Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : August 24, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Marshall Snedegar, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Coyote Hunting Seminar with Tom Bechdel

At National Hunting and Fishing Days Celebration

September 24-25 at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park

  Nationally-recognized predator hunter Tom Bechdel of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, will return for an eighth year to present his popular coyote seminar during the 2005 West Virginia Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, to be held at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park in Lewis County (Interstate 79 exit 91) September 24 and 25. Interest in coyote hunting is increasing in West Virginia as the predator becomes a larger presence, threatening both domestic animals and wildlife. His seminars typically draw about 250 participants.

  “Within the past 15 years I have become a predator hunter in earnest,” said Bechdel, a hunter for more than 40 years. “I have a very high success rate of harvesting Eastern coyote. During the past three years I have harvested 257 coyote in Pennsylvania. The largest was 72 pounds, and the most I have harvested in one day is eight. The seminar includes the life of the coyote, how to find them, how and when to call them, how to use electric and mouth calls, and how to use decoys. I will cover all 12 months of the coyote's life, what he does, how he does it, and why. I will explain the different color phases of the Eastern coyote as compared to a Western coyote. I will also tell how large a coyote can get, as well as what they will and will not eat and ways of protecting yourself, livestock and pets. This will be time well spent to learn of your new neighbor.”

  The National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration is sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the West Virginia Wildlife Federation. More than 100 vendors and exhibits will be available. The public is invited to enjoy archery, youth competition, good food, sport dogs, care and cooking of fish and game, shotgun and black powder shooting, and many more activities and door prizes. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children under age 15, and children 3 and under free. For more information call (304) 558-2771 or visit www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/nathuntfish.shtm .

**DNR**

Nationally-recognized predator hunter Tom Bechdel will present his

popular coyote seminar during West Virginia's Celebration of National

Hunting and Fishing Days September 24-25 at Stonewall Jackson Lake

State Park.