Syracuse.com - Statewide coyote hunting contest with $2,000 grand prize set for Feb. 7-9

[HuntingNY-News]

Danchak said proceeds from the coyote hunt go toward a wide variety of the Federation's activities, including paying for fishing derbies and sending youngsters to the state Department of Environmental Conservation's summer camp.

The 7th annual, statewide Coyote Hunt was announced recently by the Federation of Sportmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.

Included in the announcement was the $2,000 grand prize for the hunter who turns in the heaviest coyote during the three-day competition set for Feb. 7-9. The tournament directors also noted steps they're taking to ensure fairness and keep cheating to a minimum.

Tournament spokesman Dan Danchak said all coyotes, regardless of where were shot, have to be weighed at the White Sulphur Springs Firehouse near Liberty. Dranchak said coyote hunters come from all over the state to compete. Liberty is about a three-hour drive from Syracuse.

Last year, the hunt had 755 hunters. The biggest turnout in the hunt's 7-year history was in 2010, when 1,066 hunters signed up.

The coyotes must be taken by hunting only. No coyotes killed by trapping are allowed. The use of dogs to hunt is permitted. "All state hunting regulations must be followed. All coyotes must be taken by fair chase/stalk methods," Danchak said.

Hunters must have a current small game hunting license. There's no daily take limit to how many coyotes a hunter can kill and they can be hunted day or night, according to the DEC hunting guide. The season lasts from Oct. 1 to March 30.

Danchak highly recommends bringing in coyotes the day they were killed.

"All coyotes will be body temperature- tested," he said. "A temperature below 68 degrees is a disqualification."

The idea, he said, is to eliminate any cheater who would kill the coyote outside of the three-day tournament, freeze it and then try to enter it. Danchak's suggestions for those who have to travel great distances include:

"Use whatever means necessary to keep the body temperature about the 68 degrees," he said. "Wrap the coyote in bag, tarp, blanket or put it in an ice chest. Do not expose the coyote to the elements before weigh-in."

He said the winning coyote usually averages between 45 and 55 pounds. One year, the winner weighed 75 pounds. It was shot near Grahamsville in Sullivan County.

"It taken on farm where there was a lot butchering going on and there was entrails from the cows and hogs that were being tossed out (and accessible), Danchak said. "That coyote was eating pretty good."

Danchak said proceeds from the coyote hunt go toward a wide variety of Federation's activities, including paying for fishing derbies and sending youngsters to the state Department of Environmental Conservation's summer camp.

For more, see the Sullivan County Federation's website at sullivancountysportsmensfederationny.com or call Danchak at 845-482-4987.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog