Benefits of coyote hunting

[sherman123]

I am asking this as someone who will openly admit to knowing next to nothing about the subject so was curious enough to ask on here. It is my understanding that coyote hunters generally do not keep the meat and will only keep the pelt if anything. There seems to be little restrictions on hunting them when I look through my state's fish and game regulations. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is coyote hunting generally promoted as good for the ecosystem or for pest control? What are the benefits that it provides? I'm sure there's probably many and I am in no way trying to criticize coyote hunting and am in fact considering it myself but basically why is it more acceptable to hunt coyotes and not keep the meat as opposed to most other game animals? With a deer for example that would be considered morally reprehensible(and rightfully so) by almost anyone in the hunting community to kill a buck or doe and then discard the meat. Thanks everyone

 

[Berserker]

Many of the people that hunt them I think are deer hunters. Maybe bird hunters too.

I just bought a .243, but so far all I have done is spend money and sight it in. I don't like them around the house since I have dogs. Though it is the wolves I worry about more.

It is different being brought up to eat meat. But as I get older I realize there is a value in varmit control.

 

[LeonCarr]

Dead coyotes don't eat livestock or wildlife.

Dead coyotes don't spread Rabies.

Yes it is possible to eat a coyote, but I personally would do it only in a life or death situation and make sure the meat was boiled for a least 10 minutes to kill any parasites since coyotes will eat dead animals.

90% of the coyotes I have shot were killed while deer or hog hunting.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Sol]

I'm not a hunter, but I would imagine people hunting coyotes do it for varmit control.

As was stated above and will probably be stated again.

I don't think many people eat dog meat.... I can only think of one person admitting to eating a dog and he's sitting in the whitehouse.

I'm sure the pelt can be used.

 

[matrem]

Anyone that has trapped mice or rats from their residence should understand how virtually all farmers, as well as a lot of hunters feel about yotes.

I've never considered eating a mouse or rat either.

 

[sherman123]

Ok thanks everyone much appreciated. I was always wondering if it's gotten to a point with them nowadays where they have become overpopulated and out of balance with the ecosystem. Considering I see them in the suburbs all the time and lost a cat to one last year.

 

[jmr40]

When you kill a mouse, rat or roach, you don't eat them unless you are starving. Coyote are in the same category and are not considered game animals in most states.

If their population ever gets low enough to have a negative effect on the ecosystem I'd support limits on killing them. Like any animal they can serve a purpose in keeping things in balance. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. Things are very out of balance right now with way too many in most places.

 

[rcmodel]

I dearly love seeing coyotes in the wild.
One of natures survivors for sure.
And a majestic smart animal.

I have killed more then I am proud of over the years.

But I've seen them suffer from mange, rabies, low food chain cycles, (starving), tics, and other bad stuff.

I would no sooner eat one then eat my pet dog after he got hit by a car!!

rc

 

[1911 guy]

Agreed with the others. While it can be fun (and often frustrating), the main purpose of hunting them is predator/pest control.

 

[cfullgraf]

Ok thanks everyone much appreciated. I was always wondering if it's gotten to a point with them nowadays where they have become overpopulated and out of balance with the ecosystem. Considering I see them in the suburbs all the time and lost a cat to one last year.

I live in rural Tennessee near Knoxville and coyotes are in our area. Fortunately, they leave us and our horses alone. If they do start hanging around, I am ready to take them on.

I'm sure the folks that hunt dear in our area do not like the coyotes.

 

[Art Eatman]

Coyotes were pretty much not present east of the Mississippi River, prior to the 20th century. Ergo, "varmints". Furry cockroaches. Rough on ground-nesting birds (think quail) and rabbits.

The reduction in ranching in many areas has these opportunists expanding their numbers into urban areas, to the detriment of pets and even, occasionally, very small children (Tucson, e.g.).

 

[TimSr]

In the east, coyotes are basically viewed as an invasive species. In the last 30 years, the populations have pretty much exploded. they have few natural enemies in the east, and they are much larger due to domestic dog genetics. Hunting has almost no impact on populations. Here they have destroyed many other small game populations, as well as taking a huger toll on the newborn deer. They compete for food with fox and bobcat. They will attack small pets and small livestock. They carry diseases that are common to your dog, which is also about the only population control for them.

Its a little different situation in the west, in how they were already there, and the food chain extends above them out there, but they do pose the same threats, and their populations seem to also be impervious to hunting.

