Update: Fortunately, this bill did not complete the legislative process prior to adjournment.
Bill Description: If passed, this bill would modify existing depredation permit laws to allow certain species to be hunted at night with spotlights. Under existing law, individuals may obtain 90-day permits to kill wild animals that are a “nuisance” or are causing damage to crops, seed, or livestock. This law would, for the first time, allow animals such as coyote, beaver, bobcat, deer, and raccoons to be hunted at night pursuant to a depredation permit. In addition, the bill extends the length of the permits from 90 days to 1 year.
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Expanding hunting of these animals to include night-time hunting does not provide an effective solution. Issuing depradation permits for an entire year amounts to wholesale killing. The circumstances that led to the initial issuance of the permit will likely have changed long before the permit expires. And the extraordinary period of time allowed for these permits will result in numerous animals being killed instead of targeting the offending animal. As such, this legislation translates into year-round hunting under the guise of depradation permits. This is not an effective method of resolving wildlife/human conflicts. It is important, instead to implement policies that address human/wildlife conflicts in a thoughtful manner and acknowledge the complexity of maintaining a natural balance as this will help communities to attain long-term solutions to any conflicts that exist.