WYOMING – On Feb. 13 a new bill allowing hunters to use artificial and infrared light and night vision to assist in killing coyotes on public land passed the Wyoming Senate two weeks after it passed the House.
House Bill 104 is sponsored by Representative Jeremy Haroldson and seeks to allow hunters to stalk and kill coyotes, in addition to other predators, at night with “the aid of an artificial light or lighting device including thermal or infrared imaging or other light imaging” on public land. Hunting predators with the use of artificial or infrared light is currently only allowed on private land with permission of the landowner.
The bill is currently back in the House to concur with amendments made by the Senate.
State Senator Dan Dockstader (R) and Representative Andrew Byron (R) voted in favor of the bill. Senator Mike Gierau (D) and Representatives Liz Storer (D) and Mike Yin (D) voted against it.
Coyotes, also nicknamed “song dogs” for their communication style, are prevalent in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and are a common predator in and around Jackson Hole. Coyotes are adaptable, omnivorous scavengers and eat a wide variety of food including prey and berries. They are also a symbolic figure in Native American mythology.
Contrary to popular belief, coyotes are not strictly nocturnal. They can also be active during the day, particularly in the winter.
While the aim of the bill is to help reduce coyote threat to livestock, there is question as to whether or not this is an effective strategy. Killing adult coyotes, especially alpha members, can increase breeding as other lone coyotes move in to the pack and mate with multiple members. They then need to acquire even more food to feed the litters.
There is a potential cost barrier for those wanting to hunt at night under the new bill. Infrared lights can cost hundreds of dollars, and thermal scopes can cost thousands.
Under Wyoming state law there is no established bag limit, the number of single species that can be harvested per day, hunting season or license requirement for killing coyotes.
