[stweedie]

Harry Vanderweide recently wrote an article in the Maine Sportsman stating how he feels that Coyotes will someday be a big game species in Maine with a specific season, and bag limit. He compared coyotes to the black bear problems in the 60's when they actually had a bounty on them and were considered a nuisance animal. The same month in the Northwoods Sporting Journal one of their writers wrote an article about the population explosion of coyotes and how deer hunters should shoot every coyote that they have a chance at. I tend to agree with the latter and often find myself wondering how Harry comes up with these ideas. I have a few ideas myself for changing the title of his "Ramblings" column in the Sportsman.

 

[kenton6]

At least he "Rambles". Yeah, I think it is pipe dreams but Maine has to do something to promote more hunting in this state. For all intent and purposes in Maine there is a quiet little bear season, a too short Moose season and then deer season.
The other 10 and a half months out of the year nothing goes on. Guns collect dust.

 

[BruceT]

To me having coyotes as big game animals is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.The deer population up here in northern maine is hurting enough due to a combination of coyotes and cutting off all the deer yards.A limit on coyotes?The state should instead do something to get more people to kill more coyotes and stop cutting all the deer yards.

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

You'll never stop someone from cutting trees on land THEY own and pay taxes on!
I think, to protect the general public, we need to dip into the GENERAL FUND and pay out bounties for coyotes. They have to be tagged anyway, so there's your count!

What is next? Limits on porcupines and woodchucks?

 

[kenton6]

Most people who strive toward designating a certain species as big game is thinking about one thing and one thing only - MONEY!
If they designate the coyote a big game animal, they can charge more to hunt them. There are far too many coyote now nationwide. Coyotes are costing farmers millions each year through loss of animals to predation. Nationwide coyotes account for well over 60% of all losses to sheep, goat, and cattle farmers.
Yeah, let's make em Big Game! NOT!!

 

[BruceT]

Today checking traps in the new snow could not find a deer track without a coyote track along with it and I see alot of deer tracks.

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

You can't be serious! Harry V. think about money??? NEVER! (I wonder what his cut / kickback from the state would be).
Between Harry and that self worshipping SPAM g...uh I mean S.A.M. President, whatshis name... They have IF&W or the legislators wrapped aroung thier little fingers!

 

[kenton6]

I don't know that much about either one of them guys Jack but I am beginning to believe that George Smith, SAM director, has too much power. I am curious as to whether his lobbying efforts are more those of his own convictions or if he is really representing SAM.

Coyotes are everywhere and they ain't going to just go away either.

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

George & harry lobby for themselves, no one else.

 

[swamp ghost]

In my opinion there are plenty of coyotes out there and there should be a bounty on them.some kind of prize or a free licence to anyone who hunt's this animal on a regular basis....anyone who sit's around and says they dont get enough hunting time there gun is collecting dust no-licence ! there are plenty of coyotes out there all you got to do is get into the wood's bait''' em call''em.....call ''em big game and augusta will stick there money grabbing fingers into our business raise some more crap on us and that will be that .... there is no reason you all aint out there hunting...after all you did pay fpr a licence