The second annual Georgia Coyote Challenge will run from the beginning of March until the end of August. In Georgia, coyotes are not legally protected and may be lethally removed through hunting or trapping year-round. The goal of this program is to complement and recognize the existing lethal removal of coyotes by hunters and trappers to more effectively manage the negative impacts of coyote predation on native wildlife, and minimize the negative interactions between humans and coyotes including the killing of pets, livestock and public safety and health. Individuals have the liberty to choose whether they want to take action to manage these risks.
Participants may submit up to 10 coyotes each drawing period for the chance to win a lifetime license or other equally valued item. We’ve also made it even easier to enter! Just snap a photo of the coyote and send that picture to coyote.challenge@dnr.ga.gov. You’ll receive a follow up email with an entry form. There will be 3 drawings over the program period: 1st week of May covering entries in March & April; 1st week of July covering entries in May & June; and, 1st week of September covering entries in July & August.
For entry procedures and rules please visit our website.
FAQs
Why have this contest?
In recent years, proponents of wildlife conservation and residents of urban/suburban areas have expressed their concerns about negative interactions involving coyotes. These include: coyotes killing pets, public health and safety concerns, killing livestock, and predation impacts to native wildlife. The best available peer-reviewed science shows that lethal removal of coyotes during spring-summer is most effective for reducing negative impacts from coyote predation on native wildlife, so this program focuses on that time period (March-August). DNR also wants to raise awareness to the fact that coyotes can be taken year-round.
Is this a bounty program?
The Coyote Challenge is not a bounty. A bounty is a set amount paid per dead animal submitted, and the goal of a bounty program is to reduce the overall population of the target species (and totally eliminate them in some cases). Bounties are a relic of the past – it’s been proven many times they do not eliminate coyotes. Not only does DNR not support the concept of a bounty program, such a program is unaffordable and our goal is not to eliminate coyotes. Our goal is to highlight the options Georgians currently have for managing coyotes on private lands.
Isn’t DNR supposed to be protecting the diversity of wildlife?
The mission of the Department of Natural Resources is to sustain, enhance, protect and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources for present and future generations, while recognizing the importance of promoting the development of commerce and industry that utilize sound environmental practices.
The mission of the Wildlife Resources Division is to conserve, enhance and promote Georgia’s fish and wildlife resources and outdoor heritage through science-driven research, management, regulation and education.
The Georgia Coyote Challenge is consistent with and supported by the DNR and WRD missions.
Have other states banned similar programs?
It appears that only one state has taken such action – California. However, it seems the action taken did not ban such contest but capped contest awards not to exceed $500 and clarified application of the rule.
Other states have also highlighted the need for predator management via programs similar to the coyote challenge. However, this program is about predation of coyotes via hunting and trapping during spring and summer to benefit native wildlife and raising awareness that citizens have the liberty to lethally remove coyotes that pose a risk to their pets, domestic livestock and families.
Will this program lead to an increase in coyote numbers over time as competition is reduced and resurgence occurs?
This program is designed to complement the existing lethal removal of coyotes by hunters to more effectively manage the negative impacts of coyote predation on native wildlife and minimize the negative interactions between humans and coyotes including the killing of pets, livestock and public safety and health.
Is this challenge intended to coincide with pup-rearing season?
The program is focused on this time of year (March-August) because the best available peer-reviewed science shows that lethal removal of coyotes during this time period is most effective for reducing negative impacts from coyote predation on native wildlife.
bk1937
Is there a limit to how many I can kill all year?
Bob Knell 770-921-5530
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Hi Bob – There is no limit on coyotes. For the challenge, you can enter up to 10 each period.
william Hooker
Great job Ga DNR love this challenge son loves it to.
Charles de Young
The coyote numbers have skyrocketed in my area, I am in a federal wildlife management area, my first question is, can I thin them out, and second question is they run from midnight to 3 AM, I never see them in daylight, I can use nightvision to shoot them but that is dangerous, I can set traps, but I have tons of deer here, what is the best option to protect my goats and pets?
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Hi Charles — I would recommend contacting the federal agency in charge of the property. It depends on whether your asking about National Forest (USFS), National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS), or private land adjacent to it.
Nearly Native Nursery
this total lack of Ecological sense of continuing this Coyote Challenge grossly show the DNR’s lack of understanding the importance of a large predator and the role they play in a healthy ecosystem. Not to mention the more you encourage citizens to kill the greater chance the more alpha males will be shot. Alpha males dominate his region preventing younger males from breeding hence lowering the total numbers in a given area. By taking him out all the younger males start their breeding and the end result is a higher number of Coyotes in a short period.
That said the Coyote Challenge will only boost and increase the number of Coyotes.
Further more anyone who leaves their pets out after evening is showing a lack of love and caring for their so called pet. One wouldn’t leave their 3 year old child out at night???
Sin,
Jim Rodgers
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Gene Cosby
you really know nothing about coyotes,, come out to the country and see what this NON native species is doing to the deer population and the threat to other NATIVE wildlife, including but not limited to rabbits, turkeys, quail, and other mammals. They also prey on native predators such as fox. Not everyone’s cat lives inside, as a matter of fact most live outside in the city and country side. They are a favorite snack of coyotes. They only way my neighbor can keep the coyotes away from his new born calves is with the addition of jackasses to his pastures. They hate all canine and will run a coyote down and kill them.
They only large predators native to Georgia are bears, bobcats, maybe a cougar or two, and the wolf, which has no remaining members left to my knowledge.
Deer fawns will be born this spring, and they are a favorite snack of this NON native predator. In my area, as the coyote population has thrived, and increased, the deer population has decreased. Not from hunting pressure, as I manage my land for hunting.
I urge you to research this issue further. There are incidents where coyotes have taken human life, in California and Canada that I have knowledge about. They are not always a solitary hunter, and often pack up for a kill. Early in the morning hours, I have them howling in the pasture and woods behind my pond. I can tell you, this will make your skin crawl when a coyote cuts loose only a hundred feet away in the darkness.
That said, I will continue to do my best to control the coyote population the best that I can on my property.
Bill Conley
All the females in a Coyote pack will breed any way whether by an Alpha male or young males so protecting the Alpha male in a pack won’t keep the numbers in check.
Georgia to kick off 2nd annual Coyote Challenge in March | ARO News
[…] noted by the Athens Banner-Herald, as many as 50,000 are taken in Georgia each year. DNR officials say there are a number of negative interactions between humans and coyotes in the state “including the […]
Jeff Durden
Can coyotes be hunted year round on Oconee natl forest land? The hunting regs suggest they may be taken only during big and small game seasons.
Rickey Thomas
Coyote ruined my turkey hunt this morning was hoping he would get close enough to me turkey decoys for me to take a shot but he stayed out of range. I will figure out a plan to take him out soon . I did see 2 Turkeys but they were evading the coyotes and also stay out of range