I heard that 80,000 coyotes or more are killed in Idaho each year. Is that correct? Is Fish and Game involved?

Answer: 
The Legislature, in Idaho Code section 36-201, named the coyote as unprotected and predatory wildlife. Therefore, Fish and Game does not manage coyote populations and keeps no harvest information except what is reported by trappers. In the 2001-2002 season, trapper harvest was 1,647 and the next year it was 2,478. Aside from the occasional biological study, such as to measure the impact of removal of coyotes on populations of deer, pheasants and sage grouse, Fish and Game is not directly involved in killing coyotes. IDFG does contract trappers to reduce predators, including coyotes, to protect nesting waterfowl at wildlife management areas. Their harvest is included in the trapper harvest mentioned above.
Answered on: 
Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:00 PM MST