Published: March 05, 2008 10:19 pm      

Sportsmen’s clubs planning coyote hunt

NICKTOWN — Two area sportsmen’s clubs are hoping to raise their memberships by hosting their first coyote hunt this weekend.

Colver Sportsmens Club and Barr Township Rod & Gun Club have a combined membership of about 800. They are expecting about 100 to 150 to hunt the abundant, wild canine throughout the state.

Hunt organizer Bill Buck, a member of both clubs, said registrations will be accepted until midnight tonight at the Colver club, 570 Wolfe Road between Nicktown and Ebensburg.

Buck said the only requirement is membership in one of the clubs. Those who would like to participate but are not members can join both for $10 when registering for the hunt. There also is a $10 fee to register for the hunt, plus a $2 administration fee.

“(The hunt) is something to try to raise money for sportsmen’s clubs,” Buck said. “A lot of other clubs are having one and are successful, and we thought we’d try it.”

Hunters can begin hunting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. Buck said hunters must obey state game laws and hunt only on permitted property.

Successful hunters must report back to the club with their coyotes by 6 p.m. Sunday.

“We’re trying to give an incentive to hunt (coyotes),” Buck said. “Believe it or not, they are very abundant in the state.”

Buck said he lives in rural Barr Township in an area between the two clubs, and he has seen coyotes on his and surrounding properties.

“Coyotes won’t do damage to property, but they are an animal that will go after game animals,” he said.

“They’ll go after small animals, like rabbits, squirrel, fawns or young deer, chickens and cats.”

And despite a coyote population estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 and growing, the nocturnal animals are difficult to find.

“They’re hard to hunt because they’re sly,” Buck said. “I’ve only seen a few in my lifetime as a sportsman, and I’ve never gotten a shot off at one.”

According to the game commission’s Web site, eastern coyotes have become more common than black bears, bobcats and otters during the past 30 years. Other than the bear, it is the state’s largest predatory animal.

Buck said most successful coyote hunters have their kill mounted or keep the fur for rugs.