Update: Sadly, this bill received approval from the Legislature and was signed into law by the Governor.
Bill Description: If passed, this bill would modify existing laws to allow coyotes to be hunted an additional month. Under existing law, the coyote hunting season is year-round and coyotes can be hunted at night from January 1 to April 30 each year. An individual hunter can kill an unlimited number of coyotes. In addition, there is a trapping season on coyotes whereby an individual can kill an unlimited number of coyotes.
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Expanding night-time hunting of coyotes does not provide an effective solution. These animals play a vital ecological role in healthy ecosystems by reducing rodent populations and keeping other animal populations in check. Keeping these animals around helps to maintain a balance within the environment. Addressing human/wildlife conflicts in a thoughtful manner and acknowledging the complexity of maintaining a natural balance will help communities to attain long-term solutions to any conflicts that exist. Continuing to expand hunting of these animals simply does not work; when one animal is removed by hunting, another coyote will simply fill that space as long as attractants are available.