Westrom introduces bill to hunt coyotes from aircraft

State Representative Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, introduced a bill Thursday that would allow for the hunting of coyotes from an airplane.

House File 2461 would allow for hunters to obtain a permit to take coyotes from aircraft.

According to Minnesota Department of Natural Reources hunting and trapping guidelines, weasels, coyotes, gophers, porcupines, striped skunks and all other mammals for which there are no closed seasons or other protection are unprotected animals.

They may be taken in any manner, except with the aid of artificial lights or by using a motor vehicle to drive, chase, run over, or kill the animal.

Poisons may not be used except in accordance with all label regulations of the state Department of Agriculture and federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The bill also says, in addition to any permits issued, the commissioner shall issue special permits, without a fee, for taking coyotes from an aircraft to control coyote populations for the purpose of protecting livestock, domesticated animals, crops, and human life.

"This legislation will bring back a new dimension to the sport of hunting, potentially entice more people to hunt these animals and help to rein in the coyote population, just like it has been done in the past,” said Westrom.

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