I'm sure a few people will say they enjoy eating them, but for the most part, they aren't exactly regarded as tasty. Their winter pelts in colder climates have some value.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Rough on ground-nesting birds (think quail) and rabbits.

Add turkey to the list. Along with eating eggs, coyote will decimate the poults and occasionally take mature birds.

 

[Officers'Wife]

When it comes to coyotes, I'm kind and forgiving.
When they get in my chickens, they are tired of living.

I get 50 head of chicks every spring, in a good year I lose 10 to coyotes. That's ten meals my family doesn't get because of the filthy, disease ridden pests.

I would like to raise some mallard ducks simply because in the evening they go down the grass in a line eating every mosquito and gnat in the area. I can't because of the coyotes.

Think of rabbit, fried with corn meal breading to a golden brown with milk gravy made from the drippings to put over biscuits or mashed potatoes. If that thought gives you joy grab a rifle and start shooting the coyotes or you will never see it happen.

Coyotes are predators, unfortunately they also occupy the same niche as another predator called human beings. Nature in her maternal function sees that when two predators occupy the same niche only one will survive. My maternal function demands the survivor be my kids and not her pups.

That reminds me, I need to take my empty 32-20 brass to my brother to reload. It's time to give nature a hand in letting her take her course.

 

[sage5907]

Here in Oklahoma the State hires people whose full time job is to eliminate coyotes. In a sense coyotes are like wild hogs in that they are prolific and adapt to almost any living condition. The State shoots them on the ground and from helicopters, traps them and poisons them. They will eat almost anything including dogs and domestic cats. When the last animals on earth are counted they will be mostly coyotes. I love to hear them howl and to see them in the wild, but I don't want to see too many of them.

 

[sherman123]

Thanks again. Anyone here keep the pelts or for those who do do you only keep the winter pelts? And yes, not losing another one of my kitties is a big motivating factor in coyote hunting for me as well.

 

[Officers'Wife]

My sis in law will tan almost any hide that moves but tends to avoid coyote pelts because she claims the quality of the leather is poor.

Sage, I'm heartened to hear Oklahoma has such a pro-human policy. Kind of makes up for that Floyd character your state inflicted on us a hundred or so years ago.

 

[alsaqr]

By most estimates coyotes kill one-third to one-half of the fawns born each year in this area. Thanks to coyote hunters and the efforts of OWDC the fawn kill rate by coyotes is way down from 36 years ago.

i shoot every coyote i possibly can.

http://www.sedsg.com/abstracts_search.asp?type=keyword&DaInBox=coyote&year_cond=less&year=2012

 

[Patocazador]

I've lost 3 calves to coyotes. I hate 'em and will kill one at every opportunity I get.

 

[Berserker]

I am not against hunting them, but don't see them as cock roaches or mice. Seems a little dramatic.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I am not against hunting them, but don't see them as cock roaches or mice. Seems a little dramatic.

The cattle ranchers around me would tend to disagree with you...

 

[Double Naught Spy]

The cattle ranchers around me would tend to disagree with you...

LOL, cockroaches and mice don't kill cattle!

That coyotes kill wildlife being a concern, LOL, they have always killed wildlife. They are wildlife and part of the ecosystem. Yes, they kill deer. They always have. They also kill mice and other vermin. They kill a lot of things we don't like as well.

 

[shiftyer1]

I've lost between 50-75 chickens in the last 6 years to coyotes, I've given up on birds because of the losses. I've also lost 5 goats. And last fall they got my little house dog.......needless to say, I shoot on sight!

 

[OYE]

Coyote hunting is a huge benefit to the economy. Look at all the people it employs.
1. USFW personnel to watch dog and regulate state agencies.
2. State wildlife personnel to manage populations
3. Employees engaged in the firearms and ammunition manufacturing process and reloading equipment, gunsmiths
4. Employees engaged in the predator calling manufacturing business
5. Hunters and trappers engaged in the fur business ( often an important source
of extra income)
6. Personnel engaged in the fur trade, buyers, sellers, auction houses, furriers, retailers, and cold storage.
7. Models in all the major cities showing finished goods.
8. PETA personnel protesting and sabotaging legitimate businesses
9. Law enforcement and extra prison personnel to keep the PETA people in line and incarcerated.
10. et al

OYE

 

[Art Eatman]

Berserker, a good optometrist would be helpful.