Coyote Problem in WA

[Juhosaphat]

I just was wondering what the laws are in Washington for shooting coyotes? The weirdest thing is that I live in a heavily populated area. The coyotes have recently moved into the area scavenging for food and they're starting to get a little too close for comfort. I have two dogs that can definitely hold their own, but I don't want to have to pay vet bills because a coyote decided to get friendly and bite up one of my dogs.

So if anybody could help me out, what would the law be on putting a coyote down inside of city limits if it was a threat to personal safety or pet safety? Any information is greatly appreciated.

-Chad

[Scorch]

In WA, coyotes are considered pests, and can be taken at any time with approved weapons (see WDFW regs for "Approved Methods"). However, if you live inside city limits, things get tricky. You might want to call WDFW and ask that question, or drop by Animal Control and ask them. And a call to the local gendarmerie might be a good idea to check what their reaction might be if you shot a coyote where you live. Various cities have banned hunting within city limits, and I don't know about the city you live in.

[Mainah]

When would your dogs get hurt? My brother lives in Seattle, and from what I've learned in the time I've spent there the trouble you'd get in for shooting one within the city limits isn't worth it. If you're on your property carry a wrist rocket loaded with a ball bearing.

[Juhosaphat]

I live in Seattle so shooting one with one of my guns is almost definitely out of the question. My dad has a pellet rifle that'll hit (claims to atleast) 1200 fps, which with a pointed pellet and a well placed shot would be more than enough to drop a coyote. I just don't want to get in trouble for killing a wild animal without a license or some other bs they might be able to come up with.

And my dogs go in and out of the house all day. There's an alley that runs behind my house that connects two streets and all of my neighbors houses. One of my neighbors has chickens, so that attracts the coyotes. My yard is about 5' down from the alley, but has a raised part that a coyote could easily jump down into if it were so inclined.

I'll have to get in contact with WDFW and see just what I'm in my legal limitations to do. I could even pull out my old bow and take one down with that if it's completely legal to do so.

Thank you for the input both of you.

-Chad

[hogdogs]

I own a 1,000fps air rifle and would use and have used it to drop full grown hogs but I wouldn't try it on even a 35 pound dog at more than point blank range. The low weight of the pellet also dictates it loses velocity and energy quite fast. While I have head shot rabbits at 60 yards it won't make it 100 yards without about 6 feet of hold over...
I would however shoot one knowing he won't like my yard after a few pokes with it and if he crawls off to die as vermin... FINE BY ME.
Brent

[Juhosaphat]

Well, this wouldn't be much more than about 20-25 yards tops and the rifle is accurate enough to put one right into a coyotes head. I just need time to check with WDFW to see if it's legal to do so lol Stupid work

[Tradhunter]

If you have a small or big game license you can take a coyote year round in WA. But you cannot shoot a firearm in the city limits of Seattle. A bow might be an option but you must be within the legal hunting standards 45lb draw with min 7/8'' broadhead, and seeing a wounded coyote in Seattle would end on the nightly news. I would check with the law though. So call animal control until they are tired of hearing you and check with WDFW.

[Juhosaphat]

Animal control is a joke around here. My dad had a friend with a raccoon problem. A mother with two babies. Would actually walk right up to the door of the persons house while they were on the deck, and in their house if the door was open. Animal control told them, "Sorry, we can't come out unless they attack you." What kind of bs is that? They have to wait until you get bitten and contract rabies to come get a raccoon?

I think I'll dig my bow out and pick up a couple arrows next time I'm at Walmart. The law states that coyotes can be killed without a license as long as they're a threat to livestock or domestic animals (says nothing about personal safety of course). Although if I had a coyote coming at me in a vicious manner, I wouldn't hesitate to draw my pistol and put it down. Screw the law in that situation.

I have a niece and nephews who are 3 and 4. I'm not going to put them at risk because the law says that's what I have to do.

[guntotin_fool]

IN this Case as in MOST cases about what are the laws concerning "X", Google is your friend.


http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm

this is not hearsay nor is it I think its..... it is the voice of the law.

[Juhosaphat]

I've read that page from top to bottom. I've found coyote droppings on top of my fence a couple times. It's about a 6.5-7' drop, but I'm sure if they were hungry enough, they wouldn't stop at the top. I just know that if it comes down to it, my bow will have to be the tool of choice and not my gun. I may want to protect my dogs and family, but I don't want to put other people or animals at risk with a stray bullet.

Thank you all for the information.

[guntotin_fool]

If you have an upstairs, and you have a .22 the straight down shot into a baited coyote or raccoon is a real quiet and effective way to dispatch animals safely. City limits are one thing, but a .22 with cb's or just regular speed lead bullets in the brain will drop one like a rock. practice with a white styro coffee cup, the brain is only about as big as the bottom of the cup, and there is no margin for error.

shooting a .22 OUT into the yard is not safe,

shooting a .22 down into the dirt is safe.

[Silver Bullet]

The law states that coyotes can be killed without a license as long as they're a threat to livestock or domestic animals

Can you buy a chicken or something to put in your yard ?

[Juhosaphat]

I've got two dogs but my neighbors have tons of chickens. Maybe I'll go borrow one of theirs

[langenc]

"If you're on your property carry a wrist rocket loaded with a ball bearing."

Wonder if dogs can be trained to use wrist rocket??

Why worry about shooting in the head (mentioned several times)? Lung shot will kill and are considerably larger target!!

[Juhosaphat]

And a ball bearing might be a temporary deterrent, but I'm pretty sure a determined coyote wouldn't hesitate to come back if it thought there was a decent food source in the area.

[hogdogs]

Head shot will prevent the bugger from runnin' off wounded (possibly aggressive at this point) and dieing in some tree hugger's yard starting a stink...

Brent