[kenton6]

In our discussions about deer management problems for northern Maine, it is being brought to the discussion that there are two things having the most affect on the deer population - coyote and lumbering operations. (Personally, I believe the biggest is weather but we can't control that)

This is our predator forums, so let's begin a discussion about coyotes and share observations and suggestions of how to deal with too many coyote.

I have been involved with forums for a long time and I realize that often we all participate in the embellishment of stories as well as share anectodal evidence much of which can be second or third hand information or just plain rumors. For the purpose of this discussion, please make every attempt at keeping your observation to those you have personally witnessed.

I have heard many times suggestions of instituting a bounty. If this were to happen, two big questions I have are, 1) How much would the bounty have to be to get hunters and trappers out, and 2) Who is going to fund this?

As a hunter and/or trapper, are you willing to pay an extra $1, $2, $3, or $?? for your license if that money were specifically designated for coyote bounty?

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

NO.











Why should we keep paying more and more? I'm tapped out, let the yuppies pay for a change!

 

[stweedie]

You already have to pay $3 or $4 to hunt at night. Maybe they should just wave the fee to encourage more guys to get out there. As for the bounty system I'm thinking with the anti's crawling up our orifices it isn't a good idea, AB mentioned that you can get some money out them selling them even unskinned. I know Ben's Trading Post in Presque Isle had a coyote contest last winter and I think he had somewhere around 60 registered for the contest. Maybe more of these contests could promote more coyote hunting.

 

[kenton6]

stweedie,

Ben's contest..... what were the prizes etc.?

 

[strings54]

K6, the only real and very efective way to reduce the coyote population at the time the deer need it most[winter] is a snaring program and we all know where that one went. snaring in and around a deer yard is a very effective tool to coyote predation on deer. i heard a story of a person or persons snaring 50 + coyotes at one deer yard . coyotes know where the food is and seem to tell all there friends that an easy meal can be had at a deer yard. trappers are the coyotes worst enemy if they are given the right tools to work with . in my opinion the tool that is most efective is the cable snare. strings

 

[stweedie]

Ben's Trading Post contest had cash for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place with the $5 or $10 entry fee along with a Maine Vue Optics 6-24x50AO scope that we donated to go along with the first place winner. The rules were simple enough you had to shoot the coyote legally, and have the mouth propped open for weigh in so you could see if someone stuck lead down in the throat or something. Unfortunately he had one A-hole that bought a couple coyotes and tried to register them even though he was caught the first time and the second all but proven to have bought it was told he could either withdraw the coyote without any questions, or keep it in the contest and Ben would let everyone know what a dishonest, lying, piece of crap he was.

 

[kenton6]

So you're saying the contest was based on the biggest yote. What would happen if it were based on who registered the greatest number?

 

[BruceT]

Bring back the cyanide(Not spelled right) sticks the government used to use on coyotes years ago.That would put a hurting on the coyote population.

 

[stweedie]

A valid point K6 and it would encourage a guy to keep at it after shooting a big dog. I don't think the government is going to help out much in thinning the coyote population, although allowing the use of snares again would most likely be a big help.

 

[BruceT]

Allow trappers to use them in unorganized territorys.

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

K6, the only real and very efective way to reduce the coyote population at the time the deer need it most[winter] is a snaring program and we all know where that one went. snaring in and around a deer yard is a very effective tool to coyote predation on deer. i heard a story of a person or persons snaring 50 + coyotes at one deer yard . coyotes know where the food is and seem to tell all there friends that an easy meal can be had at a deer yard. trappers are the coyotes worst enemy if they are given the right tools to work with . in my opinion the tool that is most efective is the cable snare. strings

This is what will reduce yote numbers, PERIOD!
Right on, Strings.

 

[aroostookbasser]

Try this.....20.00 bounty finanaced by a special ten dollaor a year licence and another lottery ticket.......

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

A/B, you can't seriously think that anyone would PAY another$20 to hunt yotes! That is the most absurd idea yet!

You keep talking about everyone paying more and more and more but getting ABSOLUTLY NOTHING in return. Right now I can shoot coyotes every day of the year except Sunday.

Rather than working in a new direction, lets work on getting something back THAT ACTUALLY AFFECTED COYOTE NUMBERS, the snare!
This "user pay more" attitude of yours is going to keep hunters out of the woods, more coyotes alive and less deer for you to watch after the {antis} in augusta ban your deer hunting with your help!:shock:

 

[aroostookbasser]

YYYYYooooooWWWWWW........my butt hurts....sorry dude......ease up a little.......just words on a screen......how's your rubber ducky?

