Illegal to hunt coyotes at night.

[Bofire]

 :)You guys ever heard of the "Right to Hunt" change to the state constitution? Now do you think it is important?
duh
Carl

[Jburke]

So now what about outside of bobcat/raccoon season? (Sept 1 to Mar 15) It almost sounds like night hunting for coyotes is only legal during that season, but I don't think that's the case, correct?

This is also my question.  The way it's worded it looks like you CANNOT hunt at night outside of the bobcat/ racoon seasons.   

[DaveR]

You are right.  I was just saying the scary parts is that they can make changes to regs after they are printed and make something illegal when it clearly says its OK in the regs.  I doubt any officer is going to mess with you over it and will probably just inform you of the changes.

 Don't count on it. Its up to us to know the laws. All the rule changes going on drives me buggy. I won't get into that now..lol, but with much of the fishing changes. I understand why as they are dealing with unknowns. This is different. I read all the posts. Kain I understand your frustration. I say go hunting if worrying about this doesn't take the fun out of it. Being right, and having to argue about it with a wdfw officer that isn't sure of the laws him, or herself is no fun. I say that with experience.

 I need to stop now.   Thanks for sharing.

[Kain]

I think it all got resolved.  I went out for one night hunt so far but no luck.  It is still late archery deer for me so I have not had lots of extra time and money to get out for the predators.   Starting in January I plan on lots of time in the brush day and night for the rest of the season.

[predatorpro]

we dont hunt coyotes at night we just "kill" coyotes at night there is a difference hehe j/k

[grundy53]

i know this thread is all but dead bud i was cleaning out my saved emails and came across a correspondance i had with the mill creek office. It seams like they gave me a straight forward answer the first time i asked. Sounds like there wasn't any confusion to them they must be smarter. lol 


(Their reply)
That rule about hunting at night during bobcat and raccoon season refers strictly bobcats and raccoons as they have set established season.  Coyotes are year round (unless using hounds).  You just need to make sure there is not a modern firearm season open for deer or elk.  Hope this helps.
 
Sincerely,
Region 4 Customer Service
>>> <spoons5332@aol.com> 07/22/2008 2:05 PM >>>

(my email to them)
i was reading the hunting regulations and it states that it is legal to hunt Coyotes at night during bobcat and raccoon season. as long as there is no centerfire season open for deer or elk. I was wondering if it is only ok to hunt coyotes at night during bobcat and raccoon season. or can i hunt them at night during the winter/ summer  too. as long as there is no modern rifle season open? i would apreciate any help you could give me on this. thank you.

[CoryTDF]

Guess who has two thumbs and is going spotlighting tonight?..............  This guy!

[Kain]

Guess who has two thumbs and is going spotlighting tonight?..............  This guy!

Good luck, take pics.

[cornhuskid]

 

Yeah...  I hate to bring this up, but I would also hate for anyone to get in trouble, so...

I was told by Lori Preuss at Fish and Game that night hunting is allowed ONLY from Sept 1 - March 31, and only when no other rifle season for big game was open.  I am hoping that meant Elk and Deer, NOT Bear and Cougar!  This all started when I asked about using a crossbow for non-game animals like Coyotes.   See below...


Email 1 to her.

Lori,

I need to ask a question for a buddy of mine.  He has his "crossbow exemption" card for deer hunting during archery, and wanted to know if using a crossbow was legal for him for Coyotes at night.  Would it be legal for someone without the exemption?

(now if I can just figure out a way to mount that Night Vision scope on a crossbow...)

Thank you,


Reply 1.

If he has a special use permit, he can hunt with a crossbow in any season that allows archery equipment.  If he doesn’t have a special use permit, he cannot hunt with a crossbow. 

You know you can’t mount a night vision scope on a crossbow.   

Lori


Email 2.

For Big Game, yes.  I thought Coyotes were a non-game species?  (which is why I asked about the use of them for Coyote hunting by non-handicapped hunters).

If I understand your first email correctly then, it is OK to hunt Coyotes (only) at night anytime of the year EXCEPT during the days and areas where a big game centerfire season is open.

THANK YOU for your time on this.  I just want to be sure we are legal.

Jeff


Reply 2.

You’re only allowed to hunt coyote during established bobcat and raccoon seasons


Email 3.

Oh Boy, now I am confused!  Is this for night hunting only, or day as well?

Reply 3.

That’s for night hunting.  The season for coyote is open year-round for daytime hunting.  I’m sorry to confuse you


Email 4.

That's OK, I am easilty confused!

So - if I am reading you correctly, night hunting for Coyote is legal (this year) from Sept 1st through March 15th, except for the months of Sept, Oct and Nov where big game centerfire seasons are in effect.  It is totally legal at night during muzzleloader and archery, just not centerfire.

