Plain Language Analysis
The Bureau of Wildlife Management recommends promulgating rules modifying chapter NR 10 Wis. Admin. Code related to the coyote hunting season.
SECTIONS 1 and 2 repeal the coyote hunting season closure in Wolf Management Zone 1 and create a statewide open season.
Summary of, and Comparison with, Existing or Proposed Federal Regulations
These state rules and statutes do not relieve individuals from the restrictions, requirements and conditions of federal statutes and regulations. Regulating the hunting and trapping of native species has been delegated to state fish and wildlife agencies.
Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States
Coyotes are an unprotected species in Minnesota and they may be hunted year-round. In Michigan, the coyote hunting season begins on July 15 and ends on April 15. The Iowa coyote season is open continuously, year-round. In Illinois, the coyote season is open year-round except that, during firearm deer seasons, coyote hunters must also possess a valid, unfilled deer tag.
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies
The coyote hunting season is currently closed at times when firearm deer seasons are open in Wolf Management Zone 1. This rule would open the coyote season.
Under this proposal, wolves would continue to be protected during the firearm deer season and harvest would only be allowed by a person who possesses a valid wolf harvesting license.
The current closure was established when wolves were listed in Wisconsin and federally as an endangered species, to prevent incidents of misidentification by people who intended to harvest coyotes. The closure is no longer needed for protection of the wolf population and this coyote hunting opportunity can be restored. The wolf population has expanded and packs are established in many areas outside of Wolf Management Zone 1, where the current coyote season closure has never been in effect. Coyote harvest has also been allowed in Wolf Management Zone 1 at times when firearm deer seasons were not open.
Policies relevant to the rule are consistent with existing policies for hunting. Coyote harvest is currently and has historically been allowed during firearm deer seasons outside of Zone 1 and this does not seem to have impacted wolf management in those areas. The department has regulations in place establishing open and closed seasons or continuous open seasons for many established species.
Coyotes are commonly harvested incidentally by people who primarily hunting deer during the firearm deer season. Expanding that opportunity to hunters in Wolf Management Zone 1 will increase opportunity for those hunters and they are the only people who are likely to be affected by the proposed rule.
Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of Economic Impact Report
These rules, and the legislation which grants the department rule making authority, do not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector. Additionally, no costs are associated with compliance to these rules. During the firearm deer season, hunters are primarily pursuing deer and that is what drives a person's decision to participate. Hunters may appreciate the opportunity to harvest a coyote incidentally to their deer hunting activities, but the opportunity is not anticipated to have any impact on hunter participation or their related activities and expenditures.
Effects on Small Business
These rules are applicable to individual sportspersons and impose no compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses, and no design or operational standards are contained in the rule. Because this rule does not add any regulatory requirements for small businesses, the proposed rules will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses under 227.24 (3m), Stats.
Pursuant to s.
227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on small businesses. The Department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator may be contacted at
SmallBusiness@dnr.state.wi.us or by calling (608) 266-1959.
Environmental Impact
That the department has determined these emergency rule revisions are a Type IV action which is exempt under Chapter
NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code, and no environmental analysis is required.
Fiscal Estimate
State: No State Fiscal Effect.
Local: No Local Government Costs.
Agency Contact Person
Mr. Scott Loomans
Bureau of Wildlife Management
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