Holy smokes all I offered was more food for the debate........therapy may be in order here Capt.........beam me up Scotty!!!!!!!

P.S. I was just kidding...........like we need another lottery scam, more fees and less service.

 

[sremington]

:runforhills:

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

YYYYYooooooWWWWWW........my butt hurts....sorry dude......ease up a little.......just words on a screen......how's your rubber ducky?

Holy smokes all I offered was more food for the debate........therapy may be in order here Capt.........beam me up Scotty!!!!!!!

P.S. I was just kidding...........like we need another lottery scam, more fees and less service.

No AB, I don't believe you were just kidding and your words are more than "on a page". You are gathering a batch of vigilanties to try to ban buck hunting in your county. Actions speak louder than words.
You want everyone else in the state to fund/finance Aroostooks deer fix that by the way, is a non-scientific fix, and you have mentioned this coyote lottery idea of yours several times. You keep asking "would you/sportmen pay for ......."
I REALLY AM GLAD to have you back with us here on the board but I have to ask you this....can you/will you think of the State of Maine as a whole instead of just your county?

You have given enough ammo to the anti's with all your backdoor ideas and they do not need more help from us hunters.








I apologize if I seem gruff but we are being attacked from several directions including the Sportsman's Aliance of Maine, aka george smith and his merry band of public money pocketeers!
Yuppies and green weenies are soliciting millions from big corperations and hollywood types to ban hunting & trapping in Maine and S.A.M. executives have now formed a new group and sucked over $60,000 of public money since November to make us pay to fish the Kennebec river.

The anti bear-hunt and anti trap folks are coming back this year and they have a real good chance at ending both.
There is a law suit ongoing between IF&W and some "trust-fund-babies" organization that still isn't resolved.

I say if you want to shoot a big buck, stop throwing lead at the little ones and talk everyone in Aroostook County into the same thing. Nature runs in cycles, sometimes 5 year and sometimes 20 years cycles. Don't try to fix what the good Lord set in motion.


There is a WAR going on in this state and if you want to help fight it, stop picking little fights and help with the big battles. As long as baldacci is KING, we will be on the losing side.

Peace bro!

 

[kenton6]

I enjoy the passion of a good debate that shows how we all feel about issues. I don't think anyone here is overstepping any bounds at all. I think the AB feels strongly for what he is doing. And yes Jack, it is focused just on Aroostook. If nothing else it has generated some discussions. In the long run, we can only hope it all does some good somewhere.

One of the things I love the most about hunting, is when you become witness to seeing someone who has deep seeded past, experience, and a true love of the sport in them. It's that fight with passion that will keep hunting and trapping alive.

You're right Jack, we are at war. Any and all discussions we have should be geared toward strengthening the hunting coalition in Maine - all working for the same goal of protecting our heritage and making it better. There are bumps in the road and we will get over them fine.

I agree with Jack that we as sportsmen have to look at the complete picture when it comes to hunting, fishing and trapping in Maine. Actually, it goes well beyond that. It HAS to encompass all aspects of outdoor sports - i.e. snowmobile, ATV, hiking, fishing, hunting, trapping, skiing, etc. etc. A true sportsman is one that embraces all outdoor sports even if they don't indulge.

Back to the topic. I would like to ask the question to anyone who can answer it, "Is there any hope of bringing the snare back?"

 

[strings54]

K6,yu bring up a good point , anyone who is a true outdoorsman embraces all the sports. would'nt it be great if everyone could get together and sacrifice a little, and fight on behalf of all sportsman. banning together is what will keep our heritage of outdoor activies available for our children and grand children. i realilize that everyone has their own agenda but we all should appreicate it for what its worth , a fellow sportsmans ideas. please no one , take offense to this , but there is no one person who can fight the antis on there own and no matter what their cause we all need to either back them or be silent as to not bring friction within our ranks. all that said i am up for a good debate anyday LOL. strings

 

[BruceT]

I say bring back snares and allow syninide sticks like the government used to use years ago to get rid of coyotes.You could set them up out in the open away from bobcats and lynx.A little skunk on the stick and you would draw in every coyote around.No more coyote problem:dance:

 

[strings54]

Bruce T where yu from? i have a camp 40 miles outside of ashland and guide out of a camp on the fish river outside of portage. strings