copyright the Chronicle February 14, 2018
Vermont’s coyotes, an often vilified species, have been acquiring defenders lately. There have been increasing calls for a closed hunting season, much as there is for other animals, like deer, bear, and turkeys.
And recently the House Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife Committee approved a bill that would ban coyote killing contests. Those who organize or participate in such contests would be fined between $400 and $1,000, sent to jail for no more than 60 days, or both. It also elevates coyotes to big game status.
The measure is actually an amendment to the big game violation section of a fish and wildlife bill that addresses multiple issues.
“We made the coyotes into a big game animal,” said committee member Paul Lefebvre of Newark. “That’s the reason why the fines are what they are.”
He said the vote was 6-2 in favor of the ban.
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