Coyotes timeline

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1892

Maine’s much publicized “last wolf” is shot in Washington County, leaving the state’s forests without a large predator by the turn of the century.

1930s

Maine residents begin reporting the appearance of a new predator, the coyote.

1936

The first coyote shot in Maine is inspected by biologists in Argyle township, north of Bangor.

1939

Neck snares are banned in Maine, with a single exception for underwater beaver trapping.

1940

Federal biologists advocate killing coyote pups in their dens as the preferred means of population control.

1970

Coyotes have expanded their range to include the entire state of Maine.

1972

The federal government bans the use of a compound 1080, a poison that was the most common means of coyote control.

1973

A Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife study determines that deer are a major winter food source for coyotes.

1978

DIF&W biologists begin killing individual nuisance coyotes that are preying on deer.

1979

A new law gives DIF&W commissioner the right to order the killing of coyotes at any time and in any manner that he deems appropriate.

1980

A device for killing coyotes with cyanide is banned in Maine after sportsmen oppose its use.

1982

Maine’s deer population reaches an all-time low of 160,000 animals.

1983

The Legislature passes a law creating DIF&W’s coyote control program, and explicitly legalizing the department’s use of neck snares for killing coyotes. The law also legalizes night hunting for coyotes.

1985

DIF&W creates the Animal Damage Control Program and begins contracting with snares to remove large numbers of coyotes from white-tailed deer habitat.

1989

Two bald eagles are killed by coyote snares in Hancock County, and in response, DIF&W requires the use of “stops” to keep snares at a minimum size so small animals can escape.

1989

DIF&W sponsers a one-time contest to build interest in coyote snaring, paying cash prizes as high as $1,500 for exceptional coyote carcasses.

1990

A Canada lynx, a threatened species, is caught and killed by a snare intended for coyotes.

December 1995

DIF&W biologists report that a lack of winter habitat is the major factor in deer population losses, and coyote control would only be effective in those areas where a lack of habitat is already limiting the deer population.

February 2001

More than 1,000 Aroostook County residents petition DIF&W, asking biologists to kill more coyotes to protect northern deer.

November 2001

Data from a DIF&W coyote study indicate some snared coyotes suffer for days before they die.

June 2002

The nonprofit NoSnare Task Force is founded to oppose DIF&W’s coyote control program.

October 2002

DIF&W revises its snaring policy, banning stops and instead requiring the use of spring-loaded, locking snares equipped with a breakaway device for large game animals.