Afield: Centre County’s coyote hunt was canceled due to lack of volunteers. Here are others in PA

For the first time in a decade, there will be no organized coyote hunt held in Centre County. The Liberty Township Sportsmen’s Association hunt had grown greatly over the past three years, but with that brought problems — mainly the need for additional volunteers to organize and run the event.

“I just can’t get enough people to help this year and I can’t do it all myself,” former Liberty Township hunt chairman Butch Hanley said.

Liberty Township is not the only organization with that problem. The long-running Huntington Mills United Sportsmen hunt (Luzerne County) has also been canceled due to lack of help. Five other groups have canceled their hunts for various reasons, but according to some of the clubs, they hope to hold contests in 2023.

Fortunately for local hunters, there are still many other hunts planned for this winter. Most of these contests allow hunting in Centre and surrounding counties. At least 28 contests are scheduled across the state, beginning with four that have already occurred earlier this month — including the Jan. 7-9 Woodcock Valley hunt centered in neighboring Huntingdon County.

Twenty-four additional hunts cascade through February and into March, with the Clearfield Youth Football Take’m Out hunt, occurring March 18-20, ending the series. February is by far the biggest month, with 19 hunts scheduled. Nine hunts occur including all or part of the Feb. 12-13 weekend. Three hunts occur Feb. 18-20, including the largest hunt in the nation held by the Mosquito Creek Sportsmen Association, centered in Frenchville, Clearfield County.

Typically, about 4,000 hunters register for the Mosquito Creek hunt, now in its 31st year. Last year the total prize pot at Mosquito Creek was over $45,000. The purse is large enough that winners in the Mosquito Creek hunt must pass a polygraph before collecting their prize.

Changes —The Three Springs Fire Company has dropped bobcats from their contest. The Orbisonia Rockhill Sportsman’s Association has also dropped bobcats from their contest, but they have added hunting hours by starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, rather than at midnight.

Ryan Wise, hunt chairman at the Ellsworth Sportsmen, wants to remind hunters that they should have every coyote that they bag weighed, but only one counts for prizes.

Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, New York, canceled last year’s hunt because of COVID, but will hold a contest this year with one change. Their hunt covers New York and six Pennsylvania counties, but this year they added one county in New Jersey.

Good news — The nicest story to emerge from last winter’s coyote hunts occurred at the Mosquito Creek contest. Frank Josefik, Jr., Mosquito Creek Media Relations representative, reported that Steven Chilcott, of Erie, harvested the largest female coyote while he and his party were hunting with dogs in Elk County. The large coyote weighed 44.6 pounds and earned Chilcott a prize of $9,114. Instead of pocketing the money, Chilcott and his group donated the entire amount to two well-rated nonprofit organizations.

“The anti-hunting community likes to paint hunters as gun carrying misfits who like to spill blood,” Josefik said. “This group of hunters had expenses and put in a lot of hard work, only to donate all of their winnings to make dreams come true for some youngsters that they didn’t even know. Our club thinks it important to recognize their generosity.”

Half of the prize, $4,557, went to the Mississippi based Catch-A-Dream Foundation and a like amount was donated the Pennsylvania based Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation. Both of these organizations use donations to provide unique hunting and fishing opportunities to young people with life-threatening illnesses.

2022 Pennsylvania Coyote Hunts

Jan. 27-30 – Rugh’s 7th Annual Predator Rundown, Punxsutawney, Jefferson County. Hunt entire state for foxes, coyotes and raccoons. No trapping. Separate entry fee for each species and 100% of entry fees paid out as prizes — extra entry for heaviest female contests. Top prizes were over $1,000 each last year. Additional $3 registration goes to Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department. Sunday dinner open to the public with proceeds also going to the fire department. Contact Beverly Rugh at 814-938-7831, or visit www.facebook.com/RughFarmSupply-llc for more information.

Jan. 27-30 – St. Clair-Tremont Club 21st Annual Predator Hunt, Johnstown, Cambria County. Hunt entire state. Cash prizes for three heaviest coyotes, heaviest red and grey foxes, raccoon and bobcat. For applications, call Brianna at 814-254-4611, or visit their Facebook page.

