Establish Coyotes as Pests under the CAP Program
Res #: 17-25A
Number: 17
Year: 2025
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
WHEREAS SARM administers the Beaver Control Program on behalf of the province, focusing on the humane removal of adult nuisance beavers and the management of the adult beaver population within their jurisdictions. SARM also oversees the Rat Control Program to manage rat populations in their respective areas.
WHEREAS low prices for coyote pelts have discouraged many trappers from capturing coyotes, this has led to a significant increase in the coyote population. As a result, livestock producers are experiencing higher rates of livestock loss.
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministry of Agriculture and the federal government to classify coyotes as approved pests under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) cost-shared rebate program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a program similar to the Beaver Control Program be established, allowing municipalities to receive reimbursement of up to 50 percent of the costs incurred for each adult coyote removed by licensed fur trappers.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
April 2, 2025
The ministry recognizes the importance of removing predator animals. Some best practices for reducing livestock predation include herd surveillance, fencing, corralling, carrion disposal, repellants, age-classing, and guard animals.
Like other predators, coyotes can self-regulate their populations through compensatory breeding based on available resources. This often makes bounty programs challenging in long-term population reduction. The targeted removal of individuals or packs predating on livestock has been proven to be more effective in resolving predator conflicts when compared to bounty programs.
RMs can pass bylaws to encourage hunting or trapping in working landscapes where local issues have been identified. The Wildlife Regulations, 1981, allow Saskatchewan residents to hunt coyotes with a firearm in the southern fur conservation area without a license, unless the person wants to possess the hide or carcass.
The ministry encourages producers to work with licensed trappers, predation specialists, or provincial specialists to address predatory events. Producers can also contact SCIC for information on the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention Programs which offer compensation for predatory events and predation prevention measures:
- SCIC’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program provides producers with compensation for eligible livestock lost due to predators. SCIC provides up to 100 per cent compensation for injury or death of eligible livestock, fowl, or specialty animals by predators, and up to 80 per cent of the animal’s value to cover veterinary costs incurred as a result of the injury, due to a predator attack.
- SCIC can also provide compensation for approved prevention measures through the Wildlife Damage Prevention Program. If a producer is having predation issues, SCIC will coordinate a predation specialist to come to the operation to assess the situation. The predation specialist aids in removing predators or may work with the producer to create a plan to protect the livestock from predators. Through the Wildlife Damage Prevention program, producers are eligible for up to a $400 rebate after purchasing a recognized guardian dog breed for their operation.
Daryl Harrison – Minister of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan
