Coyote Hunting with Hounds Benefits and Risks

Coyote hunting with hounds is a thrilling and challenging way to manage coyote populations. This ancient practice has been used for centuries to control coyote numbers and prevent damage to livestock.

Hunting with hounds can be an effective method for removing coyotes from an area, as it allows hunters to track and locate them with precision. In fact, studies have shown that hunting with hounds can reduce coyote populations by up to 50% in a single season.

However, coyote hunting with hounds also poses some risks, including the potential for hounds to get injured or lost while chasing coyotes. According to one study, up to 20% of hounds may be injured during a hunting season.

Related reading: Hybrid Coyote Dog

Coyote hunting with hounds is a thrilling and ancient tradition that puts the hunter in a unique position to observe and appreciate these fascinating animals. The Great Plains Coyote Coursing is a prime example of this, offering an unforgettable and up-close portrait of the men and dogs who hunt coyotes.

The men and dogs involved in coyote hunting with hounds are a dedicated and skilled group. They have spent years honing their skills and building a deep understanding of the coyote's behavior and habitat.

The use of hounds in coyote hunting allows the hunter to track and chase the coyote over long distances, often resulting in a thrilling and exhausting pursuit. In the Great Plains Coyote Coursing, the hounds are a key part of the hunt, working tirelessly to chase down the coyote.

The Ontario Sporting Dog Association has rules in place to ensure animal safety during coyote hunting with hounds.

These rules require sporting dog owners to have brush piles, dens, or man-made escape units, also known as pods, to provide a safe escape route for coyotes.

Bell, a sporting dog owner, has built pods on his 225-acre pen that include concrete culverts leading to buried 45-gallon drums that are vented above, which are baited with food to teach coyotes where to hide.

There are now 33,000 members in the Ontario Sporting Dog Association, which lobbied the government over the past year on training and trialing licenses, highlighting the importance of regulations and safety in the sport.

Hunters in most states can hunt during the early morning and late evening hours, typically between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. This is to minimize disruption to other wildlife and the environment.

Be aware of the specific hunting hours for the area you're in, as they can vary. For example, some states have specific hours for certain types of hunting, like waterfowl or deer.

The hunting season typically runs from late fall to early winter, with the exact dates varying by state and species. In some areas, hunting may also be allowed during the spring turkey season.

Make sure to check the local regulations for any specific restrictions or closures before heading out on a hunt.

For more insights, see: Hunt Rabbits

Using dogs in coyote hunting can be a more effective way to hunt, especially when trying to take down a pack of coyotes. A good rifle hunter may only be able to kill two coyotes before the pack scatters.

The use of dogs as decoys can help re-trigger a territorial response, allowing hunters to get another shot at the coyotes. This process can be repeated until all coyotes are killed.

Using dogs in this way can be a more brutal method of hunting, as they typically tear into a coyote after the shot. However, the point of hunting with dogs is to enhance the overall experience and create a strong bond between the hunter and their dog.

The bond between a hunter and their dog is a primeval one, and it's something that anyone who's ever walked behind a pointer or sent their lab on a retrieve can attest to.

The Ontario Sporting Dog Association has rules in place for animal safety. These regulations require sporting dog trainers to have brush piles, dens, or man-made escape units, known as pods.

Bell, a trainer, has built pods on his 225-acre pen, complete with concrete culverts leading to buried 45-gallon drums that are vented above. The pods are baited with food to teach coyotes where to hide.

If a coyote feels threatened, it can retreat to the safety of the pod. This is a crucial feature, as Bell notes that coyotes are unlikely to enter a 10-inch culvert if there's an alligator waiting at the other end.

The pods are an important aspect of sporting dog safety, providing a secure escape route for coyotes. This allows for safe and controlled training and trialing of dogs.

Coyotes have virtually zero protections in the state of Vermont.

In Vermont, coyotes are hunted with hounds, which is a form of legalized dog fighting where packs of powerful, radio-collared hounds are unleashed on a lone coyote.

This activity most frequently occurs in the winter months when hunters have nothing else to kill.

Vermont coyote hounders have shared numerous photos of their hounds running down an injured coyote to its death.

Advocate Camille Labchuk from Animal Justice calls the practice of training dogs to hunt coyotes inhumane.

Some contests involve dogs chasing terrified coyotes around an enclosed pen.

The Liberal government reintroduced the spring bear hunt in Ontario as a pilot program in 2014, which Ford's government made permanent in 2021.

Labchuk argues that the practice is particularly concerning given the Harris government's previous efforts to protect wild animals from inhumane hunting practices.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters supports the dog trial proposal, which has been a priority for them since 1997.