I was out near Yakima and this really strange giant ball of fire started circling the earth.  I'm not sure what you drysiders call it, but I really could have used some glasses to block out the glare from the snow. 

I have several sets of lenses for some Oakley M frames, but lost the frames on a deployment this summer...

Oh well.  Maybe that strange glowing mass will remain behind clouds for the weekend.

Thanks for the info about caliber and bullets.  I'll bring a camera just in case I actually close the deal on something.  6 years of hunting and fishign and so far I've gotten 1 squirrel (in NC), and 1 Pheasant (Moses Lake). 

[halflife65]

Huh...there really is something called the Frost Cutlery Vampire Bat Knife.  I probably should pick one up so I can stab all the vampire bats I have flying around the place.  They're a nuisance.

Friggin' Mayans were wrong, so the fiery ball of light you westsiders never see must not be the end of the world.  However, I hear that the next big thing is the Hopi prophecy; maybe it has something to do with that.  Anyway, when the fiery ball of light ends up running out of hydrogen in 5 billion years or so and starts burning helium the Mayans and Hopis can say "I told you so!" as it expands beyond earth's orbit.  In the meantime, slap on the SPF15 and don't worry about it.

[Doc Sauce]

Huh...there really is something called the Frost Cutlery Vampire Bat Knife.  I probably should pick one up so I can stab all the vampire bats I have flying around the place.  They're a nuisance.

Friggin' Mayans were wrong, so the fiery ball of light you westsiders never see must not be the end of the world.  However, I hear that the next big thing is the Hopi prophecy; maybe it has something to do with that.  Anyway, when the fiery ball of light ends up running out of hydrogen in 5 billion years or so and starts burning helium the Mayans and Hopis can say "I told you so!" as it expands beyond earth's orbit.  In the meantime, slap on the SPF15 and don't worry about it.

Not called that per se, but absolutely useful for it.  I mean, take a look at these and tell me you wouldn't use them to chase bat around  your house with one. 

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Master+Cutlery/Master+Cutlery%26%23153%3B+Griffin+Fantasy+Knife/DBFM568.html

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Szco%C2%AE/Swing+Blade%26%23153%3B+Fantasy+Knife/DH7875.html

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/United+Cutlery/Kit+Rae%26%23153%3B+The+Valdris%26%23153%3B+-+Special+Deep+Etched+Edition/UCKR8SE.html

Just for you halflife...

[h20hunter]

Nice links Doc.....I wouldn't use them to chase bats....I would use them to slice cheese and stuff when I host my weekly Star Trek/Klingon (sp?) round table.

[Kain]

   Sorry but you you might want to check the swords, spears, knives, axes and clubs.  Not that a coyote is really considered a "game" animal but..... 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01383/wdfw01383.pdf   Page 76

• Hunt game birds or game animals with
anything other than a firearm, a bow and
arrow, or by falconry. Bullfrogs may only
be taken by angling, hand dip netting,
gigging, and bow and arrow.