Image: deleware_coyote

Delaware may allow hunters to pursue coyotes year-round in an effort to help control the wild canine’s population growth. (Photo by Harry Collins Photography)

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is considering making coyote hunting season year-round, in addition to other wildlife regulation changes.

According to wboc.com, coyote hunting is currently permitted from September 1 through the end of February.

DNREC says coyotes are invasive to Delaware, which is recognized as the 49th state populated by coyotes. Hawaii is the only state without a coyote population.

“Hardly any animal in America is more adaptable to changing conditions,” DNREC says. “The coyote can live in deserts, swamps, tundra, grasslands and dense forests, from below sea level to high mountains. They have now learned to live in suburbs and cities.”

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The state’s coyote population is increasing and DNREC says extending the hunting season for the wild canines would allow for better management of the species and provide more opportunities for hunters.

“Coyotes are a smart and adaptive invasive species, extending the season will allow hunters to better manage the population, and help prevent the negative impact coyotes can pose to local ecosystems and native wildlife,” a public comment submitted to DNREC states.

Another wildlife regulation change would remove the requirement that hunters report a harvested coyote to the Division of Fish and Wildlife by the end of the next business day.

Additional key proposed regulation change includes an update to language related to Sunday gamebird hunting. DNREC is currently welcoming public input on the various changes until Friday, September 12.