Wildlife activists took a shot across the chin when the Vermont Supreme Court let stand new regulations from the state’s wildlife agency. The court ruled earlier this summer that the state Fish and Wildlife Board satisfied the state legislature’s intent in regard to new regulations for trapping and hunting coyotes with dogs.

Legislators in 2022 approved a temporary ban on hunting coyotes with hounds. They wanted the wildlife agency to come up with new regulations that would ease the conflicts between hunters and landowners. Part of the ban involved being able to “control” the hounds during a coyote chase, so the dogs did not trespass. They also wanted the wildlife agency to set stricter trapping regulations, specify traps and locations, and how to kill the trapped animals.

From that charge, the Fish and Wildlife Board established regulations requiring coyote hunters to register dogs, record where they hunt and use GPS tracking collars. Legislators and activists howled about the GPS collars, saying that was not “control” during a pursuit, and also challenged new trapping regulations.

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules said the new regulations did not go far enough, but the wildlife board adopted them anyway. Lawsuits were filed in 2024 by wildlife activists, who want hunting and trapping completely banned.

The Vermont Supreme Court denied the challenge, saying the wildlife board met the requirements. The new regulations are in effect now for trapping and hunting coyotes with hounds.