The public hearing was held May 3 on L.D. 1265, An Act to Control the Means of Killing Coyotes through discontinuing the use of bait, dogs and night hunting.

Using bait to lure an animal to a site for easy shooting, packs of dogs to corner and kill an animal and night hunting are not fair or ethical hunting practices. Currently, there is no closed season and no limit for hunting coyotes. L.D. 1265 seeks to level the playing field and question why these methods are used in the first place.

Coyotes are persecuted because of fear, ignorance and greed, not because they pose a threat. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reports that there are no documented coyote attacks on humans in Maine; 2020 had the highest number of deer tagged in 18 years (i.e., coyotes are not decimating the deer population), and coyote hunting permits are not a significant source of revenue. So why are multiple methods allowed to kill one species?

Humans are wired to resist change, yet change happens and we adapt. Ignorance and “this is the way it’s always been done” are not acceptable excuses. When we know better, we do better. And we do know better.

There is no social, biological or economic reason for current coyote “management” methods, and the unnecessary slaughter and suffering of coyotes will continue until Maine citizens demand otherwise. Contact MDIFW, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee members and your state representative and senator to voice your opinion.

Tammy Cloutier
Kennebunk