NICKTOWN — Two area sportsmen’s clubs are hoping to raise their memberships by hosting their first coyote hunt this weekend.
Colver Sportsmens Club and Barr Township Rod & Gun Club have a combined membership of about 800. They are expecting about 100 to 150 to hunt the abundant, wild canine throughout the state.
Hunt organizer Bill Buck, a member of both clubs, said registrations will be accepted until midnight tonight at the Colver club, 570 Wolfe Road between Nicktown and Ebensburg.
Buck said the only requirement is membership in one of the clubs. Those who would like to participate but are not members can join both for $10 when registering for the hunt. There also is a $10 fee to register for the hunt, plus a $2 administration fee.
“(The hunt) is something to try to raise money for sportsmen’s clubs,” Buck said. “A lot of other clubs are having one and are successful, and we thought we’d try it.”
Hunters can begin hunting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. Buck said hunters must obey state game laws and hunt only on permitted property.
Successful hunters must report back to the club with their coyotes by 6 p.m. Sunday.
“We’re trying to give an incentive to hunt (coyotes),” Buck said. “Believe it or not, they are very abundant in the state.”
Buck said he lives in rural Barr Township in an area between the two clubs, and he has seen coyotes on his and surrounding properties.
“Coyotes won’t do damage to property, but they are an animal that will go after game animals,” he said.
“They’ll go after small animals, like rabbits, squirrel, fawns or young deer, chickens and cats.”
And despite a coyote population estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 and growing, the nocturnal animals are difficult to find.
“They’re hard to hunt because they’re sly,” Buck said. “I’ve only seen a few in my lifetime as a sportsman, and I’ve never gotten a shot off at one.”
According to the game commission’s Web site, eastern coyotes have become more common than black bears, bobcats and otters during the past 30 years. Other than the bear, it is the state’s largest predatory animal.
Buck said most successful coyote hunters have their kill mounted or keep the fur for rugs.
Local News
Sportsmen’s clubs planning coyote hunt
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
