Night Time Coyotes

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I'm doing a poll to present during the TWRC comment period to get the idea of night time hunting started. Pls share your opinion.


viewtopic.php?f=19&t=340994

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

I think the more killed the better,night or day.

 

[Lone Hunter]

I think the more killed the better,night or day.

+ 1000 on this. I have always said if they want coyotes killed let us hunt at night like we used to. It's funny other states do this and have no problems with it. I would really like to see this happen. Thank You for pursuing this.

 

[matt_brown]

I'm all for it. I'd be happy with shotgun only. I personally dont see a problem with hunting at night its not like there are alot of people that coyote hunt. Poachers are gonna poach regardless.

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[D84]

Yes sir. I'm 100% for it. They say it is a safety issue but it is fine to go out at night and shoot a .22 straight up in the air at a coon with no clue where the bullet is going to come back down. Makes absolutely no sence to me. Atleast coyote you are shooting at ground level.

 

[jbhtn]

We should most definitely be allowed to hunt coyotes at night. Rimfire and shotgun would be ok with me even if it's only allowed after deer season. If other states can allow this to be done why should it be determined that we are not capable of doing it in Tennessee.

 

[matt_brown]

Look at ohio.
Any weapon
any time
any way
except for during the deer gun season.

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[fritoman]

I'm for it. I agree just limited number that will do regardless

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[scn]

In the FWIW category on the night time hunting of coyotes, I'll give you my opinion on what might be possible and what isn't.

To start, a night time season using centerfire weapons will be STRONGLY opposed by TWRA. While the Commission ultimately sets the season, I would be surprised to see them make that change over total opposition from the agency. There are several issues that make a night time any weapon season problematic for TN:

-There are significant safety issues. The accidental killing of a US Forest Service officer in GA by a night time coyote hunter a few years ago is evidence of the safety issue. The size of many of the TN hunting properties just does not lend itself to safe shooting at night with centerfire weapons.

-There are some fairly significant law enforcement issues toward deer and bear opening up centerfire weapons at night. While the "poachers gonna poach" deal has a little merit, there are others that will not be able to resist a momentary lapse of judgement. TWRA will oppose something they know will make their job more difficult.

-There is a state statute, done by the legislature and not by the Commission, that makes it illegal to kill any fox while using an electronic caller. At centerfire (or rimfire rifle) type ranges, there would be illegal shooting of foxes and probably some other non-target animals due to the difficulties of identification at night at distances. It would take the legislature changing that statute to remove that issue. I would be surprised to see that happen.

The same type of safety and identification issues would likely be there for any rimfire rifles as well. I would suspect that any rifle would be strongly opposed by TWRA.

However, some of the issues I cited above are lessened to a degree with shotguns using the size T shot or smaller ammo. I would still expect TWRA to oppose a night coyote season even if was shotgun only. However, it might be something that the Commission would consider. So, for those of you that are wanting to hunt some yotes at night, I would suggest concentrating on a February-August shotgun only night season.I would be surprised to see it come to pass, but IMO it at least has a chance of being considered unlike a night season with rifles.

 

[rtaylor]

The temporary lapse in judgment could be used about every rule out there. 2 buck limit and you've filled it. What are you going to do? Well a hunter will watch it and a poacher will kill it. Should we get rid of deer hunting? The only considerations should be do hunters enjoy it, does it hurt or help the overall wildlife health and can it be done safely? We can't start prohibiting hunting methods because it might make the game wardens job harder or a poacher might take advantage. If we did where would it stop?

 

[scn]

The temporary lapse in judgment could be used about every rule out there. 2 buck limit and you've filled it. What are you going to do? Well a hunter will watch it and a poacher will kill it. Should we get rid of deer hunting? The only considerations should be do hunters enjoy it, does it hurt or help the overall wildlife health and can it be done safely? We can't start prohibiting hunting methods because it might make the game wardens job harder or a poacher might take advantage. If we did where would it stop?

Sorry, I didn't post to start an argument. I was just offering my opinion on what might be potentially doable and what IMO will never happen. My opinion was free, and likely worth about the same.

Good luck in promoting whatever season you wish to see.

 

[rtaylor]

Scn I was playing devils advocate more than anything. I appreciate the advice you always give and like to hear the point of view coming from a wildlife officer.

 

[matt_brown]

It could also be a good thing for us to be able to hunt coyotes after dark. The more eyes we have out after dark the better IMO. We would be our own night patrol so to speak.

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[TN Whitetail Freak]

It could also be a good thing for us to be able to hunt coyotes after dark. The more eyes we have out after dark the better IMO. We would be our own night patrol so to speak.

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Good point didn't think of that

 

[varminthunter123]

I am 100% for it. It's the only way to gain ground on them.

 

[Woodman]

I wish it was possible to do it safely, but IMO, we don't have the wide-open-spaces in Tennessee that would be safe for night hunting with rifles. Sure, there are "spots", but if you look at the situation realistically it can't be monitored/enforced properly to prevent poaching of deer or be safe to prevent shots inadvertently in the direction of dwellings.

Maybe, with shotguns only.....but that really limits the hunt IMO.

Woodman

 

[KPH]

I would like to believe with predator out there at night you would have more eyes to turn in poachers.

 

[tnwill]

There is a similar thread in the General Discussion forum where many have voiced their opinion, myself included. In my opinion, many of the voiced concerns are nothing more than fear of the unknown. I'm all for being allowed to hunt coyotes at night, centerfire rifles, shotguns, night vision/thermal, artificial lights, suppressors.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=341118

 

[Biggun4214]

Several statues would have to be changed to accommodate night hunting. Opening these statues could result in many unwanted amendments being attached also.

 

[Rollo]

Not to hijack the thread but just wanted to throw another element in the situation. I understand the safety concerns with nighttime hunting (yes D84, I'm hear ya on the coon hunting...) but if shotguns would even be considered for nighttime hunting with their limited distance, what about air rifles? I just tried to look up "... Legal Hunting Equipment" and air rifles are not listed, even with small game. I'm sure most of you are aware there are many caliber of air rifles that are capable of killing "fur bearing" animals. They are quite capable of producing 200+ fpe at the muzzle and accurate at 100 yards. AND they can be "tuned down" in the field for shorter range. I think it would be a safe and effective way to legally help control the coyote population, day or night. Again, if this is out of the realm of the post please let me know...

 

[DaveB]

Sport hunting coyotes day or night or both will never control the populations.

You want to eradicate them then poison and trapping are the solutions.

 

[scn]

Sport hunting coyotes day or night or both will never control the populations.

You want to eradicate them then poison and trapping are the solutions.

Poison is 100% illegal as a solution.

The non-target killing of a wide variety of other species shouldn't even have poison in any discussion.

 

[rthayes]

I'll be the odd man out and say I'm against the idea of a nighttime season.Too much responsibility comes with hunting at night especially with centerfire rifles added in . As a hunter yes it would be a fun way to hunt them but as a cattle farmer it worries me about people that call them selves hunters not knowing what is beyond their target and shooting the first set of eyes that they see. Coyotes can be controlled much better by trapping than "recreational hunting anyway" . I think this would be a huge mistake and actually turn the general public more against hunters.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Whatever it takes to try and get rid of these