ohio regs concerning coyote hunting??

nightwatchman

New member
im not sure if we got into talking about this or not in the past but i have a question that has bothered me for a year or two now... on page 35 of ohio's hunting regulations it states

"it is unlawful for any person to use or hunt with a rifle,pistol,or revolver from oct 15-jan 1 during daylight hours on lands owned, administered or under agreement with the division of wildlife, except when properly used on a target range or when squirrel hunting with a rimfire etc. or when deer hunting during deer seasons. " (i shorted it just a bit but you get the point)

my question is this; are we allowed to coyote hunt on public land with our rifles during the fall???? ive never been pulled over by a game warden to find out and ive never talked to one to asked but im sure someone on here knows the answer... can any of you enlighten me on it.... i want to know for sure that im not going to have to argue my case when the time comes.....
 
It is legal to hunt w/ a centerfire rifle/revolver/pistol for coyote on all Ohio private land [must carry written permission from landowner on person at all times for all game hunting] except during the Ohio deer shotgun season.

The regulation you cite applies to Wildlife areas and other state public hunting areas where it is NOT legal to use the above.

The rule is in place to prevent an ambiguous deer poaching prosecution.... i.e. if you are caught w/ a centerfire on state lands it is a legal presumption that you are deer poaching.

Contact the OH Dept. of Wildlife to confirm my analysis.
 
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thats where i was going to hunt was on public hunting areas.(what is considered the difference between wildlife areas and public hunting areas?) crown city mining area and wayne national forest areas.. etc.. if this was the case and it was ilegal then we wouldnt be having the ohio get-togethers at zalaski each year.
ill see if i can call up the odnr and ask them for sure.
 
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I called Div.1 ODNR a few years ago and was told no you couldn't. I am currently having this same discussion on another board with a guy who worked for ODNR for 15 years and he is saying it depends on the location of the public ground and what rules they have there. The first Zaleski hunt we had was after Jan.1 of that year so it was legal anyway. I'm going to call Zaleski HQ and the local game warden to get the scoop from them on Monday. I'll post what I've learned after that.
 
sounds like they are being alittle vague... picking and choicing which lands doesnt sound right..... ill call my local game warden tomorrow and see if he will return my phone call or not...keep us posted rooster... thanks for replying..
 
I always thought that rule was applied because of the bird and rabbit hunters. I don't think they outlawed centerfire rifles because of deer poaching. Its stupid we can hunt at night with rifles but not during the day. We should get the predator hunters to organize and pressure the state to change the law.
 
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I called the local game warden and was told that centerfire rifle is a no go during the daytime but, you could use them after sunset on public ground. Doesn't make sense but that is the way it is.
 
Anyone using their slug guns for coyote. Since we can't use rifles, but we can use shotguns, doesn't say anything about not using slugs, I was going to use my slug gun with Remingtons Accutip bonded slugs. I'd feel comfortable with 150 yd shots using them on a stationary coyote. Way overkill but gets me better range than hevi-shot.
 
i never did get a reply back on my phone call... glad you did rooster. thanks for posting.

i would say you would get a ticket for using the slug gun. just my thoughts though. id say they would frown real bad on it. my take on it is most(atleast all of them down this way) game wardens consider everyone a criminal when they pull them over or confront them. even if you are carrying a neck full of coyote calls, a caller, a decoy etc.... your still getting a ticket for trying to poach deer.....
 
Play it safe guys and just wait until after Jan 1st and be on the safe side.Hunt some private grounds until then.Good luck guys ,but if you guys do get some answer please post.
 
Dear All OH Correspondents:

IF you get an answer from the OH Dept. Wildlife get it:
a] in writing, signed, and dated and
b) absolutely insist to them to reference all relevant legal stautes ...otherwise, a go-ahead is not binding on the OHDW part, nor will it protect a hunter; and
c) post it here.

Thanks,

P.S. I personally would NOT hunt public land with a rifle no matter what a warden SAYS...instead, ask the warden to sign and date an OK statement, and then watch him/her say..."UUUH, let me call Columbus on that..."

THEY (the legislature) don't make it that clear even for the warden!!!
 
In my state of Massachusetts we can use center fire rifles for coyote during the day, except in certain towns. At night the only rifle that is allow is the 22 lr rimfire. The 22 mag is not allowed at night neither is the 17 hmr. However a black powder rifle is legal day and night for hunting yotes. These game laws can be very confusing, even some game wardens don't fully understand it all. I spent the better part of 2 weeks corresponding with a major in the Massachusetts EPO, and a police detective in a neighboring town that has a rifle ban on all rifles rimfire or centerfire. They even wont allow a rifled barrel black powder rife to be used during that particular deer season. Smooth bore only for either the shotgun or black powder. The Massachusetts EPO's dont consider an inline black powder to be a true rifle in the very sense of the word. There is no discernable chamber, there is no cartridge. However this one certain town does not see it that way. I have saved all correspondence with the police and the EPO's.

Mark2
 
Crown City is a wildlife management area. correct? I understand that wildlife mgt. areas fall under the DNR. What about the Wayne Nat'l. Forest? That's federal. I need to get this cleared up as I was going today to get my OH license. I will stay in KY if I can't hunt the Wayne with my new AR.
 
Originally Posted By: KydogdusterCrown City is a wildlife management area. correct? I understand that wildlife mgt. areas fall under the DNR. What about the Wayne Nat'l. Forest? That's federal. I need to get this cleared up as I was going today to get my OH license. I will stay in KY if I can't hunt the Wayne with my new AR.
The Ohio regs book,pg35
It is unlawfull for any person to use or hunt with a rifle,pistol or revolver from oct 15 through jan 1 durring dylight hrs on any land owned,administerd or under agreement with the divison of wildlife,except on a range or srquirrels wih a rim fire.
 
Originally Posted By: KydogdusterSo, as long as I am on private property or the Wayne Nat'l. Forest land, centerfire is legal.
I dont think its legal on Wayne,thats public land,on privet it is legal
 
You are correct. Wayne Nat'l. Forest is public land but I don't think it is managed by the OH DNR. I believe that it falls under the US Forest Service. I'll try to check out the DNR website. I hate to pay $125.00 if centerfire is not legal in the Wayne Nat. Forest. I can wait till Jan. 1 to try out Crown City Management area.
 


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