As a state that reveres coyotes as the State Animal, it is a shame that such extremes are being taken to eradicate the species from the landscape.

Passed by the State Senate and now before the House, SB 55 will allow coyotes to be chased down and hunted by snowmobile. South Dakota has already deemed it unwise to allow hunting from a snowmobile and this bill seeks to have coyotes be the only exception to the rule.

This will open the door for any and all coyotes to be killed. Instead of reporting a problem, landowners will be able to take matters into their own hands and enact revenge against suspected problem coyotes. As it is, coyotes are being pursued by aerial hunters to reduce livestock conflicts through state-run programs.

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department and the United States Department of Agriculture oppose this bill. Coyote damage is managed by these agencies, agencies that understand coyote biology and behavior. They caution that by removing non-offending coyotes or too many coyotes, the problem could actually get worse instead of better.

A wide number of non-lethal  predator management techniques are available to livestock growers in order to reduce livestock loss. Investing in these programs over a coyote over-kill program is beneficial in the long run.

Photo Copyright: Pamela Black