Bobcat/Coyote Fur Hunting in PA. How hard is it?

[Ranger30-06]

Hello all. I am in the process of getting the hunter safety course over and done with (I know, I know; What took me so long?) and there are a couple people that offered to take me along across the freedom river into PA to do some hunting. Now looking at permits and all that, it appears coyote season is all year, and bobcat is most of the year. I have several questions here:

Is hunting coyote/bobcat hard? I'm not buying a new setup to hunt these guys so my real question is can you hunt them from within 100 yards with a handgun (.44 mag)? Most of the hunting will be in eastern PA with 99% of it in the mountains.

Apparently you can sell furs to make a buck after you make the kill. Who buys these? Any 'ol taxidermist?

Lastly, I don't know how other states work, but the hunter safety course here in NJ is divided here into 3 sections; Shotgun, Bow, and Muzzleloader (No rifle, no pistol.) I plan on getting my shotgun certification, but does this mean I can only use a shotgun in other states that allow rifles and handguns for hunting? If I go for a license, are they going to just look for the safety card, or can I only use a shotgun?

Thanks!

 

[Ranger30-06]

Soooo no one knows I guess?

 

[T Bran]

Sounds like fun but .44 caliber holes in a fur may be a bit much for fur buyers. I'm just guessing but I do see some marketing for frangible bullets that arent supposed to leave an exit hole in the pelt. I'm refering to rifle bullets here and its possible that I'm way off base.
As far as the safety course goes I think you will be ok as it is more about safety than which firearm you choose or are forced by some state laws to use , some places are shotgun only. Be sure you know the laws in the state you plan to hunt in and take things you read on the internet with a grain of salt.
Good hunting.
T

 

[buck460XVR]

Is hunting coyote/bobcat hard? I'm not buying a new setup to hunt these guys so my real question is can you hunt them from within 100 yards with a handgun (.44 mag)?

Compared to deer hunting and small game hunting it can be difficult. For both species, the primary way to hunt them is either with trained dogs or by calling them in. Do you have access to trained hounds or experience in Predator calling?

Apparently you can sell furs to make a buck after you make the kill. Who buys these? Any 'ol taxidermist?

Generally you sell the hides to a fur buyer. 'yote skins generally ain't worth the trouble to bring them outta the woods this time of year and even late fall and early winter when they are in their prime, they don't fetch much.....maybe $20-$30. Bobcat on the other hand can be worth several hundred dollars. If you don't know how to skin them take the whole animal to the fur buyer, cause if you screw them up they are almost worthless.

Lastly, I don't know how other states work, but the hunter safety course here in NJ is divided here into 3 sections; Shotgun, Bow, and Muzzleloader (No rifle, no pistol.) I plan on getting my shotgun certification, but does this mean I can only use a shotgun in other states that allow rifles and handguns for hunting? If I go for a license, are they going to just look for the safety card, or can I only use a shotgun?

As to that........ I have no idea. My Wisconsin Hunters safety card has allowed me to buy licenses in every state I've tried.

 

[Ranger30-06]

Compared to deer hunting and small game hunting it can be difficult. For both species, the primary way to hunt them is either with trained dogs or by calling them in. Do you have access to trained hounds or experience in Predator calling?

Nope, neither. I'm a first timer all around

Generally you sell the hides to a fur buyer. 'yote skins generally ain't worth the trouble to bring them outta the woods this time of year and even late fall and early winter when they are in their prime, they don't fetch much.....maybe $20-$30. Bobcat on the other hand can be worth several hundred dollars. If you don't know how to skin them take the whole animal to the fur buyer, cause if you screw them up they are almost worthless.

I figured that... I'm more interested in the 'yotes because if I have any success here, there are plenty of farmers around my grandmother in NC that would be happy to have me take out the coyotes on their land.

As to that........ I have no idea. My Wisconsin Hunters safety card has allowed me to buy licenses in every state I've tried.

Yea, but do they ever look at it and say: "Oh, your card says you only passed for shotgun, therefore you can only hunt with a shotgun here"?

 

[leeroy71]

Predator hunting can be very challenging. But, if you are going to go with some experienced partners, then just try to learn as much as you can from them. Unless it is unethical. If that is the case find new partners.

there are plenty of hunting websites where you can gain useful information. Including state specific tactics.

Yes, you could use a .44mag within your stated peramiters. But they make big holes if you plan on selling furs. With coyotes I wouldn't care. But, bobcats can fetch a few bucks! In a handgun, .357 or even a .327 mag would seem a more appropriate choice, IMHO.

As far as NJ's communist hunting regulations go, WOW. I know here in Ohio as long as you hold/held a valid licience in any state your good to go. With any legal method of taking game. I am 99% sure WV is the same way. I hunted both states for 30+ years.

 

[gfanikf]

I'd recommend asking at the Hunting PA forums. Lots of great knowledge there about PA hunting there.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[Ranger30-06]

Thanks guys. I know a fellow who is a pretty big 'yote hunter and he's willing to take me along so that'll probably be how it goes. After my really close encounter with a bobcat right outside of our camp area at last years extended family fishing trip, having the tags wouldn't be a bad backup in case of emergency...


As far as caliber, I wound up buying a .357 Mag Blackhawk so if I was to use a handgun that would be what I use. I'm definitely getting more and more into handguns and liking the idea of hunting with a 50oz gun instead of my 9.5lb .30-06.


And yes, NJ's hunting regs are just straight out stupid. Shotgun is the only legal firearm you can use, and only about 50% of the time is it permissible for use on deer. I didn't know if everyone else had a 3 part safety course like us, or if it was just a safety card good for everything.


gfanikf: Thanks. I'll definitely check them out!

 

[desidog]

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/bobcat.pdf

According to the state's website, bobcats are endangered in NJ. Therefore the cost probably will outweigh the reward....

 

[Ranger30-06]

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/bobcat.pdf

According to the state's website, bobcats are endangered in NJ. Therefore the cost probably will outweigh the reward....

I'd be hunting in PA, not NJ.