With a jackpot of $3,000 funded entirely by local businesses and organizations, the Bedford County Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Board is hoping to entice hunters and trappers to participate in its seventh annual Coyote Lottery aimed at managing the growing threat of the predators on county livestock.

Over the past several years the partnership between the Bedford Agricultural Development Advisory Board and generous sponsors has resulted in coyote depredation which has really reduced the complaints by Bedford’s citizens. The reduction of the coyote population and the effect of hunting and trapping pressure has resulted in a reduction in the aggressive behavior the coyote population was previously exhibiting.

There is a $3,000.00 jackpot in which successful hunters can participate that runs from the 1^st of October 2018 to the 1^st of March, 2019. Sportsmen can check in coyotes harvested by any means at the Bedford Southern States Cooperative on Independence Blvd in Bedford. The coyote must be taken in Bedford County or Town only. When the animal is checked in, the hunter will fill out an entry form for each animal and receive a ticket to go into a lottery drawing. Animals taken may be frozen to preserve them until check-in if necessary. Make sure the mouth is propped open because the tongue will have to be removed by the hunter when checked in to prevent double dipping. The tickets will be put in a lockbox and a drawing will be held the first part of March.

The picture depicts Josh Powers who surprised 4 coyotes laying under a fallen tree while deer hunting. Josh said the wind was blowing strong which allowed him to get several shots off before the remaining two ran off. Josh is an FFA officer at Staunton River High School.

Thank you to these individuals and businesses that have provided the monetary awards for the winners of the drawing: Bedford County Farm Bureau, Bedford SS Cooperative, Bedford Agricultural Development Advisory Board, Bedford Outdoor Sportsman’s Association, Boone Tractor, Powers Tractor, Springlake Livestock Market, Lewis Huff, Bill Thomasson, Rainfrost Nursery, Courtney Holdren, Witt Mechanical, Deer Ridge Farm, Moneta Farm and Home Center, Dominion Dodge-Jeep of Bedford.

Next time you see one of them say thanks. (No taxpayer dollars have been spent to produce the results.)

Full rules for the Coyote Lottery are here.