Coyote Legal Hunting?

[woodswalker]

I know that airguns were being considered in the last rulemaking...but dont know how that came out...and not sure on the legality for what he wants to do..but I'd err on the side of caution...and not do it.  OR call or better WRITE WDFW and ask for specific rules (cite them) either way.

I did a few fast document searches, but couldnt find anything either way

[jjaba]

Great Question since I live in a firearm restriction zone I brought that question to WDFW and asked. they put me to the point in the book that states
Prohibited to:
Hunt game birds or game animals
with anything other than a firearm,
a bow and arrow, or by falconry.
page 80

they said since Coyote is listed in the Small Game regs it is considered a Game animal.

[bowhunterwa87]

In the link goldeneye provided it only says coyote are unclassified.....says nothing about them being a game animal.

[fast1]

Any thing from your red rider to your elephant torpedo thrower. Yes that includes,pistols,bows,muzzleloaders and rifles.

[jjaba]

This is the answer I received when I asked WDFW about air rifles and Coyotes.

Although we do have rules that apply to hunting them, a coyote is considered an unclassified animal. You can use any type of weapon to hunt an unclassified animal in Wa.
So, technically, you can hunt coyote with an air rifle.

However, this type of weapon may or may not kill the animal.  This would cause undo pain and suffering and in some circumstances might be considered animal cruelty by an enforcement officer.  Therefore we would advise against it to avoid a citation or having the animal run off injured.

If you have other questions about this subject, I would advise you to contact our WILDCOMM center at wildcomm@dfw.wa.gov  or 360-902-2936.

[bearmanric]

Smossy don't for get coyotes need to be at least 36 inch's long. Rick

[jennyfell55]

According to this coyotes with an air rifle is perfectly legal (since coyotes are unclassified wildlife)

http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/356/I+heard+about+hunting+unclassified+wildlife.+What+do+I+need+to+purchase+and+what+type+of+weapons+can+I+use+to+hunt+them%3F

[Becky]

According to this coyotes with an air rifle is perfectly legal (since coyotes are unclassified wildlife)

http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/356/I+heard+about+hunting+unclassified+wildlife.+What+do+I+need+to+purchase+and+what+type+of+weapons+can+I+use+to+hunt+them%3F

I would call that "in writing"    I know what he'll be saving up for next 

[bigtex]

I know open hunting season for them is year round.

The only exception is US Fish and Wildlife Service land (National Wildlife Refuges.) The only NWR open for coyote hunting in WA is the Pend Orielle NWR in Stevens and Pend Orielle Counties. Even though many other NWR's are open to other types of hunting, only the Pend Orielle is open to coyotes.

This is not in the WDFW regs because it is a federal regulation that WDFW has not yet adopted.

[jasnt]

I've been wondering about this too. My brother is in the same boat and wants to hunt coyotes.

[YellowDog]

I have seen a coyote in the very small greenbelt behind my house/yard in the city of Lynnwood twice in the past month or so.  He doesn't really bother me (my two labs know he is around and bark their heads off at him) but on Monday I got a good look at him from less than 30 feet and he looked sickly and didn't exhibit what I consider normal coyote behavior and posture.  I am most concerned with him carrying disease that gets to my dogs.  I called the WDFW and they guy I talked to told me they won't do anything about the coyote but it is legal to kill them with any type of weapon (he even said you could use a pitchfork though he wouldn't reccomend it  ).  He suggested a large caliber air rifle IF it is legal in the location you would be firing that type of weapon.  You can't shoot airguns or bows/arrows in Lynnwood so I will have to clear a little brush from my property and make the area a little less attractive to him.  Anyway, large caliber air rilfes are legal just get fairly close and make good shot placements.

[trapper boy]

The washington hunting regulations doesn't have certain weapons requirements. I'm pretty sure there is no weapon requirement except the basic weapon size requirement.

[Bob33]

An air rifle is not legal, although you probably would not be cited with a coyote.

Pitchforks aren't legal either.

[whackmaster]

RWS 350 .22 cal will do the job 

[jjaba]

this is what I got from WDFW when I asked them:

Although we do have rules that apply to hunting them, a coyote is considered an unclassified animal. You can use any type of weapon to hunt an unclassified animal in Wa.
So, technically, you can hunt coyote with an air rifle.

However, this type of weapon may or may not kill the animal.  This would cause undo pain and suffering and in some circumstances might be considered animal cruelty by an enforcement officer.  Therefore we would advise against it to avoid a citation or having the animal run off injured.

If you have other questions about this subject, I would advise you to contact our WILDCOMM center at wildcomm@dfw.wa.gov  or 360-902-2936.