By Glen Wunderlich
United States -(AmmoLand.com)- When a Shelby Township, MI woman let her Pomeranian mix dog outside before retiring for the night, it would be the last time she would see her family pet alive.
In another incident in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a miniature Schnauser spent his last minutes on a leash in front of his home. And, in the sanctuary of a fenced-in backyard in Hacienda Heights, California, a Papillion mix family pet met its fate.
The common denominator? Coyote attacks.
As coyote numbers have increased, so have deadly encounters in urban settings. Because of the secretive nature of coyotes, many folks are oblivious to their existence until we hear of such horrific acts of terror.
In an ongoing study of predators in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by Mississippi State University, 142 fawns were radio-collared and coyotes were found to be responsible for 26 of 53 deaths – as many as bobcats, wolves, bears, and bald eagles combined.
Coyotes are found throughout Michigan in both rural and urban areas. With an increase in complaints from the public regarding coyotes, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) believes that an expansion of the opportunities to take coyotes may help reduce these concerns.
The MDNR has recommended several coyote hunting regulation changes to the Natural Resources Commission, including year-round hunting opportunities and implementation of a Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association resolution to allow the use of #3 and #4 buckshot at night for coyotes.
The DNR held discussions with internal staff and many external stakeholders to develop recommendations to amend our state’s Wildlife Conservation Order.
The amendment would include expanding the coyote season statewide, year round, along with clarifying nighttime hunting of furbearers, and to expand the time frame in which nighttime hunting with artificial lights may occur.
The Department is also giving a recommendation to expand allowable ammunition for taking all furbearers which may be hunted at night to include both 3 and number 4 buckshot.
Michigan’s current coyote regulations include daytime coyote hunting from July 15th to April 15th which is a liberal season with a few minor restrictions on the methods of take, devices, and ammunition. The current season for nighttime coyote hunting is from October 15th to March 31st. However, the nighttime coyote hunting season is a restricted season with limited methods of take, devices and ammunition. Individuals must possess a fur-harvester or resident base license. Throughout the entire year, individuals may take a coyote on private property if the coyote is causing or about to cause damage.
Several other proposed resolutions by MUCC that would not become MUCC policy unless adopted at its Annual Convention are as follows:
- Coyote Bounty (Straits Area Sportsmens Club) | Reverse MUCC’s opposition to bounties and institute a coyote bounty.
- Nighttime Predator Hunting with Centerfire Firearms (Chris Kettler, Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association) | Remove restriction on using centerfire firearms for nighttime predator hunting.
Any type of coyote control is difficult but removing some of the encumbrances to willing sportsmen may be the best option available to wildlife managers.
It’s past time that we quit protecting the varmints that are helping to reduce our declining deer herd.
About Glen Wunderlich:
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). Outdoor writer and columnist for The Argus-Press (www.argus-press.com) and blog site at www.thinkingafield.org Member National Rifle Association (NRA), Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), member U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Commemorative Bucks of Michigan (CBM).
I thought DNR frowned on centerfire riflles at night due to potential deer poaching,myself. Which makes no sense at all. A poacher is going to poach , regardless of the law ,obviosley. Maybe close it during rifle deer season, because of artificial lights . The rest of the year should be open like many other states. Coyote hunters are out there doing just that. Hunting coyotes ! Why not allow them to have the proper rifle and ammunition to get the job done ? We have a problem here in Michigan. Allow the hunters to do what they can to… Read more »
There is a coyote problem in my area. St. Clair County MI. The have killed pets, cats and dogs., In daylight too. So far they took the.Neighbors ducks &, tried to kill neighbors calf. One of the neighbors indoor cats got out only one night never to be seen again, same place the ducks went missing. Hearing them all the time. They have been here for years, but recently they are hunting peoples animals. My brother often see`s them when he walks his dog in the city of Sterling Heights. Hardly ever see rabbits for the last couple of years,… Read more »
Which is why as responsible Predator Hunters, our group, Michigan Predator Hunters for Centerfire At Night, went about putting in Freedom of Information Act requests to Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and illinoise in order to receive data for any and all personal injury or property damage reports available , going as far back as 25 years inwhich centerfire at night has been allowed in those states, and act in a responsible manner. The results of those studies was that there have been zero incidents involving Centerfire at night or DURING the day as far back as all four states have kept… Read more »
I love hunting coyotes ,they are a very cleaver animail and interesting .I would go to Michigan in a heart beat if they would out a bounty on the coyote at least enough to cover expence , I can hunt coyotes in daylight and do it well infact I never hunt them at night night time is for sleeping in my book .
The only thing that concerns me about center fire ammo at night is the inability to seethe backdrop and small obstructions in front of the target animal. These can cause ricochets, these can travel a long distance and leed to property and livestock damage. 22mag and 17 cal is good out to 100 yards at night so options are out there . I use frangible ammo in day time for yotes to stop ricochet. It has helped me get permission in semi rural areas. All this being said I think bounties are needed cause the pelts only have value during… Read more »
Jorge, ojala con la misma intensidad se ocuparan de eliminar las escorias de dos patas….pero seguro tu estas por sus derechos!!! Ademas, solo una mujer estupida dejaria su perrillo afuera en la noche!!!
or
I wish that with the same diligence they will think about plans to control the two legged pest, meaning rapist, sex traffickers, child molesters and that kind of things…. Plus who in their right mind would leave a little dog outside in the night!!!!
MUY BUENA INICIATIVA DE LAS AUTORIDADES,ES EL COMBATIR A LAS ALIMAÑAS,QUE MATAN AL GANADO Y
OCASIONAN PÉRDIDAS INCALCULABLES EN LAS ECONOMÍAS DE GRANJEROS,ADEMÁS DE SER VECTORES DE ENFERMEDADES TRANSMISIBLES AL HOMBRE,Y LA PRIMERA DE ELLAS ES LA RABIA,QUE TIENE UN TRA MITE Y UN FINAL TERRIBLE.EFECTIVAMENTE CREO QUE SI SE SUPRIMEN O SE ABARATAN LOS GRAVÁMENES PARA LOS CAZADORES,SE PUEDE CONTROLAR ESTE PROBLEMA DE UNA FORMA EFECTIVA Y DURADERA