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Commission backs rebrand of predator bounty: youth-trapping program retained; one-year coyote bounty pilot approved with $300,000 cap
Summary
After public and legislative scrutiny, the commission approved staff’s plan to convert the broader nest-predator bounty into two pieces: a youth trapping recruitment program capped at $200,000 and a one-year statewide coyote bounty pilot capped at $300,000. Commissioners directed staff to set the coyote payout at $30 per carcass for the pilot and to return a resolution for formal adoption.
Director Tom Kershman presented a staff recommendation to rework the longstanding nest predator bounty program in response to stakeholder concerns and recent legislative attention. "This is not taxpayer dollars. We do not use general funds from the legislature to pay for any of our programs ... These are license dollars," Kershman said, emphasizing the program’s funding source.
Staff proposed two changes: (1) retain the youth component as a Youth Trapping Recruitment Program (resident youth 17 and under, statewide, $10 per tail, March 1–July 1) capped at $200,000; and (2) reallocate the remaining program funds to a statewide coyote bounty pilot capped at $300,000, initially proposed at $20 per carcass and later adjusted by the commission to $30 per carcass for the one‑year trial (run April 1–July 1). Staff framed the coyote pilot as targeted at the peak fawning and lambing season to help livestock producers and to potentially improve neonate ungulate recruitment.
Commission debate covered timing, fraud risk, collection logistics, and whether the per‑tail payout would sufficiently incentivize participation. Commissioners suggested raising the coyote bounty from the $20 draft to $30 to broaden participation; several commissioners said they favored a short, one‑year pilot to learn about outcomes before committing longer term.
Commission action: the commission voted to proceed with the transition and directed staff to draft a resolution implementing the two components and reflecting a $30-per-coyote payout with the $300,000 cap and a $200,000 youth cap; that resolution was to be presented for formal adoption the following day. The motion to proceed was moved by Commissioner Cole and seconded in the meeting record; the commission approved by voice vote.
What’s next: staff will prepare the resolution and program materials (eligibility, collection points, anti-fraud tracking) and return to the commission for formal adoption and implementation instructions.
