In an effort to decrease the number of coyotes in the area, the County of St. Paul decided to participate in the Regional Coyote Reduction Program alongside the County of Two Hills. The program places a bounty on coyotes.
Council will make decisions regarding specifics of the program, such as the projected budget, at its upcoming December meeting. A letter was received by council from the County of Two Hills Agricultural Service Board (ASB) chairman Soren Odegard, presented at its Nov. 8 meeting.
“Our board feels that a regional and more concentrated approach is needed to have effective control of coyotes in our communities,” said the letter. “It is felt that a regional program of this type would not only alleviate predation of farm livestock but also lessen the effect of coyotes encroaching on residences’ where young children become vulnerable to these wild animals.”
In the past, County of Two Hills residents were paid $15 for each coyote brought to the ASB office. Two Hills staff verified 1,299 coyotes between December, 2010, and April, 2011.
Last year, the County of St. Paul decided not to take part in coyote reduction. Coun. Frank Sloan said he received calls from ratepayers who were disappointed the County didn’t put a bounty on coyotes.
Sloan also noted this year was one of the worst for predators killing livestock. He said he lost a few calves to predators.
“This spring it was a major issue in the St. Lina/McRae area,” said Sloan after the meeting, adding, he is also worried with the high number of coyotes in the area, the animals could start going after family pets.
Sloan said council wants to be sure the surrounding municipalities of Bonnyville and Two Hills are also doing the program before moving ahead, because it works best when everyone is doing it.
“It’s a problem here,” agreed Coun. Glen Ockerman during council’s meeting. Although the program will cost “a few dollars,” the County should participate, he added
The program is similar to the Coyote and Wolf Reduction Program currently in place within the MD of Bonnyville. The MD ran the program for the first time last year and is doing so again this year, said Matt Janz, director of agricultural services with the MD of Bonnyville.
“We found that our predation on livestock was quite high,” said Janz. The MD was receiving a number of complaints from residents in regards to the high coyote population and council decided to look at an alternative to poisoning the animals, added Janz.
Last year, the MD took in over 1,100 coyotes and 24 wolves. The municipality paid hunters and trappers $15 per animal.
“It seems like it was a success,” said Janz. Calls coming into the MD about predation on livestock went down 60 per cent. There was also a decrease in complaints coming in from residents living in subdivisions or on acreages.
Having the $15 payment in place gives hunters and trappers more incentive to go out and get the animals, said Janz. The MD encourages hunters to harvest the fur off the animals.
“We just encourage that the animal is used, and not thrown away,” he added.
This year’s program began on Oct. 1 in the MD of Bonnyville and will run until the end of March, 2012, or to the point where the municipality reaches its budget.
An estimated 1,000 to 1,200 animals will be hunted or trapped within the MD this winter.
Following the County of St. Paul council’s discussion, Ockerman made the motion to participate in the coyote reduction program. All councillors agreed. Council also mentioned looking into a bounty on beavers.
