Thank you to this year's participants see you in 2027!
Common Understanding
THE RULES ARE SET TO CREATE A FUN FAIR AND SAFE CONTEST
EACH COYOTE WILL BE EXAMINED TO ENSURE ALL RULES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED AND ALL RULES AND STATE LAWS WILL BE STRONLGLY ENFORCED
All rules have “loopholes.” It is the intention of the organizers to provide an honest sportsman-like tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded that the “spirit of the rule” will prevail in all judgment cases. When in doubt, take the time to make a call or text to one of the tournament organizers.
Official MnCoyoteHunt.com Rules
1. Governing law & intent
- All Hunters must possess a valid Minnesota Hunting License at check in.
- This contest is conducted under and shall comply with all Minnesota statutes and DNR hunting regulations. All participants must obey state and local law while participating. (See MN hunting regulations 2025-2026)
2. Eligibility and Team Registration
- All participants must register in advance ONLINE, sign waiver(s) AT KICKOFF, and show ID at check-in.
- No refunds will be issued.
- Open to persons aged 18+ unless a minor accompanied by parent/guardian and meeting legal hunting-age rules.
- If any participant was born after Dec 31, 1979, they must have a DNR firearms safety / hunter education certificate where applicable.
- Only Hunters with FINAL WAIVER(S) are elegiable for contest prizes, Waivers MUST BE SIGNED and Submitted with matching ID, at kickoff (Feb 6th 4-5pm, Kings Miesville,MN)
- TEAMS: Each team must choose a team name at registration. (Hunters may not change teams or exchange coyotes at any time)
- TEAMS: Contest Team sizes (Single 1 Hunter), (2 Hunters), (3 Hunters), (4 Hunters)
- TEAMS: All members must hunt together, no spliting up.
3. Licenses & permits
- Participants must possess any required Minnesota hunting licenses or permits necessary for the species/technique they use. (Coyotes are listed as unprotected in MN but other rules still apply)
4. Methods of take:
- No Dogs Allowed
- No Trapping
- No Live Decoys
- The Hunter Must Call, Scout and kill the Coyote on their own, no Hunter may have unregistered scouts assisting them in the hunt.
- Teams may not split up and Coyotes must be registerd indivudualy, Team score is cumulitive of the members individual totals.
- Only legal firearms and calibers are allowed if they comply with state law. Contest Hunters must respect local ordinances and property rules.
- No shooting from a moving motor vehicle. Discharging a firearm from a vehicle is prohibited except for persons holding a statutorily authorized disabled-hunter permit. Participants may not shoot from a vehicle or while the vehicle is in motion.
- Spotlighting / lights: Using artificial lights to take coyotes is only allowed during the DNR-specified period (DNR small-game guidance: lights for coyote/fox allowed Jan 1–Mar 15). If your event date falls inside that window (e.g., Feb 6–8), you may use lights only as DNR permits — follow the exact restrictions in the DNR booklet (do not shine onto posted or agricultural land without permission).
- Thermal/IR rules: follow DNR restrictions about device
- Hand Calls, Mouth Calls and Eletronic Calls can be used.
5. Property & landowner permission
- MnCoyoteHunt.com maintains no private land for this contest, contest hunters must obtain permission for hunting on private land.
- MnCoyoteHunt.com is not requiring permission forms to be turned in.
- Hunters are solely responsible for knowing the location of where they are hunting and if they are trespassing, the hunt organizers are not responsible for individual team locations or hunters choice of hunt location.
- PER Minnesota Law, All hunting on private land requires written permission from the landowner/lessee. Respect posted “no shining” or “no trespassing” signs and agricultural land restrictions. Any Contest violators will be removed and reported.
6. Firearms transport & condition
- Firearms must be transported unloaded and either in a case or in the closed trunk as required by Minnesota law. No uncased or loaded firearms are allowed in vehicles except when lawfully hunting and transporting to/from a lawful hunt under the statute’s exceptions.
7. Safety & conduct
- No alcohol or illegal drugs while hunting or while in the field with a firearm. Operating a firearm while intoxicated is a criminal offense.
- No team may pull up to another team during tournament hours.
- All participants must follow the event safety brief and wear recommended high-visibility clothing where required. (Blaze orange rules apply in some circumstances; follow DNR guidance for when blaze orange is required.)
- Party-hunting rules: do not harass or interf with other hunters; do not shoot toward occupied buildings, roads, or within 500 feet of occupied structures unless you own that property or have written permission.
8. Harvest check-in & Tagging documentation
- All Kills must be recorded ONLINE at time of kill to be eligible for contest count.
- All Photos must Show Stamped Bite Block with TIME, CODE WORD, STAMP Visable
- All Photos must Show the entire Coyote and Hunter in Photo at time of Kill
- All Coyotes must have a secured BITE BLOCK in mouth at time of Check in.
- All Kills must take place during Contest Hours : Feb 6th 6pm - Feb 8th 11am, 2026
- All harvested animals that count toward the contest must be checked at the official event check station for verification (time, method, hunter ID). Organizers will inspect and document harvests at check-in event SUNDAY FEB,8th 11am-12noon at Mayhem Motors Auto service, Hastings, Mn
- Participants must comply with DNR inspection requests and field inspections by conservation officers.
9. Awards, prizes, and handling of Coyote Carcasses
- ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST BE PRESENT AT WEIGH IN
- All team members must be present and accounted for to receive any payout.
- Prizes will be awarded as described on our prize page and event materials. Follow MN rules for reciving prize promotions.
- No sale or transfer of wildlife in violation of state law. Practice respectful, legal disposition of harvested animals.
- We recomend burial, incineration or taking carcass to a local rendering plant to prevent disease spread.
10. Liability, waivers.
- All participants must sign a liability waiver releasing event organizers and landowners from responsibility for accidents except those caused by gross negligence
11. Enforcement & disqualification
- Any participant found breaking state law, DNR regulations, property rules, or event rules will be immediately disqualified and may be reported to conservation officers and law enforcement.
12. Duty to Render Aid
- Duty to render aid: If a participant believes their firearm caused injury, they must immediately check on and render reasonable aid; failure to do so can be a crime.