The Urban Coyote Management Workshop

On April 21, 2011, the Izaak Walton League hosted the Urban Coyote Management Workshop sponsored by the Wildlife Damage Management Working Group of the Wildlife Society and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources. This was the second workshop on wildlife damage management hosted by the Izaak Walton League. The previous workshop, held in 2010, focused on shooting in sensitive environments.

The Rise of Human-Coyote Conflicts

A workshop on the management of coyotes may seem strange to members of the Izaak Walton League given that conflicts with coyotes in Nebraska tend to center on livestock predation. Yet, in many parts of the U.S., conflicts with coyotes are on the rise. While coyotes typically attack pets and scavenge on trash, instances of coyote attacks on humans, including one death of a 19 year-old in Cape Breton Highlands National Park Canada in October 2009, are not unheard of. In light of these events, the Wildlife Damage Management Working Group decided that a hands-on workshop on the management of coyotes in urban areas was needed.

Coyote Damage Management Training

The workshop began at 8:00 A.M. The 38 participants were divided into three groups based on their experience with shooting and trapping coyotes. The groups were assigned to the three field stations which consisted of shooting, footholds, and snares and cable restraints. The groups remained at each station for one hour before transitioning to the next in round robin fashion. Although the morning temperature was in the low 40’s and accompanied by a regular breeze, attendees took advantage of the opportunity for some hands-on experience.

Hands-On Coyote Damage Management Training

In the shooting section, Rob Erickson of On Target ADC, demonstrated the benefits of a 12-gauge shotgun fitted with a Metro barrel and the proper use of suppressed and unsuppressed .22 caliber firearms. With League member Dr. Scott Hygnstrom as range master, Erickson covered firearm selection, shot placement, safety rules, and other considerations when dealing with urban coyotes. All attendees were able to to shoot a wide range of firearms and ammunition. Footholds, traditional and padded-jaw, were discussed by Chad Richardson of USDA-Wildlife Services-Nebraska. He demonstrated setting techniques and  had each of the attendees make their own dirt hole set. Those new to trapping quickly discovered that setting dirt holes in wet clay soil is not easy. In the cable restraint and snaring area, Tim Julien of A & T Wildlife explained the finer points of using snares and cable-restraints for coyotes. As an added bonus, the manufacturer of the Collarum™ trap, which is a canine specific and live-trapping device that captures them by looping a relaxing cable over their neck, helped oversee setting the trap. While certainly, one hour of instruction for each of these sections is inadequate, the goal of the workshop was to provide attendees with an introduction to the tools and techniques useful for urban coyote management. In that regard, we consider the training successful.

Cage Trapping Coyotes

After a quick lunch, Claude Oleyar of Equalizer Wildlife Control in Colorado, gave instruction on the use of cage traps in the capture of coyotes. He explained the challenges and the opportunity that cage traps provide. The rest of the day was spent inside the lodge. Rob Erickson spoke for the next two hours on surveillance in site selection as well as handling clients. He demonstrated how attendees could use Google Earth to assist them in finding dense sites in urban areas. He also described  difficulties in handling municipal coyote control jobs. He repeatedly cautioned participants about the importance of being careful, professional, and using the best equipment available.

Media and the Control of Coyotes

Joe LaBarbera of the LaBarbera Media Group rounded out the day by helping attendees understand how to handle the press. As a former news reporter, LaBarbera explained how reporters are under tremendous time pressure and noted that reporters will report a story whether you speak to them or not. LaBarbera said it is critical that you provide the facts and that you avoid saying “no comment.” In no circumstances should you ever say something is “off the record” cautioning that there is no such thing.  He encouraged attendees to begin building relationships with reporters so that your perspective will be treated fairly which is the best that you can hope for. LaBarbera provided explicit rules of dos and don’ts in media relations which provided everyone with strategies for a more successful experience in dealing with the media. The workshop concluded with supper from Parker’s Smokehouse, which included beef, pulled pork, muffins, and baked beans along with apple crisp for dessert.

Future Coyote Training Opportunities

The Wildlife Damage Management Working Group and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources wishes to thank the Izaak Walton League for making their facilities available to us. In addition, we express our special thanks to Mike Kunkee for his willingness to go beyond the call of duty to help us. We also thank the kitchen staff of the Thursday night Trap League for “sharing” the kitchen with us. We commend the League for its leadership in helping us provide research-based information on wildlife damage management to the public.

Authors

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
Scott E. Hygnstrom, Professor-School of Natural Resources, UNL