As we get deeper into January, some Iowan’s thoughts are turning to coyotes. Iowa Department of Natural Resources state furbearer biologist Vince Evelsizer says there’s a continual season on coyotes — but these winter days tend to get more hunters seeking the animal. “There’s more focus this time of year because there’s typically snow cover, a lot of the other hunting seasons are closing down after January 10th, and so some of the outdoors folks devote their time and attention to the coyote,” Evelsizer explains.

Another draw is the price paid for the fur of the animals. “Pelt value has remain decent for coyotes,” Evelsizer says, “mostly because of the trim trade where the coyote pelts are utilized in the hood of coats and jackets and that sort of thing.”

IA DNR photo

He says Iowa pelts can bring between 15 and 25 dollars, depending on their quality. In Iowa you can trap coyotes during the trapping season, or you can hunt them with a gun. Evelsizer says the method used to catch a coyote varies based on personal preference. “Some guys do very well calling in coyotes. Other guys do well working together in groups of hunters and getting them that way. Whereas some trappers do well trapping them, so it just kind of depends,” he says.

Evelsizer says the state population of coyotes has been steady to increasing, with the western and southwestern areas seeing more of the animals than in the eastern part of the state.  “For the past couple of years we’ve had record harvests. It varies from year-to-year, but lately it’s been from 12 to 15-thousand coyotes harvested annually,” Evelsizer says.

There are fewer rules in hunting these animals. You can use predator calls, hunt day or night, use high powered rifles, hunt over bait and use groups of hunters and or hounds to round them up. There is no bag limit and coyotes. Evelsizer says the rules are more liberal for hunting coyotes because they are very good at avoiding detection. And they are very resilient in adapting to their habitat.

“Coyotes have the ability to compensate with liter size. Meaning that, in years when their numbers are down, the average litter size is typically higher because there is more food available. It’s sort of their way of rebuilding their numbers,” according to Evelsizer. “In years when coyote numbers are higher, the average liter size may be lower.”

While there are fewer regulations to hunt coyotes — Evelsizer says hunters need to take some precautions. “An adult coyote typically weighs around 35 to 40 pounds — but that can vary a little bit — so they are typically about the size of a dog,” Evelsizer says. “The number one thing for hunters is to be sure of their target so that they don’t mistake it for some sort of hybrid dog, coyote or a wolf for that matter. So, we just encourage hunters be sure of their target.”

He says there has been an increase in the number of reported wolf sightings over the years as they may’ve migrated in from Wisconsin or Minnesota. There have been at least four wolves shot by coyote hunters during the last two years. Wolves are protected in Iowa and there is no open season You can tell the difference between the two, as coyotes have a pointed snout and their ears are larger proportionally to their body. Wolves are taller than coyotes and have long front legs and a heavier, squarer frame. You can find out more about coyote hunting on the D-N-R’s website, http://www.iowadnr.gov/ .

(Radio Iowa)

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes have a difficult task as they host 17th ranked Purdue tonight (Thursday) in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes are 2-2 in the league race and need to find a way to slow down Purdue forward Caleb Swanigan. The sophomore is averaging 18 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Purdue hammered the Hawkeyes in the first meeting 89-67 just over two weeks ago. Hawkeyes Coach Fran McCaffery says the Boilermakers are difficult to guard.

Tip-off from Carver Hawkeye Arena is at 8-p.m. Pre-game coverage on KJAN begin at 7-p.m.

(Learfield Sports)

The Iowa Hawkeye women pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Illinois 78-58 Wednesday night, as the Hawkeyes avenged a loss to the Illini in their Big Ten opener. Megan Gustafson led the Hawkeyes with 20 points and 15 rebounds. The Hawkeyes host third ranked Maryland Saturday afternoon.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Vionise Pierre-Louis had 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds and No. 22 Oklahoma held off Iowa State 67-56 on Wednesday night. Gabbi Ortiz and Gioya Carter added 11 points apiece and Maddie Manning had 10 for the Sooners (13-4, 4-1 Big 12).

Iowa State pulled within 57-55 on a jumper by Seanna Johnson with 4:49 to play but from there the Cyclones missed their last four shots and had four turnovers. The Sooners didn’t run away and two free throws by Johnson with 2:55 left cut the deficit to 61-57. Manning had a quick layup and Pierre-Louis made two free throws with 2:02 to play but the only other points were two Manning free throws at 58 seconds.

