Predator-control legislation still alive

• Russell Olson

Russell Olson

Talk about it

PIERRE — The Senate approved $1 Wednesday for a special predator control campaign during calving and lambing season this spring.

The final amount will be settled later as lawmakers draw a tighter bead on the available extra money to place in SB 238. Its sponsor, Senate Republican leader Russ Olson, of Wentworth, originally sought $300,000. Senators voted 25-8 to keep the bill alive and send it to the House of Representatives.

Olson said he heard from a Sanborn County rancher about how the coyote population has grown.

“I didn’t know it was that big of a problem, to be honest with you,” he said.

The additional state money would help offset the loss of federal aid. Senate Democratic Leader Jason Frerichs, of Wilmot, said the elimination of federal budget earmarks is the reason.

Frerichs said “hundreds” of coyotes can be taken by a plane crew in one day. There are other bills alive that would increase the surcharge by $1 on hunting licenses and to allow for more money to be raised at the county level as two other pieces of the funding puzzle.

Tags: outdoors, news, updates, legislature, predators