Farm Horizons • April 3 , 2017
• Page 6
While their numbers have remained constant , coyotes have often been held responsible for the decline of other wildlife populations . Stangel , however , said this belief is another misconception , and that “ many other factors are to blame for the decline in some populations .”
“ Typically
, the answer is tied to habitat ,” he added . According to 2015 Trapper Harvest Statistics , coyotes and red foxes have an inverse relationship when it comes to harvest count and , therefore , population size .
During the 1980s , widespread logging and fire activity within Minnesota forged a better environment for small mammals , which also attracted their predators .
Before coyotes moved into the area , there was an abundance of red foxes . Because these animals have smaller territories than coyotes , more of them would inhabit a given area , thus creating more predators in that region . Since coyotes have larger home ranges , Stangel explained there are physically fewer of them on the land- scape .
Even though a coyote ’ s presence can mean fewer predators in an area , many Minnesota residents would still like to be rid of their coyote neighbor . Netland said it is important to consider whether the predator has actually caused any problems before choosing to remove it . He explained that exterminating a non-troublesome coyote could cause a more aggressive one to move into the territory , thus creating more serious damage .
Stock photo
The coyote mating season runs from January through February , with about five to seven pups being born in April . They will start learning to hunt when they are eight to 12 weeks old , and will search for their own territories by autumn or mid-winter .
He also stated it is more likely for a free-range chicken to be attacked by hawks , owls , raccoons , skunks , weasels , or minks than by a coyote .
If a coyote is causing problems , the situation needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis by property owners or tenants . The MN DNR does not trap , shoot , or relocate coyotes . •