Hunting enthusiasts in Oregon may notice an increase in coyote sightings in cities. Many hunters are wondering how they can say goodbye to the Wile E. Coyote howling in their neighborhood.
Wildlife specialists at The Ohio State University say coyotes now inhabit every state but Hawaii and are taking up residence in cities, urban parks, and suburbs.
According to the National Geographic, researchers’ "Crittercams" show urban coyote in Chicago and they even know how to look before crossing the street. For this reason, hunting coyotes in Oregon is possible.
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But before you take on your own Road Runner adventure and take aim at an urban coyote, here are seven things you should know about urban coyote hunting in cities and suburbs in Oregon:
1. Know the city limits. It’s illegal to hunt within city limits in Oregon. State law says that hunting prohibition goes for cities and towns, public parks, cemeteries, schools, public roads, and railroads. Check a map to see if you are in the clear.
2. Ask for permission before hunting on someone else's land. You can go to the fringes of urban areas to hunt coyotes,
but the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wants you to be aware you need permission to hunt on someone else’s property.
3. You’ll also want to get a hunting license, take a hunter education course and pay attention to rules about shooting a weapon too close to a home or roadway. Check the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website for extensive information on hunting regulations.
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4. If you follow the rules, you may go after that Wile E. Coyote any time of year. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, “coyotes can be hunted and trapped at any time with approved methods.” Those approved methods include having a license before you hunt on public lands.
5. If you are concerned about public safety and feel the coyote is an imminent threat, the state guide “Living with Wildlife: Coyotes” recommends calling 9-1-1. If there’s no threat, you can call a Fish and Wildlife field office or a licensed Wildlife Control Operator.
6. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has primary authority in the state for control and management of coyotes. The Dept. of Agriculture folks classify coyotes as “unregulated predators” that may be destructive to agricultural crops.
7. There’s a growing effort in the state to not just hunt coyotes but to understand more about them. In cities like Portland, collection projects like the
Portland Urban Coyote Project encourage people to become “citizen scientists” and report a coyote sighting instead of taking the issue into their own hands with a gun.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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