I have seen it posted that it is illegal in NC to use a centerfire rifle for coyote hunting. I have not seen or heard this before...but since I have religiously "intended" to use the Hornet and 6ppc to call with it has gotten my attention. Is this county by county, or state wide? The posts have stated that NC should change their laws regarding the use of rimfires only. I would like to know where to look to find this information, please. Oh, good luck to all the fellows from NC who do call! Thank you for the forthcoming info. I live in Wayne County (east of Raleigh), if that is pertinent.
NC Centerfire Use for Coyotes
- Thread starter newhornet
- Start date
NC has some changes proposed this year for their coyote hunting regulations. They are proposing to be able to use a red lens at night and larger than no. 4 shot. You can look at the regulation changes at
http://www.ncwildlife.org/news_stories/pg00_NewsRelease/pg00_publichearings06.htm
http://www.ncwildlife.org/news_stories/pg00_NewsRelease/pg00_publichearings06.htm
Thanks for the info fellas. Have you been having any responses lately with the coyotes. They seem to be moving just after dark here in Wayne County...saw a grey fox cross the road at 5:55pm Friday evening. I did capture some game cam stills of coyotes on bait piles Friday morning...4:45-5:30 AM. Still in the dark. How about ya'll?
steve223
New member
It just doesn't make sense to me at all. Look at what the NC wildlife folks are giving us. We can hunt coyotes year round with no bag limit. We are able to use electronic calls while chasing our quarry. If proposal H-15 goes through we will be able to hunt at night legally. What this says to me is that, the people at the NCWRC have recognized that we have a problem with the ever expanding coyote population in this state, and we need to address it. It's just seems kind of ironic to me that they will not allow the most useful tool the centerfire rifle to be used in reducing the yote population. When it appears that their position on the issue is against the growth of the yote population in North Carolina. The reason that this is such and issue for me is that I live in an area that is surrounded by public game lands. These game lands are infested with coyotes and are decimating the deer and turkey population. The little rimfire magnums are just not enough to put these animals down consistently nor do they offer the effective range of the centerfire which in my opinion is paramount. It is my hope that something will be done to bring about a positive change regarding the rimfire regualation in the upcoming seasons. I am certain that their current position is directly linked to their thoughts regarding the poaching of deer or other wildlife on public lands. I for one get my deer during deer season and consider myself an ethical hunter by all accounts. I guess its one of those one bad apple spoils the bunch kind of thing. Until some change is brought about I will continue to hunt yotes within the parameters set by the NCWRC.
Hey Newhornet, I grew up in Goldsboro and live in Raleigh now, not much doing here due to the gamelands rule you mention and I have not had any luck with private landowners. All the open land here is leased to deer hunters. I am going to drift down the Neuse near Smithfield and make stands in my canoe and see what happens. Have you had any luck with bobcats?
Not this year. It wasn't uncommon in the past years to take 2-3 cats per year off the property I hunt (basically arouond the Cherry Hospital area for ease of location verification).I haven't had a response this year at all...that I've seen. Last year I had only three cats to come in. I generally steer towards the coyotes. I know some guys who float, for deer, from the Richardson Bridge to the Ferry Bridge and they saw one cat this season, close to Richardson Bridge as best I recollect. I guess you are familiar with the area I am describing? I haven't floated that area, but I did fish for catfish above Richardson's several years ago rather religiously. Good area for you to look into. Good Luck! Mark. You may be able to contact the Johnston Community College...they have land that was granted to them in the "lowgrounds" which is over-run with hogs....they sell hog hunts...perhaps this would be a potential predator hunting venue also. Just an idea. Later.
I float that area for ducks when it is cold enough. Glad to hear there is something to hunt in Wayne County. I don't get back there often. I have hunted in Va mtns and some in the Croatan forest in Craven Co. but still have not killed a coyote or bob. Good luck to you newhornet.