I am not sure of hide thickness in PA. Out here in Cali, towards the central coast, the hides even in winter are less thick then say a colder climate would have. I own a Ruger .17 HMR and have taken a few yotes with the firecracker of a caliber but I have kept my shots under 120 yards. I will not rely on the .17 HMR to take down a full size yote past that for that is a risk I do not take. If you can almost guarantee, which is unlikely, no problems with windage, drop, shift, human error, and accurate yard measurment, then it is possible, under the distance I said before. Now, with my .308 or .338, thats a different story. My advice, try to call them in as close as your are comfortable, and always take head shots with the .17 HMR. Works for me if it is within the 120 yard realm.