Saw what I thought was a solid black coyote on the last eve of rifle season, trotting in my direction and below me. Stopped him at about 50 yards, just was not completely sure he was a coyote. Trotted like one, sized like one and spooked like one about 2 seconds after I voiced him to a stop. Saved the bullet and his life. When in doubt, I don't squeeze. Anyone know of black coyotes?

 

I agree with isaacs approach. I've seen black wolves ( on TV ), which leads me to the obvious. Based on the sheer size of this wolf, if it was me, I wouldn't want to shoot a neighbors huskie or german shepherd which from a distance this animal could have been confused for. The fur color though could easily be confused for a coyote ( only benefit I would give this guy ).

 

Our shooter either a. really doesn't know what a coyote looks like ( this wolf is double the size of a coyote ) b. wanted to shoot a dog he thought could be running deer, cattle or causing another nuisance c. knew he had a wolf in the area all along and could fall back on the coyote angle. Here's some additional pics to compare.

 

Wolves, Wolf Pictures, Wolf Facts - National Geographic

 

Timber Wolf Pictures, Timber Wolves, Wolf Pics, Wolf Pictures, Wolf Photos – Wolf Pack

 

I bet folks will be more mindful as to what coyote looking critters they're shooting at in the area from now on. Curious as to what will happen if a second one is shot. Thoughts?

IT would be perfectly legal, by the way, to kill that elk.

 

Thought one needed an Elk tag in order to do so?

Thought one needed an Elk tag in order to do so?

 

You do but you can buy that over the counter, out of zone tag. You just can't use it in the restoration counties.

Edited November 21, 201312 yr by woodsrider

I'm going on record that there is zero chance this guy thought that was a coyote. If he honestly thought that was a coyote he has no business hunting. That wolf is the size of a German Shepard. Coyotes are typically close to half the size of this wolf.

 

Gray Wolf - 32-34" tall at the shoulders and 80lbs

Coyote - 23-26" tall at the shoulders and 45lbs

 

according to Wiki the largest coyote on record was 74lbs, the size of this wolf.

You do but you can buy that over the counter, out of zone tag. You just can't use it in the restoration counties.

 

Thanks! didn't realize I could hunt them without winning the " Elk lottery"

But, I still think one could just claim it was an oversized deer???

Thanks! didn't realize I could hunt them without winning the " Elk lottery"

But, I still think one could just claim it was an oversized deer???

 

Nope, because there are populations of both in KY. It's you responsibility to know the difference as a hunter. No different then hunting whitetails in land between the lakes where there are fallow deer. Fallow are not legal to hunt and you can't play dumb if you shoot one. Because there are not suppose to be any wolves in KY he can claim he thought it was a coyote.

You do but you can buy that over the counter, out of zone tag. You just can't use it in the restoration counties.

 

:eyeonyou: Please clarify, I'm in the guide as I type and there's elk lottery tags, if drawn discussion. Please elaborate on the out of zone concept.

 

Do you know of any folks who have harvested out of zone for elk? You'd need to have a conservation officer with you when you did harvest just to prove you were "out of zone."

:eyeonyou: Please clarify, I'm in the guide as I type and there's elk lottery tags, if drawn discussion. Please elaborate on the out of zone concept.

 

Do you know of any folks who have harvested out of zone for elk? You'd need to have a conservation officer with you when you did harvest just to prove you were "out of zone."

There is an elk tag you can nut, resident and nonresident, that allows you to shoot an elk outside of the restoration area. Go to the link and scroll down to permits. It is the Elk Out Of Zone permit.

KY: Kentucky Dept Fish and Wildlife -

 

I do not personally know anyone that has killed an elk out of zone but I don't know anyone that has killed an elk in kY anywhere.

Nope, because there are populations of both in KY. It's you responsibility to know the difference as a hunter. No different then hunting whitetails in land between the lakes where there are fallow deer. Fallow are not legal to hunt and you can't play dumb if you shoot one. Because there are not suppose to be any wolves in KY he can claim he thought it was a coyote.

I hunt in Pendleton County. There are no Elk here. I swore it was a deer? That would not work?

I hunt in Pendleton County. There are no Elk here. I swore it was a deer? That would not work?

Only one way to find out.

Only one way to find out.

 

Send an Elk my way and I'll give it a try!

it does not show me a lot of brain cells to shoot something when you are not sure what it is!!

He illegally shot a species...he should be prosecuted. Then those trigger-happy persons will have to actually think about what they are shooting.

it does not show me a lot of brain cells to shoot something when you are not sure what it is!!

 

He illegally shot a species...he should be prosecuted. Then those trigger-happy persons will have to actually think about what they are shooting.

 

In some cases, yes, I would agree. However in this case, I tend to be in the camp of giving the guy the benefit of the doubt.

 

1. We are not supposed to have wolves in KY so there are no educational material for hunters to use to distinguish between a wolf and a coyote.

2. Coyote's are a nuisance and are unprotected, basically there is no restrictions on shooting them. It is actually encouraged among hunters to cull them

3. In the woods, other than the size difference, it would hard to distiguish the two, especially since you are expecting to see coyotes, but NEVER a wolf. And as spindoc said, without something to compare it to...

 

.

In some cases, yes, I would agree. However in this case, I tend to be in the camp of giving the guy the benefit of the doubt.

 

1. We are not supposed to have wolves in KY so there are no educational material for hunters to use to distinguish between a wolf and a coyote.

2. Coyote's are a nuisance and are unprotected, basically there is no restrictions on shooting them. It is actually encouraged among hunters to cull them

3. In the woods, other than the size difference, it would hard to distiguish the two, especially since you are expecting to see coyotes, but NEVER a wolf. And as spindoc said, without something to compare it to...

While I see what you are saying, I have a real hard time believing this guy saw that wolf and was convinced it was just a big coyote. At best he had to be a little uncertain and if there was uncertainty then he shouldn't of pulled the trigger. It could have been someone ones husky or German Shepard, or some other dog.