Attended a Whitetail Deer program at the local Agriculture center last night and the subject of coyotes came up. The Biologist that was leading this part of the meeting told us that coyotes are not near the problem that most hunters think they are. He said more young deer are caught by bobcats than by coyotes. And the reason hunters don't know about the bobcats is that we don't see them as often as we do the coyotes. Food for thought. Personally, I see way more coyotes than bobcats, just like he said, "Out of sight, out of mind".
The new county agent spoke on food plots, the game commission biologist spoke on the various approaches to management. Bottom line was, and as a "meat hunter" it's hard to swallow, let the young ones walk. He explained that a lot of the rulings handed down by the commission for approval actually are very political in nature. One that stood out was why do you have to have 640 acres to get doe permits and how did that develop?
Treefarmer
I spend a lot of time up in my stand early in the morning and evening and in last 18 months I've seen 3 bobcats but no coyote. I've even spent few nights with bait (hog remains) out in the field and never seen coyote. I've seen couple of what I think was coyote (could have been dog) tracks around my property. I have seen loose individual and pack of dogs running around here and I'm pretty sure they kill some fawns. BTW. I've heard hogs will kill and eat fawns too.
I saw a massive yote on Saturday evening. He was the biggest I have ever seen. Way too far for a bow
One that stood out was why do you have to have 640 acres to get doe permits and how did that develop?
Treefarmer
What was their answer to this question? I'd like to know because where I hunt up your way there are doe all over the place but the only way John can get doe permits is if he goes in with the neighboring farms.
