GON’s Third Annual Coyote Cull

While some continue to minimize coyote impacts, other folks are proactive.

GON Staff | July 1, 2016

For the third summer, GON’s Coyote Cull effort has provided incentive for hunters and trappers to get after coyotes during the fawning and turkey nesting seasons. The generous support of Coyote Cull sponsors combined with some elbow grease from GON staffers again brought awareness to the damaging impact this non-native, invasive species is having across Georgia’s landscapes.

Seth Hamer, of LaGrange, shot this coyote while turkey hunting after the yote attacked his decoy. “Second coyote in two days that I killed,” Seth said.

Dennis Shaw, of Shiloh, entered two Harris County coyotes this year.

“Thanks for keeping the Coyote Cull going,” Dennis said, a forester who has seen the impacts first-hand. “I’m the winner of the first Coyote Cull, and what a great rifle I have. Since then, I know a lot more hunters are after these dogs. We will never kill them all, but every one we kill helps. I hunt them year-round. We win every time we kill one of these Devil Dogs. Now’s the time to be after them. I’ve already seen fawns and poults in the woods. Keep up the good work!”

Hunter Rhodes, with help from brother Jake, took this yote. Hunter and Jake live in Dublin. The coyote was taken in Wilkinson County. “They are both a big help in managing the tract where they both hunt,” said their dad Randy.

Four names were pulled in the random drawing among this year’s Coyote Cull entries.

The winner of the Axis II XP rifle was Pete Robinette, of Ringgold.

A 12-year-old young lady won the $500 cash prize from Trinity Custom Homes. Anna Lee, of Clarkesville, was hunting with her dad in Habersham County when she killed her coyote.

Barden Revelle, of Dallas; Gordon County. “I get one every turkey season. A load of No. 5s anchored this one at 48 yards,” Barden said.

The winner of the 48-Quart Mammonth Discovery Cooler was Charlie Sanders, of Union Point.

The winner of the Buck Lantern from Predator Tactics was Stacy Griffin, of Ellaville.

This big female coyote was killed in Troup County on May 7 by Paul Stein, of LaGrange. “We have killed five coyotes this season… one turkey. Yeah, Georgia has a coyote problem!” he said.

With 105 entries, we only had room to publish a handful of the pictures of entries. More pictures appear on pages 46 and 48.

All sportsmen should appreciate the efforts of this year’s Coyote Cull participants. Until next year’s Coyote Cull, stay after the yotes.