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Sunday, January 12, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 10C 





District 9 of the Pennsylvania Trappers Association will hold its annual
coyote hunt Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 and will offer a $2,000 prize to the hunter who
bags the heaviest coyote. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In addition, a $200 prize will be awarded for the heaviest coyote weighed
in each day, and $50 will be awarded for all other coyotes turned in during
the hunt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Weigh-in will be at the Triton Hose Co. in Tunkhannock from noon to 8 p.m.
Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The weigh-in ends at 3 p.m. Feb. 2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coyotes taken in eight counties - Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming,
Lackawanna, Pike, Luzerne and Sullivan - are eligible. Coyotes may be taken by
hunting only. No trapped coyotes are allowed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 2001, 295 hunters registered for the event and 17 coyotes were taken.
The heaviest weighed 47 pounds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Last year, 600 hunters registered and 15 coyotes were signed in, according
to Bill Kalinauskis, of the trappers' association. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There was no snow on the ground last year, and there were a lot of missed
opportunities," Kalinauskis said. "It looks like there will be snow this year.
Maybe it will pack down some." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State Game Commission biologists estimate there are about 30,000 coyotes in
Pennsylvania. It is believed the Eastern version of these animals at some
point bred with wolves. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Snowfall is an advantage to hunters. Coyotes have four different pelt
colorations, and each helps them to blend in with their environment. But they
are like deer in that they show up better against a snowy background. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coyotes are more plentiful than bears or bobcats in Pennsylvania, but they
remain elusive and are seldom seen by those who seek them out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They are animals that are at home in suburban areas and the outskirts of
cities as well as the remote woods. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Most often their tracks are seen or howls are heard, but they remain
evasive. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Game Commission hunting regulations will apply during the hunt, and coyotes
must be taken by fair chase or stalk methods. In case of a tie, the first
coyote weighed in wins. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A weigh-in buffet, included in the entry fee, will be held for all entrants
on Feb. 2 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Triton Hose Co. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If hunting is to be done in groups, all members of the group must be
registered in the hunt. The hunt committee may not award prizes for 72 hours
after the hunt ends to allow review of the animals and verification of rules
compliance. An autopsy may be done on animals that the hunt committee deems
suspicious. All entries agree that the decision of the hunt committee is
final. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Any infractions will result in immediate disqualification of the entry
involved, and all prize monies will be forfeited. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An early registration fee of $25 is due by Jan. 19. After that, the
registration fee is $30. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Send the registration fee to: Northeast Regional Coyote Hunt, RR 2, Box
3236, Union Dale, Pa. 18470. Make checks payable to: District 9, Pa. Trappers
Association. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For information, call 679-2318 or 942-6895. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

$2000 Payoff For Heaviest Coyote