Tips for a hunting noob

[helomech]

Look at this nasty thing my 12 year old shot last weekend.

[Sparrow]

My favourite book(s) that have hunting as a side line are: The earth Children's Series by Auel.

> Earth's Children - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clan of the Cave Bear, Valley of the Horses, Mammoth Hunters etc ...

These books are particularly great for women as the main character is a woman. Amazing, amazing books.

[Sparrow]

I don't like that picture of the dead coyote at all. I would never kill them, unless they were a threat, which they aren't around here at all. They are small and look so much like a dog ... I don't see any reason to kill them, kind of a waste of time around here (now this is not commenting on places where wild game might be over run by them and a problem - I am commenting on the situation here in NB Canada where they aren't a problem at all).

[helomech]

I don't like that picture of the dead coyote at all. I would never kill them, unless they were a threat, which they aren't around here at all. They are small and look so much like a dog ... I don't see any reason to kill them, kind of a waste of time around here (now this is not commenting on places where wild game might be over run by them and a problem - I am commenting on the situation here in Canada where they aren't a problem at all).

We kill everyone that we lay eyes on. Same thing for bobcats, and hogs.

And if you look at the picture, you could see my son actually did it a favor. That thing was nasty.

[Grumpy Old Man]

The coyotes have become such a problem over in Orange County (The O.C.) that some towns (I think it is Laguna Niguel) have hired hunters to come in and get the population under control. Pets are being lost to the packs with regularity, and small children might be enticing to coyotes as well. They have also interbred with feral dogs and wolves up north to produce a "super coyote". They are the most adaptable of the canine family and as such there are a lot more of them around than you might think. Much like mountain lions here; people don't see them so they thought they were endangered and stopped the hunting season. We lose a few joggers/mountain bikers/ treehuggers to them around here every year. Go Cats!!

[Sparrow]

That was it just killed? If so, that is very sad it look very malnourished and sickly! I am curious as to what state that is, and is all the wildlife in a sorry state like that?! I'm not used to seeing something like that. Just the other day my rottie was freaking-out barking at a huge moose! Boy that moose looked huge and healthy! And running fast from the barks!

My rottie and I see their scat all the time when we go for hikes, then he pees on it. I've only seen one once as it ran down my drive all nice, healthy and fluffy good winter coat - late last fall.

[Sparrow]

The coyotes have become such a problem over in Orange County (The O.C.) that some towns (I think it is Laguna Niguel) have hired hunters to come in and get the population under control. Pets are being lost to the packs with regularity, and small children might be enticing to coyotes as well. They have also interbred with feral dogs and wolves up north to produce a "super coyote". They are the most adaptable of the canine family and as such there are a lot more of them around than you might think. Much like mountain lions here; people don't see them so they thought they were endangered and stopped the hunting season. We lose a few joggers/mountain bikers/ treehuggers to them around here every year. Go Cats!!

Makes sense to me, no winter to keep populations in check! Oh another reason to love Canada: Oh Canada, my home and native land ...

[Sniper-T]

Sparrow... please don't portray your opinions as gospel, and please don't speak for others. (here in Canada where they aren't a problem at all) I too am from Canada, In Manitoba to be vague, and we have such a problem with coyotes that there is an open season on them, and many munincipalities do offer bounties on them. If you read the national news there is something almost everyday about the problems these animals are creating. In the last month alone I have killed 8 of them, and yet my nextdoor neighbour just lost 4 pet peacocks to them, and another neighbour down the road lost 2 dogs. Coyotes pack up, and a single one will lure a family pet out into a field or onto the road where the pack will kill and eat it.

A co-worker has already lost 3 calves this year, and her neighbour has lost 6 sheep... and yes... around here, they are wreaking havok on the deer populations as well as the rabbit and prairie chicken populations.

If you dislike pictures of dead animals, perhaps you should avoid the hunting thread in the forum??

What part of Canada are you in?

[Sparrow]

Yes it was only dead about 2 minutes when that pic was taken. We are in a bad drought, so we are seeing a lot more of these nasty yotes.

I just read this website: Problem Wildlife | Wildlife & Ecosystem Protection — Conservation | Province of Manitoba

It seems there is a problem with coyotes having disease and mange. That one looked really sickly! If you have pets at home I would suggest washing well if you touched it so they don't get mange or sick.

And for Sniper, I'm sorry to be a bit touchy . But here is a list for you from the above website for Manitoba:

Reducing Coyote Problems

Do not feed coyotes or any other wildlife, especially near human habitation.
Keep all garbage in plastic or metal containers with lids tightly secured.
Keep children under close supervision while they are outside.
Bring pet food inside a secure location every night or, better yet, feed your pet indoors.
Keep pets inside at night and under close supervision while they are outside during the day.
Avoid close contact with any wild animal or wild animal feces to prevent exposure to disease or parasites, and ensure your pet's vaccinations are up to date.
Coyotes may be trapped during an open season using approved humane traps and trapping techniques. See the annual Manitoba Trapping Guide for more information.
Coyotes can also be removed by a homeowner at anytime in defence of private property or to protect personal safety on land that they own (but not Crown land). Property owners may also use the services of another individual, such as a licenced trapper, to address a particular problem coyote on their property.

Those traps sound like a good idea, and less work. Here in NB they aren't a problem at all. Also their scat contains small bones and fur proving them to be FANTASTIC vermin control. Also, your open season seems pretty short and not during summer breeding months. I'd be most concerned with keeping the diseased ones away from my pets and livestock then anything else.

But still, I stand by my original statement that in comparison, Canada does not have the same problem with Coyotes that the USA does!

[Sparrow]

One last thing. If I had a coyote problem, and no big dog. I'd get a big dog.

A big dog of the working/ herd guardian type would do wonders in keeping coyotes and other unwanted wildlife away. Mine goes around the property marking it with his pee every day ... the only thing that came on the property this year was a gopher in the garden ... and he ran scared when my rottie barked (he's chained so he can't chase or wonder).

Here there are bears, moose, deer, coyotes, gophers, rabbits, racoons, etc ... and no problems because of my big dog!