The Rural Voice, 2019-09, Page 18 I once asked my brother-in-law, a
metal sculptor, to craft me a
weathervane. I specified a realistic-
looking coyote howling at a crescent
moon, and e-mailed him a photo.
My brother-in-law has a penchant
for artistic interpretation. What I got
looked nothing like what I requested.
On the top of our sheep barn is a
stylized coyote with a squat body,
four-foot-long neck, upturned head
with jaws agape, howling into space.
Remember the Looney Tunes
character, Wile E. Coyote, the
hapless predator who continually
schemes to catch the Road Runner
only to fail miserably every time?
My weathervane bears a striking
resemblance.
I chuckled with my brother-in-law
over the sculpture. For some Grey
County residents, however, coyotes,
and more to the point, coyote
hunters, are no laughing matter.
Many landowners have complained
about hunters with tracking dogs
fitted with GPS collars who trespass
on their property to dispatch a
cornered coyote.
I am one of them. In February
2017, while hiking with my dog on
our farm, I was startled by three
nearby gunshots. They were fired, I
later learned, a mere 150 meters
away. Suspecting trespassing
hunters, I ran to intercept them. Two
had crossed from a neighbouring
farm, following their dogs, and had
shot a coyote. One gave me his name
and I later called the Ministry of
Natural Resources (MNR). I was told
the hunter could be charged if I
would give evidence. I agreed to do
so.
The following day two MNR field
officers with a sniffer dog came to
our farm and conducted a CSI-like
forensic investigation. Evidence of
the hunters’ presence and the coyote
kill were detected. Charges were laid,
the case went to trial, and the hunter
was convicted and fined.
I was surprised to learn that the
majority of hunting-related
complaints MNR receives concern
coyote hunters. Yet few landowners
will give evidence, apparently fearful
of rocking the neighbourhood boat.
For my part, I drew no pleasure from
the entire affair. But – and the judge
agreed – hunters who disregard the
law, show no respect for private
property, and may be putting
landowners’ lives at risk, must be
held accountable.
I don’t hunt, but I support hunting
that is lawful and responsible. Every
autumn neighbours hunt deer on our
farm. They have standing permission,
but they still check in every season –
a shining example of hunters who
respect landowners’ rights.
Coyote hunting is a highly
emotional subject for many – for
landowners who feel their rights are
being disregarded by trespassing
hunters; for landowners who have
lost livestock and pets to coyotes;
and for hunters who can’t seem to
understand why anyone would object
to hunting and killing what one
called “worthless vermin.”
Coyotes are not vermin. They are
hardy apex predators and play an
important role in nature’s
ecosystems. They have a right to be
here – to hunt, reproduce, and live
out their lives. Unfortunately, when
human habitation rubs up against
wildlife habitat, conflict can occur.
Stories of coyotes occasionally
attacking livestock and pets are,
sadly, real. Farmers who lose sheep
or pet owners who lose dogs to
coyotes have my sympathy. I too
would be upset. But farmers and pet
owners are ultimately responsible to
ensure the security of their animals.
Yes, even with the best defences in
place, occasional coyote incursions
will occur. But this doesn’t mean that
coyotes are inherently malignant. It’s
unreasonable to blame wild animals
for taking advantage of an easy meal.
An excuse that some coyote
hunters utter in their defence is, “We
have no choice but to follow our
14 The Rural Voice
What would Wile
E. Coyote think?
Gary Kenny is
retired from
farming and a
career in inter-
national human
rights and develop-
ment. He lives in
Grey County.
Viewpoint
Salestttt ServicettttRentals
519-273-3307t info@mrcwireless.com
400 Huron St., Stratford, ON N5A 5T5