The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association advocates on behalf of Delaware’s community of hunters and trappers and represented their interests in a Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) meeting held on September 4.
One of the main topics discussed at the September 4 meeting was DNREC’s proposal to allow coyote hunting from November through February and coyote trapping from December 1 through March 10. DSSA applauds the proactive efforts of DNREC to monitor and control Delaware’s coyote population, especially their recognition that trapping and hunting are effective ways to control the coyote population.
While DNREC’s proposed coyote hunting and trapping seasons provide solid discussion points regarding Delaware coyote hunting and trapping, the DSSA board of directors believes that coyote hunting and trapping seasons should be more liberal (as they are in the surrounding states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland). As such, after seeking feedback from Delaware hunters and trappers and after listening to feedback presented during the September 4 DNREC meeting, the DSSA board of directors has submitted a resolution to DNREC regarding coyote hunting and trapping.
Because of the ability for coyotes to adapt and thrive in varied habitats (including urban and suburban settings); their ability to produce litters of an average of six to eight pups per year; their opportunistic and predatory nature that can be detrimental to Delaware livestock, deer, birds, pets, and other animals; and their secretive and elusive nature that leads them to frequently hunt and move about at dawn, dusk, and during nighttime hours, DSSA proposed the following hunting and trapping guidelines to DNREC:
- year-round hunting of Delaware coyotes by licensed Delaware hunters on private land 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including the use of bait and electronic calling devices
- opportunistic hunting (the legal ability for any hunter to kill a coyote while legally pursuing deer with a bow, crossbow, shotgun, muzzleloader, or handgun) of Delaware coyotes by licensed Delaware hunters on Delaware State lands where other types of hunting are permitted, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- coyote-specific nighttime hunting of Delaware coyotes by licensed Delaware hunters on Delaware State lands where other types of hunting are permitted, from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, 7 days a week, from September 1 through March 15, including the use of bait and electronic calling devices
- the ability for licensed hunters to possess the hides of the harvested coyotes;
- trapping and snaring of Delaware coyotes by licensed Delaware trappers during Delaware’s established furbearer trapping seasons and the ability for licensed trappers to possess and sell the hides of the harvested coyotes.
Keeping the wishes of Delaware hunters, trappers, farmers, and other landowners in mind, DSSA will continue to provide support on hunting- and trapping-related issues. If you wish to provide feedback regarding Delaware’s coyote hunting and trapping regulations, please contact DSSA Director Steven Kendus.