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Division of Wildlife asks for supplemental funding after surge in coyote‑bounty submissions
Summary
The Division of Wildlife Resources told the subcommittee that a rule change boosting payments for coyotes taken in mule‑deer habitat sharply increased participation, exhausting the current appropriation; DWR requested a one‑time supplemental and ongoing funding to sustain the Mule Deer Protection Act program.
Justin Shannon, deputy director of the Division of Wildlife Resources, and Senator Musselman presented a supplemental funding request to cover unexpected demand in the Mule Deer Protection Act (a coyote‑removal bounty program).
DWR said the program historically paid $50 per coyote statewide but raised payments to $100 for coyotes taken in mapped mule‑deer habitat (with time‑stamped, geotagged photo evidence) to target removal in ranges important to deer survival. The agency reported the change reinvigorated participation and that submissions have exceeded the current appropriation: "We've already surpassed $250,000 which is our appropriation," Shannon said. DWR requested up to a $450,000 one‑time supplemental for the current year and an ongoing appropriation of $450,000 to continue targeted incentives.
Officials said the goal is not to maximize total coyote take but to direct effort to winter ranges, summer ranges and fawning grounds where predator control is most likely to benefit mule deer. DWR provided maps showing the targeted polygons and said the targeted incentive produced new participants (DWR cited roughly 105 new program entrants).
Why it matters: The RFA illustrates how program design changes can quickly alter budget trajectories. Legislators asked for geographic details of targeted zones and the fiscal analyst noted the request was not in the governor—s budget. Committee members expressed interest in program monitoring and in clear communication to avoid mid‑year shortfalls.
DWR characterized the program as a science‑informed, incentive‑driven tool to help stabilize mule deer populations; the committee did not record a disposition on the RFA during the hearing.
