Coyotes in trouble

[Egon]

CBC News - Saskatchewan - Coyote bounty kills hit 18,000 in Sask.

Just came across this news item.

 

[jayste]

Makes me think of "Wooly" from the Randy Anderson hunting videos. I think he lives is Saskatchewan. He's a coyote slayer!

 

[dave1949]

18,000 coyotes dead
Saskatchewan area: 591,670 square kilometers

1 dead coyote per 32.9 square kilometers.

Might as well spit in the ocean

I don't doubt that shooting coyotes near your home/farm/ranch makes them shy away for a while, but I also believe wildlife folks who say it makes no difference in the over all population and the province bounty money is wasted in that regard. Send that money south and bail us out

The comments were fun to read.
Dave.

 

[Egon]

Take a look at the map of Saskatchewan. It's not all populated.

 

[dave1949]

Take a look at the map of Saskatchewan. It's not all populated.

Morning Egon,

I noticed about the northern third is pretty sparse, especially to the northeast and thought about that and coyote density. I wouldn't be surprised if the coyote density is higher in the populated areas. There will be more coyotes killed near population centers too I bet. In the end, it is all relative. I don't mean to imply the coyote population is evenly distributed.

If I deduct 33% of the province area (.67 X 591,670 = 396,419 kms) Then double the harvest to 36,000 - as that is the goal of the province apparently.
That equates to removing one coyote per 11 kms. Still spit in the ocean; one litter will more than replace that loss.

Those numbers are why I believe one would have to kill a lot more coyotes to make a real difference in their population. Wildlife biologists also are skeptical about the ability of culling programs to make any real difference. Plus, as long as coyote food is around, they will breed their numbers back up to whatever the resources will support very quickly.

The coyote culling idea has been around and tried in various places for a long time, there are now more coyotes. Guys can have a day or weekend in the woods and have at them, but I really believe they are kidding themselves if they think it makes a substancial difference.
Dave.

 

[Egon]

Ah, just wait till the Saskatchewan dwellers get going.

 

[dave1949]

Ah, just wait till the Saskatchewan dwellers get going.

Hey, I wish them luck I'll bet it gets harder and harder to find the coyotes the longer they are hunted in the same area - and not because they are all dead either Are traps allowed?
Dave.

 

[Ray2210]

Well coyotes are getting very brave around here. Perhaps the packs that survive will teach their young that humans are bad and its good to keep their distance. We have them here that have no fear at all and by all accounts bordering on aggression and worse. I'm not big on killing anything but I'm ready to get a rifle and start shooting them myself.

Around populated areas there are a lot of deer and a lot of road kill. It's easy eating for the coyotes and they are fat, healthy and breeding like rabbits. You should see the deer here. I saw 10 this morning on the way to work in the first 1/4 mile. The only thing unusual about that is that none appeared to be in my yard.

 

[Thomas]

Yikes..and there still the ones which got away.

 

[Jstpssng]

Morning Egon,

I noticed about the northern third is pretty sparse, especially to the northeast and thought about that and coyote density. I wouldn't be surprised if the coyote density is higher in the populated areas. There will be more coyotes killed near population centers too I bet. In the end, it is all relative. I don't mean to imply the coyote population is evenly distributed.

If I deduct 33% of the province area (.67 X 591,670 = 396,419 kms) Then double the harvest to 36,000 - as that is the goal of the province apparently.
That equates to removing one coyote per 11 kms. Still spit in the ocean; one litter will more than replace that loss.

Those numbers are why I believe one would have to kill a lot more coyotes to make a real difference in their population. Wildlife biologists also are skeptical about the ability of culling programs to make any real difference. Plus, as long as coyote food is around, they will breed their numbers back up to whatever the resources will support very quickly.

The coyote culling idea has been around and tried in various places for a long time, there are now more coyotes. Guys can have a day or weekend in the woods and have at them, but I really believe they are kidding themselves if they think it makes a substancial difference.
Dave.

i understand and agree with what you're saying; however, the timing is also critical. In spring and summer they have an easy time hunting small game; in winter the young is grown and can do more damage.

I don't know if you ever read "Northwoods Sporting Journal", but Bob Noonan just had an article about them; he indicated that it takes 3-4 coyotes to bring down a deer, so if you just take 1 out of the pack you may save a few lives. Maine Fish and Wildlife estimates that each coyote accounts for 8 deer.

Incidently, about a month ago I had a doe show up on my property; it walked 10 feet from my house, sometime between 8:00 AM when I left on my sled, and 2 hours later when I came back. It hung around for about a week so i dropped a couple cedar trees to help it through the winter; that night I heard coyotes howling. It was Sunday night and a game warden lives 1/2 mile away from me, so my hands were tied. I did go for a sled ride but couldn't find them; and that deer hasn't been back. I do like hearing coyotes sound off; but I also like taking a deer once in a while. I've walked several deer yards this winter; nice habitat, but not a deer track to be seen.

Until we can implement the snaring program again, the deer herd in this neck of the woods is never going to recover.