BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

The District 9 PA Trappers Association Coyote Hunt will kick off this Friday with hunters in the region taking to the woods hoping to bag a big one.

Now in its 13th year, the hunt is open to people inWyoming, Susquehanna,Lackawanna,Wayne, Pike, Bradford, Luzerne and Sullivan counties.

According to District 9 director Bill Kalinauskis, around 650 people are already signed up for the hunt, and he hopes to top last year’s 724 hunters this weekend.

“I think we should get near 700 this year,” Kalinauskis said. “Signups are going pretty well so far.”

However, Kalinauskis said that everything hinges on weather, as some people may be reluctant to sign up because of less than ideal hunting conditions.

Kalinauskis noted that ideal coyote hunting weather would be frozen ground with about an inch of snow on top of it.

“It’s always good to have a little bit of snow on the ground,” Kalinauskis said. “It helps hunters in being able to see the coyote tracks.”

He noted that snow is especially important for those hunters that use dogs to track coyotes by their scent. Kalinauskis also noted that a white background makes the coyotes stand out more to the hunter.

However, there is a silver lining if the weather is in fact unseasonably warm, as it has been most of this winter season.

“If the weather is warm people will at least be able to get around,” Kalinauskis said. “And won’t risk smashing up their vehicles in the snow.”

The hunt will take place from Feb. 3-5, 2012, with weigh-ins being held at the Triton Hose Company in Tunkhannock from12 p.m.to8 p.m.on Friday and Saturday, and9 a.m. to 2 p.m.on Sunday. Weigh-in ends at2 p.m.on Sunday, Feb. 5.

A $25 entry fee was due by Jan. 21. After Jan. 21 the fee is $30 and entries will not be accepted after10 p.m., Feb. 1.

Prizes will be $2,000 for the overall largest coyote, $250 daily for the heaviest coyote and $100 for every legal coyote killed in the hunt.

Last year’s hunt brought in 21 wild dogs with Jeff Baker taking the top honors for the heaviest animal over the weekend at 46.20 pounds.

The 2011 total paled in comparison to 2010’s hunt, which brought in a record 59 coyotes.

Kalinauskis said the hunt is important to have each year because it cuts down on the coyote population.

“The state has a 365 day hunting season for coyote,” Kalinauskis said. “It’s because they do too much predation on the deer population.”

He also mentioned that coyotes are responsible for carrying many diseases and parasites that can affect other species of animal, including humans.

“The hunt just tries to control their numbers,” Kalinauskis said.

In addition to the hunt being used as District 9’s only fundraiser for the year, it is also a chance for researchers to gather samples from the dead coyotes.

Kyle VanWhy, a wildlife disease biologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, will be on hand throughout the weekend taking samples to better understand specific diseases and parasites carried by the animal.

Kalinauskis said he’s looking forward to the hunt and is encouraged by the amount of people signed up already.

“I think people despite the economy are still looking for something to do in February,” Kalinauskis said.

He also encouraged those not taking part in the hunt to stop by and view the coyotes on display and feel free to ask any questions about the animal.

For more information on the hunt call Kalinauskis at 942-6895 or e-mail Ed Price at pricee@nep.net with the subject line “Coyote Hunt Information.”