June 12, 2008

Final figures gathered by MassWildlife's five district offices totaled a record 442 coyotes taken by licensed hunters during the 2007-2008 coyote season. The coyote harvest for 2007-2008 nearly doubled from the previous season total of 222. 199 coyotes were taken in the Southeast District, 34 in the Northeast District, 50 in the Central District, 58 in the Connecticut Valley District, and 99 in the Western District. 2 additional coyotes were checked in at a Western district check station, but the hunting locations of these animals were not documented. The Eastern coyote is a protected game species in Massachusetts with the shortest coyote hunting season in the United States. The 2008-09 hunting season dates for coyotes are October 18, 2008- March 7, 2009.

Approximately half of the increase in harvest was attributed to 5 additional weeks newly added to the 2007-08 season and the other half of the increase was attributed to an increased harvest during what had been the traditional season dates. 58 coyotes were taken during shotgun hunting season for deer. Since 2002, the Division has seen a steady increase in the number of coyotes harvested as well as the number of successful licensed hunters. 173 licensed hunters were successful in taking at least 1 coyote compared to 84 successful coyote hunters in the 2006-07 hunting season. More details on harvest information will be posted in the hunting area of MassWildlife's website.

In the summer of 2007, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board promulgated new coyote regulations designed to balance public interests and respond to public inquiries and concerns while recognizing the coyote as a protected valuable wildlife species. The two most significant regulation changes involved expanding the coyote hunting season by five weeks, which also allowed for coyote hunting during the shotgun season for deer. Secondly, coyotes were added to the list of 25 species that Problem Animal Control (PAC) agents are currently authorized to remove, with a certification training requirement for any agents who want to manage individual problem coyotes. Laura Hajduk, recently hired MassWildlife Furbearer Biologist, said that agency staff are currently developing a certification training program required for interested PAC agents which will be offered this year.