Afield: 30 predator hunts are scheduled this winter in Pennsylvania. Here’s what to know

A cloud hangs over organized predator hunts, and they have been banned in several states, including New York. However, they are going strong in the Keystone State. At least 30 organized predator hunts are scheduled across Pennsylvania, including one in Centre County, and hunters are eager to participate. Hunts begin in January and continue through mid-March.

Thirteen hunts are planned to start in January, beginning with Endless Mountains Coon Hunters 20th Annual Coyote & Fox Hunt centered in Susquehanna County. February sees 14 hunts, including the nation’s largest — the Mosquito Creek hunt, held Feb. 21-23. Three hunts are scheduled for March, ending with the Clearfield Youth Football Take’m Out Hunt, March 14-16.

The long-running Mosquito Creek Sportsmen Club hunt is in its 34th year. Last year, with 4,189 hunters registered for the hunt, there were 263 coyotes turned in. Dustin Andreis took first place at Mosquito Creek with a 53.15-pound coyote that he shot in Washington County. His prize was $8,378. This was the second heaviest coyote ever entered at Mosquito Creek.

Many hunts are small, like the PA State Hunters Organization contest. Last year, they had only 14 registered coyote hunters and eight registered for foxes. The Petersburg Fire Company had 68 registered hunters with seven coyotes entered. Port Clinton Fish & Game had three raccoons, 13 foxes and nine coyotes entered in their hunt last year. Joe Booker took the top coyote prize with a 44.5-pound coyote.

The Endless Mountain Coon Hunters experienced tough weather during last year’s hunt, but many coyotes and foxes were entered. A total of 168 hunters brought in 33 coyotes, with the heaviest being a 45.6-pound male harvested in Wayne County by Charles Avery.

A rare albino red fox was turned in during the Mummasburg Sportsman’s hunt last year.

New to this winter’s hunts

The District 9 PA Trappers Association had 100 fewer hunters last year than in 2023, because they raised their entry fee, but they hope to recover in 2025. Their fee is lowered $8 for this year’s hunt — $32 for early entries and $42 afterwards for their Northeast Regional Hunt. Even with fewer hunters, a record number of 82 coyotes were entered last year.

The Smokey Valley Sportsman’s Club is relatively new to coyote hunts, with this being their fourth year. However, their hunt is growing.

“We take input from our hunters and make changes to improve our hunt,” hunt co-chair Todd Miller said. “We grew 40 percent between 2023 and 2024 and we hope to keep growing. We added raccoons to our hunt this year.”

The Glendale Sportsmen’s Club will hold a hunt this winter, but the date has not yet been set. In an effort to keep things honest, the Petersburg Fire Company is requiring hunters to use a kill block with a code given out just before the hunt.

The Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, New York, was one of the biggest hunts involving part of Pennsylvania and many Keystone State hunters. They held their 16th and last hunt in 2024 because New York outlawed predator hunting contests.

2025 Pennsylvania coyote hunts

Jan. 17-19: Endless Mountains Coon Hunters 20th Annual Coyote & Fox Hunt, Springville, Susquehanna County. Hunt in 14 northeastern counties — $2,000 top prize for heaviest coyote, second prize $400, and $50 per coyote turned in. Other prizes include $200 for heaviest each day & separate largest female coyote. The fox contest is $10 extra. Contact Chris Fox at 570-574-4510 or Bob Brown at 570-836-5047 (5-8 p.m. only), or www.endlessmountaincoonhunters.com for more info.

Jan 23-26: Rugh’s 10th 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. 23-26: Pennsylvania Fox Hunt - Mummasburg Sportsman’s Association, Gettysburg, Adams County. Entry fee includes hunt hat. Prizes: $200, $100 and $50 for three heaviest foxes of each species, plus prizes for largest and smallest each day. $200 for heaviest coyote. Extra fee to enter raccoons. For more information, call Tim Kane at 717-677-6768 or Wally Kane at 717-334-4811, or visit www.facebook.com/MummasburgSportsman.

Jan. 23-26: Trough Creek Valley Winter Predator Hunt – Cassville, Huntingdon County. Entry fee $35 for coyotes and foxes – extra fees for heaviest female coyote, smallest male coyote, bobcat, raccoon and opossums. Registrations at the fire hall Jan. 23. All other registrations must be done online. For more information 814-448-3095.

Jan. 30-Feb. 2: St. Clair-Tremont Trap & Field Club 24th Annual Predator Hunt, Johnstown, Cambria County. Hunt entire state. Cash prizes for three heaviest coyotes, heaviest red and grey foxes, raccoon and bobcat. $25 entry fee – 100% payout. $10 optional heaviest female coyote contest. For applications and details visit their Facebook page. For questions call Gary Pegg at 814-619-5729 or Matt Peters 814-341-7760.

Jan 31-Feb. 8: Ellsworth Sportsmen’s Club Annual Coyote Hunt, Scenery Hill, Washington County. Registration is $75 and includes all contest categories and awards dinner. First place for male and female by drawing — minimum $2,000 each. Trapping permitted with separate lower cost entry. Visit www.esc15360.com and select “special shoots and hunts” or call 724-945-5275 for more info.

Jan. 31- Feb. 2: Orbisonia Rockhill Sportsman’s Association Predator Hunt, Huntingdon County. Hunt the entire state for bobcats, foxes, crows, opossums and coyotes — coyote, opossum, bobcat, red & grey fox prizes awarded by weight. Hunting with dogs not permitted. Paid out over $1,300 in prizes las year. Contact Dave Myers at 814-599-1535 for more information or see the club’s Facebook page.

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Winter Predator Hunt – Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company, Petersburg, Huntingdon County. Hunt coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums and crows. Entry fee $30 plus $10 donation to fire company. Raccoons, opossums and crows require an extra entry fee. Over $1,000 in guaranteed payouts. For more information email predatorhunt@petersburgfire.com or call Jake Houck at 814-386-5223.

Jan. 31-Feb 2: Jerome Sportsmen 17th 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. Weigh-in Feb. 2. Over $2,000 was paid out to winners last year. Contact Paul Deist at 814-483-0084, Brian Spory at 814-244-7717, or for more information.

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: 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. New — heaviest female coyote prize. No weigh-in dinner this year. with $42 entry fee lowered (down $8). For more information, call Terry Price 570-485-4366, or email pricee0503@hotmail.com.

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Colver Sportsmen’s Club Coyote Hunt, Ebensburg, Cambria County. Hunt entire state. Must be a club member to enter. Prizes: 50 percent 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

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Kellettville Sportsman’s Club 31st 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%. Entry $20. Contact 814-463-7351 for more information.

Jan. 31-Feb 2: 4th Annual Coyote Hunt Smokey Valley Sportsman’s Club, Hastings, Cambria County. $7,000 minimum payout. Adult $20 (17 and under $5) to join club, $20 to enter contest and 8 optional categories. Heavies coyote earns $3,000. Includes 5 ghost dog and 3 lucky dog drawings for $100 each. For more information visit the club’s website or call Todd at 814-248-1080.

Feb. 1-28: Buck Hill Firearms 10th 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 “2025 Coyote Contest” or call 570-595-2636 for registration or more information.

Feb. 7-9: Quemahoning Rod and Gun Club 6th 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 by the number of participants. Visit the club’s Facebook page, or contact Paul Zborovanik at 814-659-6646 or Brian Adams at 814-442-4749 for more information.

Feb. 7-9: Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association 19th 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. ($12 + membership, + $5 heaviest female, + $5 fox entry) Go to www.sinnemahoningsportsmensclub.com for more information or call 814-546-2835.

Feb. 7-9 & Feb 14-16: Rolfe Beagle Club 9th Annual Winter Coyote & Fox Hunt, Johnsonburg, Elk County. Hunt or trap entire state. Equal payout for all coyotes and foxes entered, with the heaviest coyote entered each weekend getting $50 extra. Separate entry fees for species and heaviest female contests. Entry $10 plus club membership. Fox and largest females for each species extra. Contact Mary Hosmer at wlhab9@gmail.com for more info.

