Deer, coyote provisions held over

Counties would be authorized to pay bounty hunters for killing coyotes, and drivers who kill a deer with their vehicle would have the option of keeping the carcass, according to two bills laid over for possible inclusion in the House Game, Fish and Forestry Division omnibus bill.

Sponsored by Rep. Lyle Koenen (DFL-Clara City), HF2811 would let counties pass resolutions that allow bounty hunters to capture coyotes. Counties would administer the programs and pay the bounties; no state money would be used.

Chippewa County Commissioner Jeffrey Lopez said coyote along the Minnesota River Valley in southwestern Minnesota have reportedly killed livestock in pastures, including piglets and sheep grown on organic farms. The predators have been known to burrow under electric fences to get at their prey.

Lopez estimates the bounty price to be about $25 per coyote. Ed Boggess, deputy fish and wildlife director for the Department of Natural Resources, doubts that a coyote bounty would significantly impact the population.

Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder) said he’s seen an explosion of coyotes and supports the bill. “I don’t see any downside to this legislation.” 

A companion, SF2641, sponsored by Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite Falls), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Division Chairman Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake) sponsors HF2955 that would allow the driver of a motor vehicle that collides and kills a deer on a public road the right to keep the deer so long as the deer was not killed illegally. Currently, all wildlife is considered state property. Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) sponsors a companion bill, SF2711, which awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.