Eastern Coyote Institute: November 2009

Coyote Questions Answered

Project Coyote
Project Coyote promotes educated coexistence between people and coyotes by championing progressive management policies and fostering respect for and understanding of America's native wild "song dog." Eastern Coyote Institute is not affilitated in any way with Project Coyote.
What Can You Do Right Now to Stop this Abuse?
Many people are asking the Eastern Coyote Institute how they can stop the sadistic abuse of our wildlife. Here is how: Write to the people below and tell them you want hunting coyotes with dogs in New York stopped, bag limits imposed on fox, coyote and crows and relaying dogs chasing coyotes stopped effective immediately. It will just take a few minutes. Write: Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, Chair, Environmental Conservation Committee, NYS Assembly, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248 Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver,c/o Dean Fuleihan, NYS Assembly, State Capitol Bldg. Albany , NY 12248 Terri Kleinman and David Lenahan, NYS Assembly Program an d Counsel, room 520, State Capitol Bldg. AlbanyNY 12248 Senator Antoine Thompson, Chairman, Senate Env. Cons. Committee, NYS Senate, LOB, Albany NY 12247 Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, NYS Senate, LOB, Alba. NY 12247 Governor Paterson, c/o Judith Enck, Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany NY 12224
Predator Defense Organization
An Important Letter about Coyotes from Robert Crabtree
This letter by one of the leading coyote biologists in the world explains why killing coyotes does not control their population
Is Man Supposed to Control Predator Populations?
No. Man has really screwed up a lot of balances in ecosystems! A predators role is to control prey populations, and that is important so that prey don't over graze land and destroy their own food sources. Predators aren't supposed to control other predators, Nature doesn't work that way. Man has quite an ego and has misunderstood and abused his of "dominion over animals" . No doubt, his "dominion over animals" should be taken away.
Did Biologists Release Cougars to Control the Coyote Population?
No. C'Mon, do you really believe this stuff? A little knowledge of cougar and coyote biology as well as Federal Law will answer this one for you. Cougars have no interest in killing coyotes, and in fact are easily treed by any member of the canine species. Any legitimate (the key word here) cougar sightings are no doubt the occasional released exotic pet.
Were Coyotes deliberately released in the Eastern States?
NO. Some people actually believe that the conservation agencies stocked coyotes in the Eastern states to control the deer population. We already know that coyotes can not control the deer population and there are more deer and turkey than ever, so why would they have to? Coyotes naturally expanded their range, coming into New England through Maine and New York. they have been around isnce at least the early 1920's. Some scientists believe they have been here all along, since remains have been found in certain archeological finds.
Will Coyotes Cause Prey Species to Become Extinct?
NO. A smart predator would NEVER kill all his prey. Coyotes are a smart predator and have never been ersponsible for killing oof a species. Man however, is a different story. Since Man has walked the earth, they have directly caused the extinction and extirpation of millions of species of plants and animals.
Do Coyotes Kill Domestic Cats and Dogs?
Sure. So do cars, diseases, neighbors guns, owls, domestic dogs, poisons, traps, snares and over crowded shelters. If you allow your cats and dogs to roam freely something bad IS going to happen to them. Dogs and Cats kill plenty of wildlife on their own too. It is easy to blame the coyotes when your pet comes up missing, but face the facts here. Keep your animals near you and in the home and they will live a long healthy life.
Do Coyotes Control Deer Populations?
Not according to Deer Biologists. Ken Koerth, noted deer biologist is quoted in Whitetail Magazine as saying that "coyotes normally can't control deer populations on their own". Many deer hunters are disappointed when they return home empty handed and find it easier to blame coyotes than themselves. Ask the home owners in the suburbs if there are not enough deer... Ask the Auto Insurance Agents what they think too...
What are the Coyote Bite and Death Statistics
Did you know that there are only two human deaths attributed to a coyote attack in recorded history? The latest death of a young musician is still being investigated. Compare to the 15 - 20 deaths per year attributed to domestic dog attacks. Coyote bites that require hospitalization are extremely rare and of course, newsworth because of their rarity. Compare this to the roughly 1,000 domestic dog bites per day treated in USA emergency rooms! Coyote attacks are clearly not a realistic threat- but domestic dog attacks ARE. Nearly all coyote attacks can be attributed to humans feeding coyotes, either knowlingly, or through carelessness. Don't feed the coyotes.
Do Coyotes Decrease Turkey Populations?
NO. Disease can wipe out an entire flock of birds. Coyotes prey on the slowest, weakest birds. It is these birds that are likely coming down with a virus that could potentially wipe out the entire flock. Studies show that the Wild Turkey Population in New England is larger and stronger than ever - Thanks to coyotes!
Does Killing Coyotes Control Their Population?
FACT: NO! Did you know that when coyotes are killed it stimulates population growth through larger litters, stronger pups and more breeding females in an area? The only thing that controls the population of coyotes is the amount of available prey. Hunting and trapping causes MORE coyotes the following year!

November 02, 2009

Coyote Hunting in New York started October 1 and will go through March 28th, 2010. The dogs wear GPS trackers so that the hunters can locate them and intercept at the point the coyote is going to run out so they can drop fresh dogs, or take a shot to try to wound the coyote so the dogs can catch it and tear it apart while it is still alive. At this point, it is only legal because the average person is simply unaware that it is going on. There is no bag limit, meaning the hunters can kill as many coyotes this way as they wish. It is a horrible way for any living thing to die, and if Pit Bull fighting is cruel and illegal, then this should also be classified as cruel and illegal. If this was done to deer or domestic dogs, or any other living thing, there would be mass public outcry. Coyotes are living, breathing , intelligent animals who play a very important role as a predator. They deserve protection from being killed this way.

If you see pickup trucks with dog boxes such as the ones pictures above, parked along the side of the road, then it is very possible that there are coyote hunters hunting in the area. If your property is nearby, then there is a good chance that they are going to use your property too. The hunters are difficult to catch and they know this because they have often moved to another spot by the time you realize what is going on. The important thing to do is take down all of the license plate numbers and description of the vehicles. If you know they crossed your property, call the State Troopers and file a complaint. The fact that they say their "dogs can't read" or "can't control where they run" is not an excuse. They are trespassing and so are their dogs. They will be back again. Law enforcement officers report that despite that there are far less coyote hunters than there are deer hunters, they get far more complaints on coyote hunters.

Click here download Wp9lR6A4_c0 to watch a short video of how the coyote hunters are using your land

Then, view the video below to get another taste of the mentality of the hunters...

Download Montana Coyote Hunting_1

POST YOUR LAND AND CALL STATE TROOPERS IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR LAND IS BEING USED BY HUNTERS WHO DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION . YOU HAVE RIGHTS, EVEN IF THE COYOTES HAVE NONE. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR WILDLIFE