Grey County will review and update its nuisance beaver and coyote compensation by-laws this year, potentially offering more to trappers to cull the problem creatures.
Trapper Gary Stocking suggested raising the compensation for both by-laws back in October. Since then, staff found that the beaver by-law hasn't been updated since 2004, and the coyote/wolf by-law hasn't been touched in nearly 15 years.
Chatsworth Mayor Scott Mackey said it's something that needs to be looked at as the animals still pose a major problem.
"The issues continues with both beavers and coyote," he said. "Livestock kills continue to go up, we're hearing even small animals lovers are losing some of their little furballs to coyote. The issue is compensations hasn't changed for a lot of years and certainly I think it needs to be reviewed."
The County currently pays $25 for problem beavers and $50 for problem coyotes and wolves. Huron and Bruce Counties each pay $100 for coyotes, and Bruce County pays $30 for beavers.
West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles said they should also eliminate the requirement that trappers be Grey County residents.
"It's getting harder and harder to find local trappers," he said. "But in our purchasing by-laws, my understanding is we cannot eliminate somebody on residence... my feeling is, I would like to see that eliminated going forward."
Staff say the review will be done in consultation with the agricultural sector, trappers, municipalities, provincial ministries and the public.