Bridget Carleton had 15 points and Johnson 14 for the Cyclones (10-6, 1-4) and Meredith Burkhall had 11 points and 11 rebounds for her third career double-double. For the first time this season, 6-foot-9 freshman Nancy Mulkey failed to block a shot after swatting 38 in the first 16 games with back-to-back games of seven and six to open conference play.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Monte Morris scored a career-high 30 points and added five rebounds, five assists and four steals to help Iowa State beat Oklahoma State 96-86 on Wednesday night.

Matt Thomas scored 19 and Nazareth Mitrou-Long contributed 17 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Cyclones (11-4, 3-1 Big 12), whose only conference loss was a 65-63 nail-biter at No. 2 Baylor on Jan. 4. It was Iowa State’s eighth-straight win over Oklahoma State.

Phil Forte scored 24 points and Jeffrey Carroll had 21 points and seven rebounds for Oklahoma State (10-6, 0-4). The Cowboys lost their fourth straight and coach Brad Underwood remains stuck at 99 career wins.

Forte’s 3-pointer with 9:19 remaining put Oklahoma State ahead 67-62, but the Cyclones responded with a 17-4 run over the next six minutes, with eight consecutive points from Morris, to seize control.

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Luuk van Bree had a career high 20 points, and Donte Thomas and Darrell Brown each scored 12 to lift Bradley past Northern Iowa 72-61 Wednesday night.

Bradley (8-10, 3-2 Missouri Valley) raced to a 7-0 lead and never trailed. Klint Carlson tied it at 20 on a 3 with 7:20 left, but Drake outscored the Panthers 20-5 over the next six minutes and led 40-25 on van Bree’s jumper 60 seconds before intermission.

Spencer Haldeman’s 3 at the 10:45 mark of the second half brought Northern Iowa to within 50-44, but van Bree buried back-to-back 3s, and JoJo McGlaston’s thunderous dunk off a lob pass from Nate Kennell made it 58-44.

A freshman, van Bree was 8-for-13 shooting from the field including 4 for 7 from 3-point range. Thomas had a career-high 13 rebounds. Haldeman led Northern Iowa (5-11, 0-5) with 16 points, Carlson added 15, and Jordan Ashton scored 12. The Panthers have lost seven straight.

The Atlantic Girls Swim Team was recognized by the Atlantic School Board during a special presentation, Wednesday evening. The team has only been in existence for the past three years. Six girls qualified for State in eight out of 11 possible events. To qualify, they must place in the top 24 (in the entire state) at the Regional meet, which is held one week prior to the State meet.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein asked Swim Team Coach Dean Junker to introduce the young ladies. Some of the members include: Jessie Hartwig, Madelyn Kickland, Cambry Miller, Anna Lowary, Mycala Kickland, and McKenna Ewoldt.

Members of the Atlantic Trojan Swim Team attend the School Board meeting (1/11/17)

Coach Junker said this past year was likely the most successful for the team. The best finish for an individual team member was Jessie Hartwig, who placed 7th in the 100 Breast Stroke event, just shy of earning a place on the awards podium. This year was the first year for three divers to compete, as well.

The Coach said also their training begins at 6-a.m. and runs until around 7. They train again after school (around 3:30-p.m.) to 5-p.m.  Despite their rigorous day, they still manage to pull off a 3.41 GPA as a team. And, Junker said the girls are excellent representatives of the school district during and after their events. He said “These girls know how to act. And when  we go places, we we always get complimented on how good our girls are. When they get out of the pool, they congratulate their opponents, and the other coaches just love them. They have a very positive influence, and they’re really a good representative of Atlantic.”

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State has hired veteran coach Phil Bennett as its defensive coordinator. The school announced his hiring in a release Wednesday. Current Sun Devils defensive coordinator Keith Patterson will remain on Todd Graham’s staff as linebackers coach.

Bennett has coached for nearly 40 years, including six seasons as SMU’s head coach from 2002-07 and as a defensive coordinator at eight schools. Bennett most recently served as defensive coordinator from 2011-16 at Baylor following three seasons in the same position at Pittsburgh. He also was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State, TCU, Texas A&M, LSU, Purdue and Iowa State.