Coyote legal weapons?

[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.