Vermont judge agrees with state on coyote hunting ruling

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A judge is siding with the state in a long-running dispute over hunting coyotes.

Wildlife advocates have fought for years to outlaw the practice of hunting coyotes using dogs.

Lawmakers stopped short of a ban in 2021 when they passed a law to put regulations in place.

Protect Our Wildlife, the Vermont Wildlife Coalition, the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action sued the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Board calling the new rules inadequate. The groups asked the court to put a moratorium on coyote hunting in place until the underlying case is decided.

But the judge rejected that effort. In his ruling, Superior Court Judge Timothy Tomasi notes that this is the first time the state has had any oversight of coyote hunting with dogs. He said the regulations preserve the type of hunting while reducing risks it may present.

In a statement, Protect Our Wildlife said: “This is far from a definitive legal ruling – it’s a preliminary judgment by a lower court judge based on an incomplete administrative record. We look forward to presenting all our evidence in a full hearing and, if necessary, before appellate judges where we are confident that we will prevail.”

The Fish and Wildlife Department declined to comment on the ruling or what it might mean when the full case is heard.

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