simcox said:
i know you must be 150 yard from a building while hunting does this apply to predators example i walk out my door and there is a coyote there can i shoot at it since it is a predator i have livestock as pets is it legal
This information is all available on the PGC website...
The law regarding Safety Zones says:
Sec. 2505. Safety zones.
(a) General rule. - Except as otherwise provided in this title or to any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to special categories of permits),
it is unlawful for any person, other than the lawful occupant, while hunting game or wildlife, taking furbearers of any kind, or pursuing any other privilege granted by this title, to hunt for, take, trap, pursue, disturb or otherwise chase any game or wildlife or to discharge, for any reason, any firearm, arrow or other deadly weapon within or through a safety zone, or to shoot at any game or wildlife while it is within the safety zone
without the specific advance permission of the lawful occupant thereof.
(b) Penalty. - A violation of this section is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more $500. A second or subsequent offense within two calendar years is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
(c) Definition. - As used in this section the term
"safety zone" means:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or any barn, stable, or other building used in connection therewith or any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
(2) When applied to properly licensed persons hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow, the area within 50 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence or other building or camp occupied by human beings or any barn, stable or other building used in connection therewith and the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
***** So, no, you can not just walk out back and shoot a coyote, unless you have PRIOR permission from your neighbor. If you, the coyote or the path to the coyote are within 150 yards of your neighbors house (or
any of their outbuildings)- you are within a Safety Zone.
As far as protecting your pets/livestock, the best defense is a permanent long-term defense, like a fence or shed, as farmers have learned.
The law on protection of property says:
Sec. 2121. Killing game or wildlife to protect property.
(a) General rule. -
Subject to any limitations in this subchapter, nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit any person from killing any game or wildlife:
(1)
which the person may witness actually engaged in the material destruction of cultivated crops, fruit trees, vegetables, livestock, poultry or beehives;
(2) anywhere on the property under the person's control, including detached lands being cultivated for the same or similar purposes,
immediately following such destruction; or
(3) where the presence of the game or wildlife on any cultivated lands or fruit orchards is just cause for reasonable apprehension of
additional imminent destruction. Lands divided by a public highway shall not be construed as detached lands. Any person who wounds any game or wildlife shall immediately make a reasonable effort to find and kill the game or wildlife. Every person shall comply with all other regulations in this subchapter pertaining to the method and manner of killing, reporting the killing and the disposition of game or wildlife and their skins and carcasses.
(b) Protected game or wildlife. - Before any game or wildlife, which may be designated by regulation of the commission, or any bird or animal classified as threatened or endangered may be killed, every reasonable effort shall be made to live trap and transfer such game or wildlife. The trapping and transfer shall be done in cooperation with a representative of the commission.
(c) Definition. - As used in this subchapter the word
"person" shall be
limited to any person cultivating,
as a primary means of gaining a livelihood, any lands for general or specialized crop purposes, truck farming or fruit orchard or nursery being regularly maintained,
as either the owner, lessee or a member of the family of the owner or lessee assisting with the cultivation of the land or other person as authorized by commission permit.
*****So, basically, in order to kill wildlife to protect property, you have to follow the guideline and meet the restrictions in Chap. 2121.
First, you have to be a farmer of some sort that earns the majority of your living from your farm business.
Second, you must witness thew coyote attacking you livestock. Pets are not livestock.
Third, the presence of the coyote can only cause you fear of "additional" imminent destruction if it caused previous destruction.
Fourth, if you do kill a coyote under these "protection" claims, you must report it and turn it over to the PGC.
Fifth, before you resort to killing any protected wildlife (i.e. a coyote) you must attempt other methods of discouraging, frightening, or live trap and transfer it first.