Madison follows Wisconsin DNR coyote rules; lethal removal inside city limits is rare and requires DNR depredation permits. Residents are urged to haze coyotes, secure food, and report aggressive encounters to Public Health.
Coyotes are unprotected wildlife under Wis. Stat. ch. 29, but firearms discharge inside Madison is barred under city ordinance unless DNR issues a depredation or nuisance permit. Public Health Madison & Dane County tracks aggressive encounters; UW-Madison's Urban Canid Project studies isthmus populations. Residents must keep small pets supervised, never feed coyotes (Ch. 9 wildlife-feeding ban), and remove fallen fruit and pet food from yards. Aggressive coyotes showing no fear of humans should be reported to Madison Police; trapping is regulated by DNR licensure and city humane standards.
Feeding wildlife or discharging firearms violates city code with forfeitures around $200-$1,000; unlicensed trapping carries DNR penalties and possible weapons charges.
Madison, WI
Madison prohibits feeding deer, waterfowl, and most wildlife under MGO 23.32 and related park rules. Bird feeding in moderation is generally allowed. WI DNR ...
Madison, WI
Wildlife rehabilitation in Madison requires a Wisconsin DNR Class A or Class B rehabber license under Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 19. City ordinances bar private...
See how Madison's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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