By Chris Schadler
Coyotes aren’t going away anytime soon. In fact, they are here to stay, despite our lethal control; despite the 365 days a year they can be killed; despite the night hunting during their mating season (which is now, Jan to March). Despite the fact that even when other furbearers are provided an “off season” from hunting to whelp and wean their young, (such as red and gray fox, fisher, bear) coyotes are not provided the same. The bias against this creature is deep and persistent, fed by the myth that coyotes “must be controlled” to keep their population in check.
Here is the scientific truth: Coyotes, when NOT hunted, stabilize their own population. Coyotes, when hunted, respond reproductively by increasing their numbers. There is no debate about this. Coyotes cannot be controlled. Period.
So, right now, pairs that mate for life mate for one week during their January to March mating season. Yearlings may find a mate, too, and like all dogs, once conception occurs, 63 days later they give birth.
HB 1100 provides 5 months of necessary time for birthing, weaning (at 7 weeks or so) and relocating pups to safety on territory where they are fed by pack members, learn the bounds of their territory and what their natural prey is.
Why should we care about this? Because we all live within the territory of a pack of coyotes; because maybe you own small dogs or have small children and you worry about their safety; maybe you are a farmer and are aware coyotes may harm livestock. If pups are raised properly by parents, studies show they are more likely to eat natural prey.
As a former sheep owner and mother, I learned how to live with coyotes, keep my dogs and kids safe and we never had a problem with coyotes. Learn about their life cycle and you will be prepared to live with them too. Go to www.projectcoyote.org, or www.nhwildlifecoalition.org to become informed by science, not by the hysteria of myth.
HB 1100 is fair, humane and pragmatic. Please consider this and vote to support its passage.
Schadler is the NH and VT Representative for Project
Coyote, a national organization promoting coexistence with coyotes.
Chris co-founded the NH Wildlife Coalition, is a founding member of
the North East Wolf Recovery Alliance and also Chairs the Webster
Conservation Commission.