MOOSE JAW, Sask. – A coyote is sometimes a producer’s best friend.
A coyote that is hanging around but not causing any problems should be left alone, says Mike Gollop, Saskatchewan Environment’s problem wildlife and fur specialist.
Such coyotes can be the best protection for a sheep flock or cattle herd, he told a multi-species grazing workshop.
“There are problem coyotes,” he said. “There are a lot of coyotes that simply don’t bother.”
Taking out those coyotes will only cause more problems, he said.
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“An unexploited (coyote) population is your best guard.”
A local population of coyotes that are not harming livestock will help keep away outside coyotes or other predators that may be more harmful.
Killing as many coyotes as possible will keep the population in upheaval and could lead to trouble, he added.
Gord Schroeder, executive director of the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, said some rural municipalities that have placed bounties on coyotes have actually seen their problems increase.
“I’m not sure it’s taking out the right ones,” he said.
Gollop urged producers to learn to recognize a predator’s kill. Coyotes are scavengers and are sometimes blamed for kills that were actually natural deaths.
Ian Esson, who has worked with the Saskatchewan Livestock Predation Program since its 2001 inception, said an animal that was killed will have bruises on the hide. A more in-depth examination would show pink, spongy lungs instead of the dark purple heavy lungs of a stillborn and the presence of milk in the stomach.
Producers who aren’t sure should call in an expert.
If coyotes are indeed the problem, it’s important to take out the alpha pair, the core of a pack responsible for killing large prey, said Gollop.
Killing other pack members won’t end the problem.
Both Gollop and Esson said producers can manage their livestock to limit predators.
Deadstock, stillborns and afterbirth all attract predators and should be disposed of properly and sick or weak animals should be closely watched.
Esson said other factors could affect predators’ behaviour.
Efforts to reduce the deer population to control chronic wasting disease will lead to hungry coyotes, he said.
Elk are moving south, moose numbers are increasing and within 10 years there will be a good timber wolf population in agricultural areas to prey on these species.
Long, harsh winters that take their toll on wildlife could force wolves to turn to livestock.
He added that bigger farms offer better habitat and fewer people to scare them off.
Esson doesn’t believe cougars are a big problem.
“I’d be more scared of the wild pig population,” he said, citing wild boars that have established a strong presence in parts of Saskatchewan.
