SongDoghunter
04-30-2010, 08:15 PM
Considerations for Addressing Coyote Issues in North Carolina
Submitted to the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Removal
April 16, 2010
The WRC commends the work of the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Removal
and greatly appreciates the opportunity to provide comments to the committee. WRC staff
reviewed existing regulations, data and general species information within the context of meeting
the committee’s objective of reducing threats presented by coyote populations in North Carolina.
Our comments include general recommendations focused on outreach and education as well as
potential future statutory or rule changes.
Outreach and Education
Many human and coyote conflicts in suburban and rural environments can be avoided through
actions that can be communicated through enhanced public awareness. Often, conflict avoidance
requires preventative actions that modify coyote behavior before an animal becomes habituated
to humans or livestock. Avoidance strategies that include aggressive use of hazing devices and
elimination of environmental attractants such as human-associated food sources can prevent
conflict escalation that may ultimately lead to livestock depredation and interactions that induce
legitimate public health or safety concerns.
Recommended Action: Enhance Effectiveness of Existing Education and Outreach Tools
• WRC Website Redesign
o Improve navigation to key information
o Add features such as mobile device compatibility, step-by-step technical
guidance, videos, and improved downloadable information
o Provide a “single stop” experience for concerned citizens where they can be
linked to services and information provided by partner organizations such as the
North Carolina Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Wildlife Services, and North Carolina Farm Bureau
• Integrate other communication strategies including brochures, media kits and workshops
into education and outreach strategies
• Identify complimentary technical guidance services between agencies
Hunting and Trapping
The vast majority of coyotes do not prey upon livestock; however, if a coyote learns to prey on
young livestock, depredation can become a problem. When this occurs, removal of the offending
coyote is often recommended; however, when coyotes are observed in the vicinity of farms and
there is no depredation, the resident coyote may actually be an asset to the farm by removing
rodents and preventing problem coyotes from moving into the area. In North Carolina there is no
closed hunting season for coyotes. They also may be taken by trapping during the fur-bearer
trapping season established by the WRC or during fox trapping seasons established by the WRC
or by local law or statute. Preventive measures such as proper disposal of livestock carcasses, use
of guard animals, keeping expectant animals and newborns in confinement or using electric
fences can deter coyotes.
When aggressive behavior in a coyote develops, lethal removal methods such as trapping and
hunting provide the best means of removing the offending animal while instilling fear of humans
in other coyotes remaining in the immediate vicinity. Carefully executed trapping in areas
frequented by offending coyotes can re-instill fear. It is impractical and unnecessary to attempt
complete eradication.
Recommended Action: Unpublished WRC data indicate that take of coyotes by trappers
increases in overlapping coyote and fox trapping seasons. In counties with no fox trapping
season, trappers must release any foxes taken incidentally in a coyote trap; many trappers
choose not to trap coyote in these counties due to this restriction. The existing statutory
framework regulating fox hunting and trapping reflects a carefully negotiated framework
representing a wide range of perspectives and interests. Nevertheless, this framework was
negotiated without consideration and prioritization of present day coyote management
objectives. Thus, the WRC proposes to convene a stakeholder meeting consisting of fox hunters,
fox trappers, controlled fox hunting preserve operators and farmers and landowners to examine
ideas, including statutory and rule changes, to increase fox hunting and trapping opportunities
that may in turn increase the take of coyotes.
Submitted to the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Removal
April 16, 2010
The WRC commends the work of the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Removal
and greatly appreciates the opportunity to provide comments to the committee. WRC staff
reviewed existing regulations, data and general species information within the context of meeting
the committee’s objective of reducing threats presented by coyote populations in North Carolina.
Our comments include general recommendations focused on outreach and education as well as
potential future statutory or rule changes.
Outreach and Education
Many human and coyote conflicts in suburban and rural environments can be avoided through
actions that can be communicated through enhanced public awareness. Often, conflict avoidance
requires preventative actions that modify coyote behavior before an animal becomes habituated
to humans or livestock. Avoidance strategies that include aggressive use of hazing devices and
elimination of environmental attractants such as human-associated food sources can prevent
conflict escalation that may ultimately lead to livestock depredation and interactions that induce
legitimate public health or safety concerns.
Recommended Action: Enhance Effectiveness of Existing Education and Outreach Tools
• WRC Website Redesign
o Improve navigation to key information
o Add features such as mobile device compatibility, step-by-step technical
guidance, videos, and improved downloadable information
o Provide a “single stop” experience for concerned citizens where they can be
linked to services and information provided by partner organizations such as the
North Carolina Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Wildlife Services, and North Carolina Farm Bureau
• Integrate other communication strategies including brochures, media kits and workshops
into education and outreach strategies
• Identify complimentary technical guidance services between agencies
Hunting and Trapping
The vast majority of coyotes do not prey upon livestock; however, if a coyote learns to prey on
young livestock, depredation can become a problem. When this occurs, removal of the offending
coyote is often recommended; however, when coyotes are observed in the vicinity of farms and
there is no depredation, the resident coyote may actually be an asset to the farm by removing
rodents and preventing problem coyotes from moving into the area. In North Carolina there is no
closed hunting season for coyotes. They also may be taken by trapping during the fur-bearer
trapping season established by the WRC or during fox trapping seasons established by the WRC
or by local law or statute. Preventive measures such as proper disposal of livestock carcasses, use
of guard animals, keeping expectant animals and newborns in confinement or using electric
fences can deter coyotes.
When aggressive behavior in a coyote develops, lethal removal methods such as trapping and
hunting provide the best means of removing the offending animal while instilling fear of humans
in other coyotes remaining in the immediate vicinity. Carefully executed trapping in areas
frequented by offending coyotes can re-instill fear. It is impractical and unnecessary to attempt
complete eradication.
Recommended Action: Unpublished WRC data indicate that take of coyotes by trappers
increases in overlapping coyote and fox trapping seasons. In counties with no fox trapping
season, trappers must release any foxes taken incidentally in a coyote trap; many trappers
choose not to trap coyote in these counties due to this restriction. The existing statutory
framework regulating fox hunting and trapping reflects a carefully negotiated framework
representing a wide range of perspectives and interests. Nevertheless, this framework was
negotiated without consideration and prioritization of present day coyote management
objectives. Thus, the WRC proposes to convene a stakeholder meeting consisting of fox hunters,
fox trappers, controlled fox hunting preserve operators and farmers and landowners to examine
ideas, including statutory and rule changes, to increase fox hunting and trapping opportunities
that may in turn increase the take of coyotes.