MHs asked to kill coyotes on Klickitat Co. ranches

[pianoman9701]

I got an interesting email from the master hunter coordinator while I was out of state last week. I'd like to believe this signals a change of attitude regarding predator management in the upper ranks, but I won't hold my breath.

"Greetings, Master Hunters! While all of this snow is pretty and makes for great sledding conditions, it isn’t helping the cattle ranchers in Klickitat County. There are several livestock producers who have been having issues with coyote predation on livestock – primarily newborn calves – in and around their calving operations. I am requesting the help of any Master Hunters interested in helping to remove coyotes from these immediate areas and to help monitor/guard livestock during this vulnerable time, especially during night-time hours. The livestock producers are losing calves to coyote predation nightly, and the sooner we can get relief out there, the better. It looks like USDA will be getting involved in the near future, but I would like to get Master Hunter boots on the ground starting tonight or tomorrow, if at all possible.

What I need from you:
Master Hunters (individuals or small teams, it doesn’t matter) who can drive out to central Klickitat County (Centerville and Wishram areas) and carefully and responsibly hunt coyotes in the middle of active livestock operations. Please contact me directly by email or on my cell (below) and I will put together a schedule of availability. The most helpful time would be during the night, but daytime assistance would also be appreciated. Even if you don’t have coyote calling equipment but would be willing to sit in a truck in the middle of a cow herd at night and keep a lookout for coyotes, that would be awesome. Once I have a schedule of availability, I will put Master Hunters in contact with the landowners needing assistance, and the Master Hunters will coordinate with the landowner from there. Please keep in mind that the cows and calves are the livelihoods of these ranchers, and they are justifiably nervous about allowing hunters that they don’t know to work around their cows.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to assist! I will work with Amy to record your volunteer hours on this project."

[Tracker0721]

They need to make this stuff known to everyone. So when I’m hunting for ranchers and farmers and identify the coyotes dens on neighbors lands I don’t get told they like coyotes because they only kill mice. Almost every ranch I hunt has neighbors that tell me that. Dunno when the public started thinking only wolves and lions kill anything bigger then rabbits.

Well I hope you master hunters have fun! Night hunting is a blast about now when they’re all riled up for a fight.

[pianoman9701]

We all need to help correct people who are misinformed about different aspects of hunting. Making sure we have the facts by studying our craft and the animals we hunt puts us in a good position to do so. This is all part of being good conservationists and showing non-hunters that what we do have many positive impacts on wildlife and people living with wildlife.

[Bushcraft]

We all need to help correct people who are misinformed about different aspects of hunting. Making sure we have the facts by studying our craft and the animals we hunt puts us in a good position to do so. This is all part of being good conservationists and showing non-hunters that what we do have many positive impacts on wildlife and people living with wildlife.

 

[WSU]

I got that too. Too bad I’m so far away or I would have gone.