Jan. 28-30 – Jerome Sportsmen 14th Annual Adam Deist Memorial Hunt, Somerset County. Hunt or trap the entire state for coyotes, foxes and raccoons. Three places in each category by weight. Over $3,000 paid out to winners last year. Contact Paul Deist at 814-483-0084, Brian Spory at 814-244-7717, or www.JeromeSportsmen.org for more information.

Feb. 1-28 – Buck Hill Firearms 7th Annual Coyote Contest, Cresco, Monroe County. Hunt the entire state for coyotes during the month of February. Cash prizes (50%-30%-20%) awarded for the top three coyotes by weight. Visit www.buckhillfirearms.com and click on “Hunting” or call 570-595-2636 for registration or more information.

Feb. 3-6 — Orbisonia Rockhill Sportsman’s Association Predator Hunt, Huntingdon County. Hunt the entire state for foxes, crows, and coyotes — coyote, red and grey fox prizes awarded by weight. Hunting with dogs not permitted. Contact Cody Frehn at 814-644-1907 for more information.

Feb. 4-6 — District 9 PA Trappers Association Northeast Regional Coyote Hunt, Tunkhannock, Wyoming County. Hunt eight northeastern counties — $2,000 for heaviest coyote, bonus $250 prizes for heaviest coyote each day and $100 each coyote. Sunday weigh-in dinner included with entry fee. For more information, call 570-485-4366, or email pricee0503@hotmail.com.

Feb. 4-6 – Quemahoning Rod and Gun Club 3rd Annual Coyote Hunt, Somerset County. Hunt or trap the entire state for coyotes, fox or raccoon. Separate fees and prizes for each species. Three equal coyote prizes — heaviest male, heaviest female and smallest coyote. All prizes determined my the number of participants. Contact the club’s Facebook page, Jay Boone at 814-270-6201 or Brian Adams at 814-442-4749 for more information.

Feb. 4-6 — Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, New York, 14th Coyote Contest, White Sulphur Springs. Hunting and trapping allowed. Top prize $2,000, $500 second, $250 third and a $200 daily prize; $100 for top youth and female hunters, plus $80 guaranteed for each coyote. Registration includes free dinner and gun raffle ticket. Pennsylvania hunters hunting in Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Tioga, Wayne or Susquehanna counties welcome, also in New York. Contact Hank at 845-985-2548, or visit www.sportsmensfederation.com for more information.

Feb. 4-6 — Three Springs Fire Company Predator Hunt, Huntingdon County. Hunt the entire state for foxes, crows, raccoons and coyotes — coyote, raccoon, red and grey fox prizes awarded by weight. Hunting with dogs not permitted. Contact Joe Myers at 814-448-3085.

Feb. 4-12 — Ellsworth Sportsmen’s Club 8th Annual Coyote, Scenery Hill, Washington County. Hunt nine states. Hunters allowed to enter one male and one female coyote — cash and prizes by drawing. Separate contest for trappers — prizes based on participation. Entry fee includes awards dinner on Feb. 12. Top prizes at least $1,000 each for coyotes by drawing. Extra heaviest male and female, and smallest coyote contests — prizes dependent on entries. Visit www.esc15360.com or call Ryan Wise at 724-518-0475 for more information.

Feb. 11-13 — Colver Sportsmen’s Club Coyote Hunt, Ebensburg, Cambria County. Hunt entire state. Must be a club member to enter. Prizes: 50% of the pot for heaviest coyote and the remainder divided evenly among all coyotes entered. All successful hunters receive money. Contact 814-948-6081 (evenings only), Dave Noel 814-421-8935 or visit the club’s Facebook page.

Feb. 11-13 — Cresson Community Sportsman’s Association 16th Annual Coyote and Fox Hunt, Cambria County. Hunt the entire state — $5,000 minimum guaranteed prize money. Prizes for heaviest coyotes, smallest coyotes and 13 chance drawings, top prize $1,000. Extra cash prize drawings for coyotes and foxes turned in Friday and Saturday. Contact www.cressonsportsmans.com for more information. 814-886-7727.

Feb. 11-13 — Kellettville Sportsman’s Club Annual Coyote Hunt, Forest County. Club pays $20 per coyote, with one coyote allowed per hunter. Heaviest three coyotes split prize money 50 - 30 - 20%. Contact 814-463-7351 for more information.

