Georgia Coyote Challenge Starts In March

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources wants to get a handle on the coyote population throughout the state.

To that end, the agency will roll out the Georgia Coyote Challenge, "in order to encourage the taking of coyotes" between March and August, it said in its press release.

Here's how it works: each coyote killed -- up to five a month per hunter/trapper -- will earn an entry into a monthly drawing for a lifetime license, or equal credit for purchase of hunting or fishing licenses).

“Currently, scientific research suggests that removal of coyotes during the spring and summer is the most advantageous time to reduce the impact of predation on native wildlife,” said Georgia DNR Commissioner Mark Williams. “We want to encourage coyote removal efforts during this critical period.”

The coyote is a non-native predator that can be found in every county in Georgia and has the unique ability to live in a variety of habitats.

Trapping and/or hunting are legal and recommended methods for managing coyotes. Because they did not historically live in Georgia, there is no closed season for their harvest.

How can you take part in this challenge? Participants may bring a coyote carcass to any of the following Wildlife Resources Division offices between 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays:

• Game Management Region offices
• Riverbend WMA office, 1945 S. Hwy 199, E. Dublin.
• Waycross Fisheries Management office, 108 Darling Ave.
• Demeries Creek Fisheries Management office, 22814 Hwy. 144, Richmond Hill
• Richmond Hill Hatchery office, 22814 Highway 144, Richmond Hill

Participants can submit up to five coyotes for five entries in the contest in a single month, and they must be present during the coyote's submission. Coyotes must also have been killed between the first and last days of the submission month.

Road-kills, spoiled carcasses and live coyotes are not eligible. The sponsor of the first lifetime license (or equal credit for purchase of hunting/fishing licenses) giveaway is the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation.

For more information, visit the agency's website.

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