I am a firm believer of only harvesting game that can provide food to people who enjoy eating wild game. Deer I harvest is a food source that feeds my family all year. When I fish, I release all bass I catch back to the lake. I will take a mess of crappie, catfish, or sauger home for a fish fry. I frown on filling the freezer with fish if they’re not being eaten.

I had a reader e-mail me and ask, “why I hunt coyotes if they are no good for food.”

Being an avid outdoorsman, I see the predator/ prey swing out of balance in some areas. When you have a cold winter, you lose a number of the predators due to lack of food. During winters like we have experienced in 2011, the winter has been kind to our wildlife. As the population of coyotes increases, you will see a decrease in rabbits and whitetail deer fawns that survive the summer. If this balance goes unchecked the decrease of prey animals will be a concern of hunters.

“Landowners allow hunters to reduce the population of coyotes in an effort to protect livestock and native wildlife to the area like rabbits and squirrels.”

Other methods of harvesting heavy populated areas with coyotes is trapping . Trapping in urban areas, where people have pets roaming is a risky task. Trappers are liable for their actions and must not harm domestic dogs and cats. This predator has adapted well to the environment they call home. The coyotes do feed on mice and rats, which are a benefit to everyone.

The problem biologists are encountering is the coyotes may be cross-breading with wild, stray dogs. This is the reason for the much larger size and the lack of fear of humans. I have a Labrador that frequently runs out, and I have a fear she will get attacked by these coyotes. So I’ve got these bad boys at the top of my list. Predator hunters are usually good marksmen, who can take shots up to 500 yards. The hunter uses a variety of calls to lure in the keen animal for a one shot/ one kill opportunity. If you have an abundance of coyotes and would like them removed by hunting contact the: The Valley Star @ tvsdrj@gmail.com