Feb. 11-13 – Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association 16th Fox & Coyote Hunt, Sinnemahoning, Cameron County. Hunt or trap entire state — 60% of prize money for heaviest coyote, the remainder divided equally. Fox and heaviest female coyote have separate fees and prize pots. Contact 814-546-2835, or check the club’s Facebook page for more information. ($12 + membership, + $5 heaviest female, + $5 fox entry)

Feb. 11-13 — Possum Hollow Sportsman’s Club Coyote Hunt, Wampum, Lawrence County. Hunt Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia; 75% of entry fees paid out to the three heaviest coyotes. Coyotes can be weighed and registered anytime during the hunt by calling or texting Frank Jenkins at 724-827-2115 or Alex Stiles at 724-944-9406. Frank and Alex are also the contacts for more information or visit the club’s Facebook page.

Feb. 11-20 — PA State Hunters Organization 17th Annual Central PA Coyote and 7th Fox Hunt, Newport, Perry County. Hunt the entire state — no weighing. Equal prize money for all entered coyotes and foxes. No fox hunting on Feb. 20. Find registration and hunt rules on Facebook: PA State Hunter’s Organization. Call 717-567-3305 for more information.

Feb. 11-13 and Feb 18-20 — Rolfe Beagle Club 6th Annual Winter Coyote & Fox Hunt, Johnsonburg, Elk County. Hunt or trap entire state. Equal payout for all coyotes and foxes entered, with the heaviest getting 10 percent more than the others. Separate entry fees for species and heaviest female contests. Contact Mary Hosmer at wlhab9@gmail.com for more info.

Feb. 12-19 — Port Clinton Fish & Game Association 19th Annual Coyote, Fox Hunt & Raccoon Hunt, Schuylkill County. Hunt the entire state — up to 29 prize winners — maximum of one prize per hunter. Separate fee for foxes, coyotes and raccoons. Raccoons may be trapped. Call Greg Boltz at 610-562-3220 or Jeff Guldin at 610-914-9975 for more information or visit www.portclintonfishandgame.com.

Feb. 18-20 — Mosquito Creek Sportsmen’s 31st Annual Coyote Hunt, Frenchville, Clearfield County. Hunt entire state. Largest prizes — over $45,000 paid out last year; $12 entry fee (includes heaviest female) plus $15 membership. Polygraph for the top four hunters and top two heaviest female coyote entrants at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21. Contact 814-263-4510 or www.mosqcreek.com for more info.

Feb. 18-20 — St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club 19th Annual Size Doesn’t Matter Coyote Hunt, Elk County. Hunt the entire state. Equal payout per coyote. “Lucky Dog” drawing for 10% of the total prize money, plus many door prizes. Contact www.stmaryssportsmen.org for more info.

Feb. 18-20 — Laurel Highlands Predator Hunt, Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County. Hunt or trap the entire state for coyotes, foxes and raccoons. Three places in each category by weight. Prize tickets given for each harvested animal. Entry fee $15 for one category, plus $5 each thereafter ($5 used for admin). Only Sunday weigh-ins, 1-6 p.m. Contact Adam Fabian at 724-640-5217, or visit www.facebook.com/Laurel-Highlands-Squirrel-and-Coon-Hunters-Club-1036734993022600 for more info.

Feb. 25-27 — Sullivan County 19th Annual Coyote Hunt, Laporte. Hunt the entire state. Proceeds benefit Laporte and Mildred fire companies; $2,000 guaranteed top prize, lightest coyote $200 prize, optional heaviest female each day, and $50 per coyote up to three. Separate classes for hunters using dogs and calls. Free Sunday lunch for hunters. Contact Daniel Morrison at 570-506-2911 or Josh Fitzgerald at 570-660-2155, or visit their Facebook page for more info.

March 5-6 — Corydon Township 24th Annual Coyote Hunt, McKean County. Hunt all of PA & NY. Top prizes for heaviest coyotes — $600, $350 and $225. Party with door prizes on the last day of the hunt. Proceeds benefit Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Company. Contact Chris Cobb at 814-598-0752 for more information.

Mar. 18-20 — Clearfield Youth Football Take’m Out Coyote Hunt (3rd annual), Clearfield, Clearfield County. Hunt the entire state. Half of the prize money will go to successful hunters plus three “ghost dogs” drawn at random. Top three coyotes by weight will receive the other half with a 50-30-20 split. Proceeds benefit Bison Youth Football program. For more information call 814-592-7617 or email rjmyersjr@icloud.com.