California’s Coyote Killing Ban Proposal Sparks Heated Debate

• May 14, 2025

A new proposal by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to restrict coyote killings is sparking strong reactions. The plan would make it illegal to kill coyotes unless they pose an immediate threat to livestock, with supporters calling it a necessary update and critics warning it could be dangerous.

In Loomis, a small town in Northern California, resident Winter Holloway knows firsthand the risks posed by predators. She has dealt with coyote and mountain lion attacks on her goats. To protect her animals, she uses motion-sensor lights and locks them up each night. But when these measures fail, Holloway takes direct action.

“My indoor dogs will alert me to things and my reaction is to go out with my gun because I assume coyotes every time,” she explained.

Under the new regulation, that quick response would become more complicated. Currently, Californians can kill coyotes at any time. However, the proposal would place coyotes in the same category as bears and mountain lions. This means a depredation permit would be required, which involves proving that a coyote posed a verified threat to livestock.

Holloway strongly opposes the change. “The whole idea that the coyote has to attack first and we have to prove it later, that’s absolutely ridiculous,” she said.

However, not everyone agrees. In nearby Colfax, wildlife rescue director Danielle Hanish believes the proposal is a step in the right direction. “It’s important for people to remember that we actually moved into their home. They’ve been here for thousands of years,” Hanish said.

While she also has concerns for the safety of her animals, Hanish supports non-lethal methods to prevent conflicts. She argues that killing coyotes indiscriminately, especially for sport, is unnecessary. “There’s a lot of ways to mitigate human-wildlife conflict with coyotes without having to kill them,” she added.

The proposal was temporarily paused after public backlash but has since returned for further discussion. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public meeting on May 15 to revisit the regulation. The outcome could redefine how the state balances wildlife protection with livestock safety.