Another re-affirmation from SUNY New York Coyote Biologist Jacqueline Frair to the Erie County NY Sportsman Federation that it is a misconception that coyotes regularly take down healthy deer............. Her recent coyote research study determined that of the many deer carcasses fed upon by coyotes, all but three were scavenged. Of the three deer that were alive when the coyotes killed them, all three were "walking dead" or wounded and dying a slow death. Necropsies revealed that these deer suffered from gunshot wounds or broken legs............. Also coming out of Dr. Frair's research is that coyote numbers rebound in response to killing and that killing more coyotes year round would result in larger coyote populations, as reaffirmed by numerous other studies from around the USA and Canada over a span of many years....The NY Department of Conservation which is responsible for establishing hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for all fur bearing animals in the State agreed 100% with "Dr. J's findings!!!!............. The bottom line is that the key factor that controls predator populations is the availability of their prey base

Coyote issue gets public spotlight

The OBSERVER

:

Thanks to outdoor writer, Gene Pauszek, I was informed of and attended the seminar on eastern coyotes in New York state by Jacqueline L. Frair, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology from SUNY Environment Science and Forestry. The Armor Fire Hall in Hamburg held a standing-room only crowd for this event sponsored by the Erie County Sportsman's Federation.
Dr. Frair was commissioned by the New York state DEC to study the effect of coyotes on the deer population. Deer kills were examined and video cameras were placed at numerous den sites throughout our state to hopefully record the numbers of fawns being dragged to the dens. Interestingly, not a single fawn or domestic pet was brought back to a coyote den, dispelling the popular myth of coyote dens being littered with fawn heads and/ or dog collars.
A misconception that coyotes take down healthy deer was also dispelled. Of the many deer carcasses fed upon by coyotes that were examined, all but three were scavenged. Of the three deer that were alive when the coyotes killed them, all three were "walking dead" or wounded and dying a slow death. Necropsies revealed that these deer suffered from gunshot wounds or broken legs.
Of all of the coyote scat examined in this study, less than 1 percent was of domestic animals, including cats, dogs and livestock. Interviews with the farmers showed the livestock had been scavenged.
Questions were raised both to Dr. Frair and the DEC Officers, asking if a year round hunting season would help control coyote numbers. Dr. Frair's response was that coyote numbers rebound in response to killing and that killing more year round would result in higher numbers, as shown by studies and a long history, the DEC agreed. The only factor that controls predator populations is the availability of prey.
Thank you, Mr. Pauszek, for informing us of this wonderful free program and making us all better outdoorsmen!
J.N. MEREDITH,
Buffalo