State Senator Dave Miramant introduced legislation that would prohibit coyote hunting with dogs and would remove an exemption for hunting dogs running game. Legislative Draft 1265 (Senate Bill 416) has been referred to the Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife where it has a hearing on Wednesday, May 5, at 10 a.m. in the Cross Building Room 206.

Take Action Today! Maine members should contact the members of the Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and urge them to oppose LD 1265. Committee members can be contacted at the emails below:

Chair Jim Dill                                       James.Dill@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Russell Black                             Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Chip Curry                                 Chip.Curry@Legislature.Maine.gov
Rep. Scott Landry                             scott.landry@Legislature.Maine.gov
Rep. Robert Alley                             Robert.Alley@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Allison Hepler                          Allison.Hepler@Legislature.Maine.gov
Rep. Peter Lyford                             Peter.Lyford@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Danny Martin                          Danny.Martin@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. John Martin                              John.Martin@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Rick Mason                               Richard.Mason@Legislature.Maine.gov
Rep. Cathy Nadeau                         Cathy.Nadeau@Legislature.Maine.gov
Rep. Lester Ordway                         Lester.Ordway@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Tim Theriault                           Tim.Theriault@legislature.maine.gov

Coyotes are a non-native species in Maine, entering the state in the 1930s. As a result, coyotes have been legally hunted with hounds for decades to help manage their numbers. LD 1265 follows a national trend to end predator management activities and, in particular, predator hunting with hounds. Coyotes threaten people, pets, other wildlife and ranchers in Maine, and because of these conflicts Maine has a webpage dedicated to preventing conflict with coyotes.

A 2015 USDA report, titled Death Loss in US Cattle and Calves Due to Predator and Nonpredator Causes, found that 60.9 percent of all cattle lost to predators in New England states (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI & VT) were attributed to coyote depredation that resulted in more than $19 million in cattle loss in New England states. This data clearly indicates there are serious coyote depredation issues ongoing in Maine and this legislation removes a tool from already financially strapped farmers and ranchers in the state.

Beyond ending coyote hunting with dogs, LD 1265 removes an exemption for hunting dogs in the statute concerning dogs running at large. Current law exempts dogs actively engaged in hunting, such as hounds running bears or beagles pursuing rabbits. LD 1265 would put those and other activities at risk by removing the exemption and possibly lumping hunting dogs in pursuit with feral or stray dogs chasing harassing wildlife.

“There is no rational justification to protect a non-native predatory species in Maine by targeting the conservation work of houndsmen and the livelihoods of ranchers,” said Jacob Hupp, associate director of state services at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “There is no relevant peer-reviewed scientific data to support a ban on coyote hunting with hounds and the committee must reject this legislation on these grounds.”

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.