Undesirable Fish Versus Undesirable Predators

Tom, when you get the answer to that question, please share it with some of these yo-yos in California.

Between coyotes (minimal but important impact) and mountain lions (BIG impact), the Sierra mule deer herd is taking a beating. Deer populations in other parts of the state are also suffering, but I don’t think any are as hard hit as those in the Sierra (DFG biologists could correct me here… that’s cool).

We know of several clear and obvious reasons for the decline. Some, such as habitat encroachment aren’t likely to change. Too many people, not enough real estate… that’s true everywhere. Others, such as unsustainable forestry management (read, Logging Bans) are creating poor habitat in the environment that hasn’t been paved over for subdivisions. This is reparable, but it’s gonna take a lot of bashing heads with the enviros to get it fixed.

But then there’s the problem of unchecked mountain lions. Protected by politics, these animals are out of the reach of the Department of Fish and Game unless they are preying on domestic animals or presenting a direct threat to humans. As a result, they’re chowing down on the deer and other prey animals. Good luck finding a porcupine in the Sierra any more. And deer are well on the way to the same fate.

At the same time, the State can come in and poison entire lakes to eradicate a predatory species (just like your case in Maine). It makes no sense.

At least we’re able to kill as many coyotes as we can shoot.

Many states can shoot as many yotes as they can but isn’t that kind of like asking fishermen to catch out all the crap fish one catch at a time?

I think the answer lies in another question.

“To whom is is not acceptable?”

I don’t really care if you kill all the coyotes, EVERY WHERE.

Tom,

As if declining deer numbers due to predation and urban sprawl, the tree huggers(RESTORE: The North Woods, roxanne quimby, et al) want to introduce wolves in the state and ban hunting, amongst other things, and essentially fence ME in. Deer herds will be decimated as well as other small game animals, partridge and rabbits, that people like me pay good money to hunt and contribute to the economy in the state. I am not a resident of Maine so license fees are high but its a cost that I do not mind paying as I like to think it goes to a good cause. I am getting away from the main point but I think you get the idea.

Coyotes are a nuissance anywhere you go and they are just getting worse as they are experts in adaptation to the environments they are inhabiting. I live in MA and they are rapidly causing problems here with killing domesticated animals and attcking children. It seems incomprehensible to me that biologists will poison thousands of “useless” fish but do nothing to control a burgeoning coyote population that erradicates many small animals that sportmen like me hunt passionately, call me selfish but it makes no sense. These animals need to be controlled and killed immediately for game animals of Miane to thrive otherwise they will keep reproducing and causing more problems.

As a rabid outdoors person who loves the great State of Maine, we need to unite on a few fronts; coyote control, land use, banning roxanne and not fencing ME in! If she has her way,deer herds be wiped out not only by coyotes but by wolves, who will eliminate everything and then we will be back at this same juncture to bring back the whitetail, bear and moose, never mind rabbits, partiridge, woodcock, lynx, etc. because the predators will be uncontrollable. Keep poisoning the fish, they are causing a real problem with the deer herd!

Tom D. – You bring up a good point about coyotes and public safety, which raises another good question. How many fish do you know of that have been poisoned are a threat to attack our domestic animals as well as our children?