Wolf Patrol's video: Support Vermont s Proposed Ban on Coyote Hunting with Hounds

Vermont has a proposed bill, S.281 that would effectively end the use of hounds to hunt coyote and is currently under consideration by the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. On February 24 & 25, 2022 the committee heard testimony related to the bill, which is expected to be voted on the week of March 8. Wolf Patrol had earlier submitted written testimony to the committee, but we wanted to also take a look for ourselves at the growing problem hunting coyotes with hounds has created for landowners and the public opposed to the cruelty associated with the sport. On February 26th, 2022 I grabbed our cameras and headed to Addison County, where residents have reported multiple conflicts with coyote hunters who trespass and block roads. Since beginning our investigation of coyote hound hunting practices in Vermont, Wolf Patrol has discovered that the practice is quite common in the winter months when no other big game seasons are open. In Vermont, like most other states, coyotes can be hunted every day of the year with no bag limit. As coyotes have spread east, occupying the ecological niche left behind by other predators, namely the wolf and mountain lion, they have become the target of hound hunters. S. 281 would prohibit the use of hounds to hunt coyotes, with an amendment authorizing state game wardens to issue one-time only depredation permits where hounds could be used to hunt coyotes that pose a threat to life or property on private lands. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is proposing stricter conditions and a season on hunting coyotes with hounds, but that does not address the inherent cruelty associated with a sport that allows hunters to use multiple vehicles, gps-collared hounds, snowmobiles and bait to pursue one animal sometimes for dozens of miles until they can run no longer. Please write to Vermont's Natural Resources and Energy Committee today to let them know that you support an outright ban on recreational hunting of coyotes with hounds, which looks more like dog-fighting than hunting. This bill will be voted on in committee the week of March 8th, but it still has a long way to go before it becomes law. Let's remain vigilant and stand with the coyotes until they are safe from dog hunters in Vermont! NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Senator Chris Bray cbray@leg.state.vt.us (802) 453-3444 Senator Rich Westman rawestman@gmail.com (802) 644-2297 Senator Mark MacDonald mmacdonald@leg.state.vt.us (802) 272-1101 Senator Brian Campion bcampion@leg.state.vt.us (802) 375-4376 Senator Richard McCormack rmccormack@leg.state.vt.us (802) 793-6417 Senator Becca Balint bbalint@leg.state.vt.us (802) 257-4162 The February Senate Natural Resources Committee hearings on S.281 can be viewed on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAxisSP5q5VadHDrMdMcyg