spotlighting question

[chrisb]

Saw this in the regs and i've seen threads where guys talk about red lights... does this not apply to yotes?
1. Hunting with artificial lights:
Hunting big game with the aid of an artificial
light or spotlight is prohibited.

What about this... it says :
Using night vision and laser sights:
It is illegal to hunt deer or elk with the aid of
infrared night vision equipment or with laser
sights (not to include range finders) capable
of projecting a beam onto the target, while in
possession or control of a firearm, bow and
arrow, or crossbow.

So then lasers and night vision are ok for yotes hunting?


I'm just starting to get into coyotes hunting and i'm looking for all the help, advice, and advantage i can get so any wisdom is appreciated.

[Sneaky]

I think coyote are considered small game?

[Machias]

Using lights at night for yotes, bobcats and coons is perfectly legal...at least for the time being.  Make sure it is during the season.  Some guys make the mistake of thinking since yotes are open year round they can hunt at night year round, that is not the case.

[Bullelk]

Also the spotlight can't be permanently attached to the vehicle. 

[wablkandtan]

why can you not hunt yotes at night year round?  if the season is open year round why not?

[wastickslinger]

why can you not hunt yotes at night year round?  if the season is open year round why not?

because of the big game seasons going on

[carpsniperg2]

i do a ton of spotlighting and let me tell you from a wardens mouth that i talk to allot, yes it is legal to spotlight small game at night yes yote is open year round and yes night vision and laser are legal for small game. but you can not hunt them at night when the season's for big game animals are open that is why not year round "at night". LET ME PUT THE GREY AREA ON THE TABLE: UNLESS YOU ARE A DISABLED HUNTER WITH THE RIGHT PERMIT YOU CAN NOT SHOOT OR HAVE A LOADED RIFLE OR SHOTGUN IN THE MOTORIZED RIG AND CAN NOT SHOOT FROM A PUBLIC ROAD! allot of people think just because it is legal to spotlight that it is legal to shoot from the rig and from the road and that is not true at all!!! and you are looking at big trouble if you get caught doing it. this is what i know from talking with the law and many years of hunting and learning. hope this helps you and other out.

[Machias]

It's not just the big game seasons, read the night hunting part of the regs, night hunting is only legal during raccoon and bobcat season if there is no modern firarms deer or elk going on.  Night hunting ends March 15th.

Night Hunting and Hound Hunting
During Deer and Elk Hunting Seasons
Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons, EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night
or wild animals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season. The use of
hounds to hunt black bear, cougar, bobcat, or coyote is prohibited year round except during commission authorized hunts.

[carpsniperg2]

i don't hunt anything but yotes and bobs myself "at night" and i am going by what the only guy that has the right to give me a ticket says the local game warden i have been pulled over time and time again by local cops that get the call because some one seen me shining only to have the warden pull up and see my truck talk to the officer for 2 sec come say hi and tell me to have a good night go back and head for home allot of the time i will just call tell him that i am going to be out shining and if he gets a call he knows its me and will tell them to disregard and save the tax payers fuel bill.

[MtnMuley]

It's a good idea to have a cordless spotlight with you also.  If the wdfw officer wants, he can write you for hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle if the spotlight is plugged into the cigarette lighter....even if you're off the road to shoot.  Each officer is different, and generally when people hear shooting and night and see spotlights shining the hillsides, the law officers will be called.  Be prepared for this (ducks in a row).

[chrisb]

What about scope mounted red lights?

[Machias]

What about scope mounted red lights?

Perfectly legal.  So is night vision equipment.

[jamng]

Spend the money buy a gen 3 night vision scope. I have the Aries 7800 defender. Put it on a a AR-15 And your set.. The Dogs come running at 9:30 pm with a mouse call. I have had them run up to me within 15 yards. I had to yell at them to stop them so they did'nt run me over..JAMNG

[Special T]

Gen 3 = Cha Ching $$$$$ it is awesome though...

[jamng]

Just don't tell the wife I have it... Thanks..