Bill Description: If passed, this bill would modify existing laws to allow coyotes to be hunted at night year-round. Under existing law, the coyote hunting season is year-round but coyotes cannot be hunted at night. 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. This bill also would allow the killing of beaver with bows and arrows. Finally, while the bill would prohibit the feeding of wild alligators, the overall effect of the bill is harmful to wildlife.
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Action: Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to oppose S 1464. Tell your Senator that 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 anmal 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.
Update: The bill language was modified (amended) in the Senate committee and the bill no longer calls for expanded coyote hunting. This bill passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by the Governor on 08/21/07.