Wolves, a species protected under both state and federal law, once roamed widely throughout New York but were driven to extinction in the early 1900s due to deliberate extermination. As apex predators, wolves play a critical ecological role in maintaining balanced and healthy ecosystems. Given adequate protections, they are capable of traveling hundreds of miles to reclaim their historic range.
In recent decades, wolves have sporadically migrated into New York and other northeastern states. However, because of their similar appearance to large eastern coyotes, wolves are often misidentified and mistakenly killed by hunters and trappers.
Legislation (S.5402/A.1229A), introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Robert Carroll, would direct the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to collect data about wild canids (specifically coyotes and wolves) that have specified characteristics that are killed or found in New York State.
It’s hoped the data collected will help DEC to identify areas of the state where wolves, a protected endangered species, may be present and directs DEC to collect genetic information on coyote and wolf populations in the state. The legislation does not reduce the hunting season or decrease bag limits for hunters and trappers lawfully killing coyotes or other game animals in New York State.
This bill takes an essential first step to prevent such accidental killings by requiring additional hunter/trapper training and requiring the collection of genetic samples from large wild canids, helping scientists and wildlife managers understand wolf presence in New York.
The legislation requires hunters and trappers to report to DEC canids killed, as required for numerous other species, to collect key information on the characteristics of animals killed, number of animals killed, and location data.
Canids that weigh greater than 50 pounds will be subjected to DNA analysis by DEC to determine the genetic ancestry of the animal. If DNA analysis shows that the animal is a wolf, DEC would determine where the wolf was killed and may take additional protective measures, consistent with its existing authority to protect endangered species, to protect any other wolves in the area where the wolf was located.
DEC would also be required to: provide information on wild canids to the public including any DNA test results of wild canids; update its hunting and trapping educational materials to provide hunters and trappers with information on the legal status for wolves, and how to distinguish a wolf from a coyote in the field; and submit a report on the status of wolves in New York State.
Read more about wolves in New York State.
Photo: A wild canid.
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