Thanks,


Reply 4.

Correct!


Email 5.

We are almost there...

Since Coyote is a non-game species, can I (a non-disabled hunter) use a crossbow either during the day or night to hunt them? 

 
Reply 5.

No, you can’t use a crossbow.  Even though coyote are non-game species, the general weapons rules still apply.  Otherwise, we’d have folks using automatic rifles on coyote


Email 6.

Again, thank you so much.  I am sure you typically don't have someone burning your day over Coyotes!  I do have a question.  Why no night hunting for a non-game species (Coyotes) from April - Aug?  Is this a non-game rule or a night hunting rule?

 
Reply 6.

It’s a night hunting rule, and the reason for it is that we have lots of folks in the state who wander around in the wilderness from April through August.  We don’t want any of them to get shot.  September should probably also be included, for that reason, but it’s not.  I’m not implying that coyote hunters have bad aim or are careless.  It’s just difficult to see folks bedded down in the dark

[yelp]

Yeah...  I hate to bring this up, but I would also hate for anyone to get in trouble, so...

I was told by Lori Preuss at Fish and Game that night hunting is allowed ONLY from Sept 1 - March 31, and only when no other rifle season for big game was open.  I am hoping that meant Elk and Deer, NOT Bear and Cougar!  This all started when I asked about using a crossbow for non-game animals like Coyotes.   See below...


Email 1 to her.

Lori,

I need to ask a question for a buddy of mine.  He has his "crossbow exemption" card for deer hunting during archery, and wanted to know if using a crossbow was legal for him for Coyotes at night.  Would it be legal for someone without the exemption?

(now if I can just figure out a way to mount that Night Vision scope on a crossbow...)

Thank you,


Reply 1.

If he has a special use permit, he can hunt with a crossbow in any season that allows archery equipment.  If he doesn’t have a special use permit, he cannot hunt with a crossbow. 

You know you can’t mount a night vision scope on a crossbow.   

Lori


Email 2.

For Big Game, yes.  I thought Coyotes were a non-game species?  (which is why I asked about the use of them for Coyote hunting by non-handicapped hunters).

If I understand your first email correctly then, it is OK to hunt Coyotes (only) at night anytime of the year EXCEPT during the days and areas where a big game centerfire season is open.

THANK YOU for your time on this.  I just want to be sure we are legal.

Jeff


Reply 2.

You’re only allowed to hunt coyote during established bobcat and raccoon seasons


Email 3.

Oh Boy, now I am confused!  Is this for night hunting only, or day as well?

Reply 3.

That’s for night hunting.  The season for coyote is open year-round for daytime hunting.  I’m sorry to confuse you


Email 4.

That's OK, I am easilty confused!

So - if I am reading you correctly, night hunting for Coyote is legal (this year) from Sept 1st through March 15th, except for the months of Sept, Oct and Nov where big game centerfire seasons are in effect.  It is totally legal at night during muzzleloader and archery, just not centerfire.

Thanks,


Reply 4.

Correct!


Email 5.

We are almost there...

Since Coyote is a non-game species, can I (a non-disabled hunter) use a crossbow either during the day or night to hunt them? 

 
Reply 5.

No, you can’t use a crossbow.  Even though coyote are non-game species, the general weapons rules still apply.  Otherwise, we’d have folks using automatic rifles on coyote


Email 6.

Again, thank you so much.  I am sure you typically don't have someone burning your day over Coyotes!  I do have a question.  Why no night hunting for a non-game species (Coyotes) from April - Aug?  Is this a non-game rule or a night hunting rule?

 
Reply 6.

It’s a night hunting rule, and the reason for it is that we have lots of folks in the state who wander around in the wilderness from April through August.  We don’t want any of them to get shot.  September should probably also be included, for that reason, but it’s not.  I’m not implying that coyote hunters have bad aim or are careless.  It’s just difficult to see folks bedded down in the dark

Welcome to the DEPT of RECREATION and Conservation!   

[shotguunar]

bobcat,raccoon,and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons.  hers what you guys arent seeing Except that 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 or elk season'''''''''''' bobcat,fox coyote, raccoon sept. 1 to march 15 this is the season there is no center fire rifle season until oct 16 to the 31  in whatcom county you cant hunt at night during those months during the center fire season with hounds this is what it is saying.doesnt say anything about archery seasons only centerfire seasons it also doesnt say anything about hunting without hounds at night during those times . the way i read it is you can hunt at night during those seasons as long as you are not using hounds Forgot to put in deer season and coyote is open year round

[billythekidrock]

Yeah...  I hate to bring this up, but I would also hate for anyone to get in trouble, so...

I was told by Lori Preuss at Fish and Game that night hunting is allowed ONLY from Sept 1 - March 31, and only when no other rifle season for big game was open.  I am hoping that meant Elk and Deer, NOT Bear and Cougar!  This all started when I asked about using a crossbow for non-game animals like Coyotes.   See below...


Email 1 to her.

Lori,

I need to ask a question for a buddy of mine.  He has his "crossbow exemption" card for deer hunting during archery, and wanted to know if using a crossbow was legal for him for Coyotes at night.  Would it be legal for someone without the exemption?

(now if I can just figure out a way to mount that Night Vision scope on a crossbow...)

Thank you,


Reply 1.

If he has a special use permit, he can hunt with a crossbow in any season that allows archery equipment.  If he doesn’t have a special use permit, he cannot hunt with a crossbow. 

You know you can’t mount a night vision scope on a crossbow.   

Lori


Email 2.

For Big Game, yes.  I thought Coyotes were a non-game species?  (which is why I asked about the use of them for Coyote hunting by non-handicapped hunters).

If I understand your first email correctly then, it is OK to hunt Coyotes (only) at night anytime of the year EXCEPT during the days and areas where a big game centerfire season is open.

THANK YOU for your time on this.  I just want to be sure we are legal.

Jeff


Reply 2.

You’re only allowed to hunt coyote during established bobcat and raccoon seasons


Email 3.

Oh Boy, now I am confused!  Is this for night hunting only, or day as well?

Reply 3.

That’s for night hunting.  The season for coyote is open year-round for daytime hunting.  I’m sorry to confuse you


Email 4.

That's OK, I am easilty confused!

So - if I am reading you correctly, night hunting for Coyote is legal (this year) from Sept 1st through March 15th, except for the months of Sept, Oct and Nov where big game centerfire seasons are in effect.  It is totally legal at night during muzzleloader and archery, just not centerfire.

Thanks,


Reply 4.

Correct!


Email 5.

We are almost there...

Since Coyote is a non-game species, can I (a non-disabled hunter) use a crossbow either during the day or night to hunt them? 

 
Reply 5.

No, you can’t use a crossbow.  Even though coyote are non-game species, the general weapons rules still apply.  Otherwise, we’d have folks using automatic rifles on coyote


Email 6.

Again, thank you so much.  I am sure you typically don't have someone burning your day over Coyotes!  I do have a question.  Why no night hunting for a non-game species (Coyotes) from April - Aug?  Is this a non-game rule or a night hunting rule?

 
Reply 6.

It’s a night hunting rule, and the reason for it is that we have lots of folks in the state who wander around in the wilderness from April through August.  We don’t want any of them to get shot.  September should probably also be included, for that reason, but it’s not.  I’m not implying that coyote hunters have bad aim or are careless.  It’s just difficult to see folks bedded down in the dark

Lori has a history of inaccurate and confusing emails.

[billythekidrock]

Email 6.

Again, thank you so much.  I am sure you typically don't have someone burning your day over Coyotes!  I do have a question.  Why no night hunting for a non-game species (Coyotes) from April - Aug?  Is this a non-game rule or a night hunting rule?

 
Reply 6.

It’s a night hunting rule, and the reason for it is that we have lots of folks in the state who wander around in the wilderness from April through August.  We don’t want any of them to get shot.  September should probably also be included, for that reason, but it’s not.  I’m not implying that coyote hunters have bad aim or are careless.  It’s just difficult to see folks bedded down in the dark

Her last response is very scary and it is that mentality that closes seasons.

[CAMPMEAT]

She probably graduated from Evergreen State (liberal hippie college).

[bobcat]

Email 6.

Again, thank you so much.  I am sure you typically don't have someone burning your day over Coyotes!  I do have a question.  Why no night hunting for a non-game species (Coyotes) from April - Aug?  Is this a non-game rule or a night hunting rule?

 
Reply 6.

It’s a night hunting rule, and the reason for it is that we have lots of folks in the state who wander around in the wilderness from April through August.  We don’t want any of them to get shot.  September should probably also be included, for that reason, but it’s not.  I’m not implying that coyote hunters have bad aim or are careless.  It’s just difficult to see folks bedded down in the dark

Her last response is very scary and it is that mentality that closes seasons.

How many people are hunting coyotes in the "wilderness"?  Maybe she didn't really mean for that word to be taken literally but it just shows how out of touch with reality she is. And if that's the case, why is September through March any different? I wrote two letters to Fish & Wildlife last night in regards to the proposed 2011 hunting seasons- I wish I would have thought to say something about how we need this night hunting rule clarified so there's no ambiguity. It's ridiculous when you get different answers as to what is legal when you ask different WDFW employess.