The Division of Fish and Wildlife is looking for hunters and trappers to participate in a long-term, cooperative study aimed at studying the variation and hybridization of coyotes in the northeastern states. The study, under the direction of Dr. Roland Kays, Curator of Mammals at the New York State Museum, seeks to establish the taxonomy and evolutionary history of North American canids and to document the nature of hybridization associated with coyotes in the east.

The bow and arrow coyote hunting season in New Jersey opened statewide on September 29 and firearm hunting will begin November 10. The Special Permit season, which authorizes hunting at night, will begin January 14. All hunting seasons end February 18, 2008. Trapping season begins November 15 and ends March 15, 2008.

In addition to muscle tissue, Kays expects to collect a combination of skulls, full skeletons, and skins of coyotes from Ohio to New Jersey and north into Canada. He would like to collect at least the heads, if not the full carcass of the animal. Hunters and trappers interested in participating should keep a record of the harvest location (at least township and county) and harvest date. If interested in keeping the pelt, a before-skinning weight and photograph would also be helpful.

Contact Division coordinators Andrew Burnett at 609-748-2058 or Joseph Garris at 908-735-7040 or e-mail them at Andrew.Burnett@dep.state.nj.us or Joseph.Garris@dep.state.nj.us Subject: NYSM Coyote for further information.