Georgia DNR looks to curb coyote population with prizes for deadly force coyote killings (Atlanta: credit, neighborhood)

[Born 2 Roll]

The Georgia DNR (Department of Natural Resources) announced this month that it is bringing back the Coyote Challenge program that offers prizes to Georgia residents who use deadly force to kill coyotes.

Coyotes are found in large and growing numbers all over Georgia (including throughout most of Metro Atlanta) and throughout much of the nation after migrating east from their original natural habitat in the Western U.S. over a decade ago.

The Coyote Challenge runs from March through August. Georgia residents who participate in the challenge can enter one of three raffle contests to win a lifetime hunting license or the equivalent of $750 of credit for hunting and fishing licenses or a prize of similar value. Georgia residents can submit up to 10 entries with a photo of an intact coyote carcass.

Coyotes are very adaptable and can thrive in both urban and suburban environments. Because coyotes are not native to the state of Georgia, they can lawfully be hunted year-round.

Though coyote sightings are common in Metro Atlanta, direct interactions between humans and coyotes are rare. Coyote sightings and issues may be more common in a heavily-populated and developed area like Metro Atlanta than in outlying rural areas because of the significantly increased prevalence of food sources in a built-up area.

The Atlanta Coyote Project, which advocates for managing coyote populations without the use of deadly force, provides tips on how to deal with coyotes by making food sources (like trash cans) difficult to access and keeping pets indoors at night when coyotes are most likely to prey on them.

"Georgia looks to curb coyote population with prizes" (Gwinnett Daily Post)
Georgia looks to curb coyote population with prizes | News | gwinnettdailypost.com

Atlanta Coyote Project: "Scientific Research and Public Education Focused on Urban Coyote Populations"
Home - Atlanta Coyote Project

[Saintmarks]

How do you cull the population without deadly force? Invite Dr. Kervorkian to administer a peaceful, pain free injection with their pups around the bedside?


But then again I grew up in the country where you took the dog behind the barn instead of spend money on a vet....

[LTCM]

Non native invasive species. Murder them all.

[ATLTJL]

Non native invasive species. Murder them all.

So are we. And we are much worse for the environment than coyotes.

And I tend to believe this guy:

Mowry added that research shows that encouraging people to shoot coyotes increases their numbers. He explained coyote alpha males and females do the procreation and keep the subordinate coyotes in check. When more coyotes are removed from the population, nature kicks in. “Just trying to kill your way out of a perceived problem has unattended consequences,” he said. “In the case of coyotes, and other animals as well, it’s going to lead eventually to more coyotes because they will respond by producing larger litter sizes and it frees up subordinates to breed.”

The point is that coyotes pose absolutely no threat to us unless you leave your pets unattended outside, which you shouldn't do. If you have livestock, things might be a bit different...but then, just get a nice big dog that can protect the animals. Coyotes aren't that big, I would imagine they would back away from a scuffle with a large domestic farm dog.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

...


But then again I grew up in the country where you took the dog behind the barn instead of spend money on a vet....

Ooooooooh...the East Cobbettes, the Dunwoody Housewives, the Buckhead Betties, the Alpharetta Gals, and the Eastside Atlanta Coalition for Organic Wild-grown Seaweed (EATLOWS) are gon' get you!

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

But then again I grew up in the country where you took the dog behind the barn instead of spend money on a vet....

Now you are going to get me thinking about Old Yaller and getting all teary-eyed.

My concern is that I don't want a bunch of untrained yahoos shooting up the neighborhood. Why not try other wildlife management techniques?

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Now you are going to get me thinking about Old Yaller and getting all teary-eyed.

My concern is that I don't want a bunch of untrained yahoos shooting up the neighborhood. Why not try other wildlife management techniques?

This... it's unbelievable the state would think of promoting something so idiotic as to let the public run amok with fire arms attempting to use deadly force for a prize - accident missing and possibly injuring someone else.

[ATLTJL]

I bet $100,000 more than 50% of Georgians can't accurately distinguish between a coyote and a German Shepherd from a distance of more than 20 feet.

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

I bet $100,000 more than 50% of Georgians can't accurately distinguish between a coyote and a German Shepherd from a distance of more than 20 feet.

I was thinking exactly the same thing—someone’s dog is going to get shot!

[stillinthesouth]

Originally Posted by LTCM

Non native invasive species. Murder them all.

Wow...