Coyote Legal Hunting?

[Smossy]

I know I could just skim the regs until my brain hurts and I find the answer Im looking for but Id rather just ask some of you guys that may already have an answer for me.
I may get a few odd looks for this one but thats fine.

Are there any legal requirements that goes along with hunting coyote?
I know there is no bag limit.
I know open hunting season for them is year round.


What I don't know is there a weapon requirement.

Ive been looking into purchasing a pneumatic .357 air rifle and being as its used for medium/large game like water buffalo and bison. I imagine it will have no problem taking out a song dog. But I'm concerned about the legality considering its an "air rifle".

Would it be legal? It would be more then humane...

[bowhunterwa87]

I can not own a firearm due to federal felony.... I currently have a PcP .25 Condor ss I purchased from a member on this site and it is legal to hunt coyotes with them.
Great gun out to 100 yards...

It punches clean through a 2x4 at sixty...haven't tried further yet.

I wish they were legal for grouse and turkeys here...

[Smossy]

Excellent. Just what I wanted to hear, it would help me reach out effectively further than my bow and would be excellent for dispatching trapped animals.
I'm in the same boat as you with prior felonies.

[Raul Duke]

just a heads-up. If you are hunting coyotes during rifle season, you must wear hunters orange.

[Smossy]

just a heads-up. If you are hunting coyotes during rifle season, you must wear hunters orange.

Good call thanks, didn't even think about that.

[bowhunterwa87]

And as far as dispatching...no small game ie bobcats....

Just a thought...Missouri allows the use of 40cal or bigger for deer hunting with airguns...u might think about upping your cal for out of state trips.

[Smossy]

And as far as dispatching...no small game ie bobcats....

Just a thought...Missouri allows the use of 40cal or bigger for deer hunting with airguns...u might think about upping your cal for out of state trips.

No dispatching? What do you mean... That's the only way id dispatch a bobcat during trapping season..

[bowhunterwa87]

I think it would be a legallity issue as you cannot "hunt" any type of small game or fur bearers with an air rifle..only unclassified wildlife ..... And coyote is unclassified wildlife ...so are our local grey squirrels on the east side...

We need to make a list of unclassified animals in wa. As I haven't been able to find any...

[Smossy]

I think it would be a legallity issue as you cannot "hunt" any type of small game or fur bearers with an air rifle..only unclassified wildlife ..... And coyote is unclassified wildlife ...so are our local grey squirrels on the east side...

We need to make a list of unclassified animals in wa. As I haven't been able to find any...

Its perfectly legal for trapping purposes. Has to be a .22 minimum caliber though.

[Goldeneye]

I think it would be a legallity issue as you cannot "hunt" any type of small game or fur bearers with an air rifle..only unclassified wildlife ..... And coyote is unclassified wildlife ...so are our local grey squirrels on the east side...

We need to make a list of unclassified animals in wa. As I haven't been able to find any...

Here's your list showing unclassified animals.  I pulled the PDF from the WDFW site.  Open the link below...

[bowhunterwa87]

o right on. I didn't know that.

[dreamunelk]

Hold off for awhile.  I think allowing some airguns was in the latest round of proposals for the 3 year package.  Not sure the caliber recommendations but, once accepted easier to change to fit other states.

[bowhunterwa87]

Thanks for the chart  goldeneye

[KenPCPilot]

I don't think air rifles are legal yet.

[Smossy]

I don't think air rifles are legal yet.

that was my concern. For big game I know they are not but coyotes make a grey area.