To Whom It May Concern,

Around my home, many dogs have been attacked and killed by coyotes in the area. It became a large concern for landowners nearby and I received permission to access some of the land to hunt/trap many of the coyotes. I truly enjoy hunting/tapping and know how devastating and frustrating it can be if coyotes threaten your property and pets. I would love to help more people who have coyotes on their land and was wondering if there is a way to find out if residents nearby would like assistance or where else I could hunt coyotes that may be threatening and/or damaging? I merely want to help while continuing to participate in the sport I love. Thanks so much for all of your help.

This question was answered by IDNR District Wildlife Biologist Paul Brewer. Thanks for writing in with the question!! First of all, recreational coyote hunting is a sport enjoyed by many hunters all over the state of Illinois. It is important to have permission to hunt on all the property you plan on using for your hunt including access, egress, and retrieving the animal. You also need to have the proper licenses and follow all hunting and trapping regulations. This is particularly important when hunting in or near urban and suburban settings. It sounds like you are an experienced hunter and probably are aware of the regulations that apply to coyote hunting. More information about seasons and regulations can be found at: www.dnr.state.il.us . While I certainly do understand and share the grief caused by loss of a pet, there are measures that can be taken to help minimize such tragedies other than only trying to remove the coyotes. Leaving pet food and water outside overnight, leaving trash in open or easily opened containers, and even feeding other wildlife can help attract coyotes to areas around the home. See the "How to Prevent Problems with Wildlife" section and the Coyote section in the "Wildlife Directory" at this website for more tips. Leaving cats or dogs outside to roam freely puts pets at risk to a number of possible causes of death or injury, including accidents with vehicles and attacks by other domestic pets. Free ranging pets can also have very negative effects on native wildlife populations. Many counties and municipalities have regulations and "leash laws" regarding free roaming pets. As far as finding places to hunt coyotes where they are a problem, you might check with your local or county animal control agencies as they often get the initial calls regarding such concerns. Again, it is important to have permission to hunt on all the private land where your activity will take place. Make sure the land is open to hunting (not closed due to county or municipal ordinances) and again make sure all other regulations are followed. I hope you continue to enjoy the sport you love and continue to learn more about all Illinois wildlife. Thanks again for the question!!