News release

Coyote Plan Attracts More Trappers

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

The province's plan to address aggressive coyote behaviour is attracting more professional trappers and increasing community safety.

Thirty-seven new trappers have joined the pelt-incentive program that operates during the regular trapping season, Oct. 15 to March 31.

"The four-part coyote plan was launched two years ago to educate people about aggressive coyotes and to change the behaviour of aggressive coyotes toward people," said Charlie Parker, Minister of Natural Resources. "We are working to make the province safer for everyone."

The pelt-incentive program is part of a four-part plan to make the province safer from aggressive coyotes by strengthening their fear of humans, changing their behaviour and educating Nova Scotians who come in contact with them. It is not intended to reduce the coyote population over the long term.

A total of 403 licensed trappers took part in the program in the 2011-12 season, up from 366 the previous year. At $20 per pelt, $66,800 was paid this year to trappers who harvested and properly prepared 3,340 pelts.

"The pelt-incentive program has been successful in attracting 37 more trappers this year, which helps strengthen the coyote population's negative association with people, making people safer," said Mike Boudreau, the province's conflict wildlife biologist. "Trappers must check their traps every day and their presence in the woods and the traps they set send a regular message to the coyote population that humans should be avoided."

The other parts of the plan include providing Nova Scotians with education materials, training 13 trappers to target aggressive coyotes in selected areas when needed, and hiring a wildlife conflict biologist.

Since the plan was created, government has released educational materials provincewide, including providing posters, bookmarks, and pamphlets to every elementary school. Provincial staff continue to promote coyote awareness to schools, community groups and media.

Government's priority to reduce human-wildlife conflict and promote safety will continue. The educational materials, are available at www.gov.ns.ca/natr .