Varmint hunting in MN

[Stradawhovious]

This may come as a shock to some none of you, but I have never hunted anything without wings. ('cept squirrels of course, but I don't see that as hunting, I see it as keeping the **** squirrels out of my attic.)

I was thinking about maybe getting into a little 'yote hunting, and don't even have a clue where to start. Anyone care to offer some advice?

[Belgiboy]

I'm in the same boat as you are, only I know that east of the cities (the Woodbury, Demontreville and Lakeland area) there has been an increase in the coyotepopulation that has some people worried over there. I'm trying to network to gain access to some farmland so I will have something to hunt after birdseason. I have a cheapo electronic caller and I'm just gonna jump in, not hindered by any knowledge of what I'm doing. Everybody is welcome to join.

[Stradawhovious]

Thanks mr. funny accent, I plan to join you. The difference is that I hope to have just enough information to be dangerous.

[nyffman]

Thanks mr. funny accent, I plan to join you. The difference is that I hope to have just enough information to be dangerous.

The real question, then, would be, dangerous to who?

[EJSG19]

Score yourself a couple wiry little yote dogs, a dog box or two for your truck, and an electronically activated switch to let the puppies loose by remote, along with a cb radio so you can talk to your buddy in the other vehicle. (Hank and Fiasco won't fit in any man made box that I've ever seen...)

Then hit the gravel roads with binoculars at the ready, and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Thats how my friends did it when I was younger, I never participated but for two times, and I never spotted what we were chasing. Takes a better set of eyes than mine apparently, or at least some more educated eyes.

That is the "vehicle method" anyway. I'm sure there are more sporting ways to go about it.

[Pat]

This sounds like it could be fun. I plan to keep an eye on this thread.

Why wait until after bird season? Can't varmints be hunted all year long? BTW we have seen a large spike in the cougar population in north central Minnesota. Those critters scare me. Last year my mom saw one in a tree, checking out the neighbor kids. She chased it away - not something I would recommend.

[Stradawhovious]

If I knew what to do, and where to do it, and someone confirmed yote season was year round, I'd probably try to go every weekend. So far it seems like we could get a small posse together.

[nyffman]

BTW we have seen a large spike in the cougar population in north central Minnesota. Those critters scare me.

I don't know? I kinda like watching them.

[EJSG19]

BTW we have seen a large spike in the cougar population in north central Minnesota. Those critters scare me.

I don't know? I kinda like watching them.

Never take in stray Cougars. Always stick to the ones that you know where they've been.

[Stradawhovious]

Never take in stray Cougars. Always stick to the ones that you know where they've been.

I took in a stray cougar once, turned out it was EJSG19's Mom........

But seriously.... would cougars fall in that huntable category as well?

(see, I really know nothing about this....)

[ex-LT]

If I knew what to do, and where to do it, and someone confirmed yote season was year round, I'd probably try to go every weekend. So far it seems like we could get a small posse together.

MN DNR Hunting Regulations

Page 45, last line of the chart:

Furbearers (hunting) - Coyote, striped skunk & other unprotected
Open Season - Continuous
Daily, Season and Possession Limit - No limit

Note: Residents and nonresidents are not required to have a license to take unprotected species including coyote.

As for what to do and where to do it, I can't help you on that.

[EJSG19]

Never take in stray Cougars. Always stick to the ones that you know where they've been.

I took in a stray cougar once, turned out it was EJSG19's Mom........

But seriously.... would cougars fall in that huntable category as well?

(see, I really know nothing about this....)

Doubtful. Her standards aren't nearly that low. Plus Pop doesn't let her out at night, somebody has to cook his supper after all!

Cougars being a predator, I would venture a guess that if you shot one you'd be in knee deep do do. I think it'd take one being a pest, and DNR authorization and the whole bit. But I'll dig up the DNR stuff if I get a second.

[EJSG19]

Here you are Sir(s) and Ladies. Do not drop a wild kitty.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/hunting/2008/full_regs.pdf

Mammals
• All mammals for which seasons are established in these regulations
are protected mammals, but may be taken as authorized.
• There is no open season on caribou, antelope, lynx, gray wolf,
wolverine, cougar, or spotted skunk (“civet cat”).

[Rem700]

http://www.predatormastersforums.com

[Stradawhovious]

Thanks REM, great link, great information!

Another forum member also stated that hunting crows might be tons of fun, and I notice that a second season opens in July. Anyone have any input on that?