Feb. 14-16: Cresson Community Sportsman’s Association 17th Annual Coyote and Fox Hunt, Cambria County. Hunt the entire state — $5,000 minimum guaranteed coyote prize money. Prizes for heaviest coyotes, smallest coyotes and 15 chance drawings, top prize $1,000. Extra cash prize drawings for coyotes and foxes turned in Friday and Saturday. Rifle raffle. Contact the club’s Facebook page, or cressonsportsmans.com for more information or 814-886-7727, or Mark Behe 814-616-5518.

Feb. 14-16: Possum Hollow Sportsman’s Club Coyote Hunt, Wampum, Lawrence County. Hunt Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia; $20 entry fee; 75 percent 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. 14-16: Centerville Volunteer Fire Department Coyote Hunt, Centerville, Crawford County. Entry $30 for coyote and $10 for fox. Payouts half of all registration fees. Heaviest male & female coyote and heaviest fox, plus side bets. Weigh-ins at Bear Inn. Contact Jesse at 8144-795-2280 for more information.

Feb. 14-23: PA State Hunters Organization 20th Annual Central PA Coyote and 10th Fox Hunt, Newport, Perry Co. Hunt the entire state — no weighing. All entry fees divided my number of animals checked. No fox hunting on Feb. 23. Find registration and hunt rules on Facebook: PA State Hunter’s Organization. Call 717-567-3305 for more information.

Feb. 15-22: Port Clinton Fish & Game Association 21st Annual Coyote, Fox Hunt & Raccoon Hunt, Schuylkill County. Hunt the entire state. 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. 21-23: Mosquito Creek Sportsmen’s 34th Annual Coyote Hunt, Frenchville, Clearfield County. Hunt entire state. Largest prizes — over $44,000 paid out last year; $12 entry fee (includes heaviest female) plus $15 membership (Junior $5.00). Polygraph for the top four hunters and top two heaviest female coyote entrants at 3 p.m. on Feb. 23. Contact 814-263-4510, www.mosqcreek.com, or the club’s Facebook page for more info.

Feb. 21-23: St. Mary’s Sportsmen’s Club Size Doesn’t Matter Coyote Hunt, St. Marys, Elk County. Hunt the entire state. Prize money is equally divided among successful coyote hunters. Coyotes weighed for club records only. Lucky Dog drawing and door prizes. Payout over $1,100 last year. Visit www.stmaryssportsmen.org for more information.

Feb. 21-23: 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 for more info.

Feb. 28- Mar. 2: Liberty Township Sportsmen Association 13th Coyote Hunt, Blanchard, Centre County. Registration $20 members or $25 for non-members — $2 extra for heaviest female contest. Prize money divided 50-30-20 for three heaviest coyotes. Flea market at club Saturday & Sunday. For more information visit www.libertysportsmen.com or call Butch Haney 814-280-3015 or Todd Rupert 570-367-9608.

Feb. 28-March 2: Lycoming & Tioga County 29th Annual Coyote Hunt, Inn 287, Lycoming County. Entry fee $10. No other details for this hunt were available at press time. Call 570-353-7471 for more information.

March 8-9: Corydon Township 26th Annual Coyote Hunt, McKean County. Hunt all of PA & NY. Top prizes for the 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. 14-16: Clearfield Youth Football Take’m Out Coyote Hunt (6th annual), Clearfield, Clearfield County. Hunt the entire state for $20. Held in conjunction with Central PA Outdoor & Sports Show. Half of the prize money will for heaviest female and top three heaviest coyotes. Two “ghost dogs” drawn at random. Separate $5 fee to enter small dog contest. Registration can be sent to 2025 Coyote Hunt, 1001 Bowman’s Hill Rd, Clearfield, PA 16830. Proceeds benefit Bison Youth Football program. For more information call 814-592-7617 or email rjmyersjr@icloud.com.