New Ohio Coyote Points Series coming September 2025 running through March 2026
Rules are subject to change, Finalized by September 1, 2025
Ohio Sunset Raid Series – Tournament Rules
(Rules are subject to change; final rules will be set before the first tournament.)
1. Tournament Format
Each tournament is a one-night event, starting at sunset and ending at 2 PM the following day for weigh-ins.
2. Hunting Location & Regulations
Hunting is restricted to Ohio and must comply with ODNR hunting regulations.
3. Eligibility
Open to anyone legally hunting coyotes in Ohio (you do NOT have to be an Ohio resident, but hunting must be done in Ohio).
4. Registration & Fees
Points Series Registration: $100 per team (covers awards & operational costs).
One-Night Drop-In Teams: Allowed, but must pay the Point Race registration fee to be eligible for the End of Season (EOS) Showdown.
5. Team Composition & Substitutions
Teams must consist of 2-4 members.
Substitutions are allowed, but at least one original team member must participate in each event.
Original team members CANNOT substitute for another team.
Points are awarded to the team name, NOT individual hunters.
6. Weigh-Ins
Weigh-ins will be in Utica, Ohio (exact location to be determined at a later date pending the number of participants)
Weigh-ins begin at 2 PM the day after the tournament.
Do NOT arrive before 1:45 PM – scales will not open until 2 PM.
No weigh-ins after 3:30 PM. If you are in line before 3:30 PM, you will be allowed to weigh in.
Each team is permitted to weigh in up to 5 coyotes.
Drive-thru weigh-in style:
Back up to the scales.
Pick out 5 coyotes to be weighed.
Park after weigh-in.
7. Tournament Schedule
Tournaments will be held on Friday or Saturday nights, depending on weather conditions.
Tournament dates may change due to weather or other necessary reasons determined by the Tournament Director.
No tournament date will change within 3 days of the original start date.
8. Entry Fees & Prize Distribution
Tournament Entry Fee: $100 per team.
Prize Payout Structure: (70% of entry fees paid out, 20% allocated to the EOS Showdown fund, 10% donated)
1st Place: 60%
2nd Place: 30%
3rd Place: 10% (if 15+ teams enter)
Side Pots: $25 per category ($25 per category – 90% Payout 10% donated)
Big Coyote Pot
Small Coyote Pot
Most Coyotes Pot
9. Required Video Proof
Shake videos are required for verification.
On tournament day, officials will announce which ear must be removed in the video for proof of harvest.
The video must show the coyote being shaken to confirm it is limp and freshly harvested.
GPS/location must be enabled in shake videos to confirm hunting took place in Ohio.
All team members must be visible in the video.
Teams that do not follow these video protocols will be disqualified no Excuses
10. Prohibited Practices
Strictly Prohibited:
Roadkill, trapping, or baiting.
Combining coyotes between teams.
Cheating in any form (immediate elimination from the tournament and potential ban from future events, including the EOS Showdown, regardless of points standing).
Failure to follow any and all ODNR hunting Regulations as well as local Laws
11. Team Unity
All teammates must hunt together during the tournament.
If a teammate leaves or cannot continue, the Tournament Director must be notified immediately.
If a teammate cannot start hunting with the team, you must:
Notify the Tournament Director BEFORE the tournament.
Notify when they begin hunting.
12. Registration Process
All registrations must be completed online.
13. Payment Method
Venmo is the only accepted payment method.
14. Cheating Policy
Any team caught cheating will be immediately disqualified and potentially banned from future events, including the EOS Showdown, regardless of points standing.
15. Points Race
Must pay POINTS registration Fee to be eligible
Points are awarded based on placement for teams that weigh in coyotes:
1st Place: 35 points
2nd Place: 34 points
3rd Place: 33 points
…and so on, decreasing by 1 point per placement.
If 26+ teams enter, the scoring system may be adjusted to ensure at least a 5-point gap between last place and teams that do not weigh in.
Teams that pay the tournament entry but do not weigh in will still receive 5 points.
The team with the highest total points After the February tournament will be crowned Season Points Champion.
Points Season Champion Perks:
FREE entry into the 2026/2027 Points Race (for the team captain’s team).
50% off entry fees for all series tournaments next season.
16. End of Season (EOS) Showdown
Entry Fee: $50 per team (100% payout).
Must have paid Team Points Race registration Fee
Ways to Qualify for the EOS Showdown:
Finish in the top 50% of registered teams.
Compete in EVERY Points Tournament.
Buy back missed tournaments for $30 per event.
Win a Series Tournament.
17. EOS Showdown Prize Payouts (Example based on 15 teams in all events)
1st Place: 60% + Plaque/Award ($1,530)
2nd Place: 30% + Plaque/Award ($765)
3rd Place: 10% cash payout only ($255)
Special Season Awards:
Biggest Coyote of the Year – Plaque/Award
Smallest Coyote of the Year – Plaque/Award
Most Coyotes Killed in the Season – Plaque/Award (only coyotes brought to weigh-in count!)
EOS Side Pots ($25 per category – 90% Payout 10% donated)
Big Coyote Pot
Small Coyote Pot
Most Coyotes Pot
18. Final Decisions & Conduct Rules
All final decisions are made by the Tournament Director and appointed decision members.
All Teams must dispose of their coyotes; the proper disposal of coyotes is required.
DO NOT dump coyotes on roadsides, public lands, or private property without permission.
Any team caught illegally dumping will be disqualified and may face a ban from future events, including the EOS Showdown, regardless of their points standing.
No refunds will be issued for any reason.
Any disputes or rule discrepancies will be reviewed by the Tournament Director and decision members.
The Tournament Director has the final say on all rulings.
If a decision could impact a tournament outcome involving the Tournament Director or decision members’ own team, those individuals must remove themselves from the discussion.