Coyote Hunting

[The Durk]

I have a question about caliber requirements for coyote hunting. The PAGC website says on their coyote page "any caliber" but coyote are listed under small game, which is 22 caliber only? Correct? How can they be hunted with any caliber, and then give a caliber restriction?

I'm a bit confused on how everything's written up.

We are going to start hunting them near my buddies farm. Can you use a 30 caliber on coyotes? I'm way more familiar with my holds on my 300 blackout, and 308 winchester.

[P89]

Where did you see coyotes listed under small game? I thought it was under furtaking if trapping.
From the digest:

Coyotes
• Natural or manmade nonliving bait and any electronic or
mechanical device can be used to attract coyotes for hunting
or trapping.
Bait and Devices
Bait Visible From the Air
• The law allowing trappers to use any natural or manmade
nonliving bait to attract coyotes does not permit the bait to
be visible from the air. It is unlawful to bait a trap with meat,
animal products or their facsimiles if the bait is visible from
the air. Those hunting coyotes, however, may hunt over bait
visible from the air.
• Coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game
(big-game orange requirements must be followed) or with
a furtaker license.
During Any Big Game Season
Outside of Any Big Game Season
• Coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker
license and without wearing orange.
While there is no closed season for the hunting of coyotes,
and coyotes may be hunted on Sundays, there are additional
requirements for hunting coyotes during big-game seasons.

[ExFlyinguy]

I believe there is no caliber restriction for coyote. I think that you confused two different categories. Small Game vs. Furtaking

The damn hunting guide is a bit of a navigational challenge.

If I read correctly coyotes are in the furtaking category. Which is different than the small game rules.

[P89]

I don't believe there is a caliber restriction either.
I've always followed the rule of thumb that whatever I have in my hand during any other season I can take a coyote with while wearing the appropriate orange for said season.
Unless you are specifically trapping...but I don't trap so I never worried about it.

[Marcus99]

Coyotes are not considered small game. In fact coyote hunting has probably the loosest regulations of any game in the state. No caliber restrictions in a rifle. The only restriction is no larger than #4 buckshot in a shotgun(and you can use a semi-auto shotgun.) Also no caliber restrictions on groundhogs and porcupine (although they are considered small game). Plenty of guys shoot coyotes during deer season if they happen across them.

[The Durk]

That's why I was so darn confused. Yes, it does appear that coyote are in a fur bearer category.

I'm sorry guys, I'm pretty new to hunting. I've only started last November, and I'm attempting to navigate these guidelines. I wish they just had a big chart you can look at. "Ok, semi autos, coyote, use .23 caliber or smaller. Deer, manually operated, .240 caliber or larger." type of deal. What's sad is, I work for a company that tests to standards written in legal jargon, so you would THINK I'd be able to figure this out.

And yes I'm aware that semi's aren't legal until July, and even then, nothing has been really written up yet.

[Lilpooh]

Keep in mind, Special Regulations Areas have their own set of regulations.

Small Game, Furbearers & Crows, Arms & Ammunition
Manually operated or semi-automatic shotguns plugged to a 3-shell capacity; manually operated 22-caliber or less rimfire rifles and handguns; and bows and crossbows. Buckshot is not permitted.

http://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Law/D...g%20Digest.pdf

[CMP703006]

I've hunted coyotes with .223, .243, 30-06, 300 Win Mag .458 Win Mag, never got one close enough to shoot but I've hunted with those calibers.

Pretty much anything is legal for coyotes shy of larger than 4 buck and anything not allowed for hunting at all.

[Pilot321]

I think 5.56mm/.223 is just about perfect for Coyote hunting, and the AR platform is as well.