Bonavista hunter shoots large coyote!!

[Edward Smith]

Story courtesy of The Telegram

Published on March 14, 2012

A hunter has shot what is believed to be one of the biggest coyotes ever recorded in Newfoundland and Labrador. Joe Fleming of Spillers Cove, near Bonavista, shot the animal near Half Way Pond on the Bonavista Peninsula on Monday after tracking it for about a month.

The coyote was double the size of regular large coyotes. It weighed in at 37 kilograms (82lbs).

“I’ve been hunting a long time. This is the biggest one I’ve seen, the biggest one I’ve weighed,” Fleming, a crab fisherman, told The Telegram.

When he first saw the tracks a couple months ago, Fleming said he thought it was a lynx and hoped it wasn’t trailing him to jump him.

But then he realized there was a small coyote travelling with the animal.

Some people have commented the animal is more like a wolf, than a coyote. But Fleming said wildlife officials are convinced it’s a coyote, adding officials have taken blood and hair samples.

More in Thursday’s Telegram.

Fleming brought the carcass to wildlife officials in Clarenville and says DNA and blood samples have been taken in an attempt to determine why this particular animal was so large.

He says he knew the carcass had to be preserved so he took it to an outdoor supply store in Lewisporte where it will go on display once it is mounted.

[Cathy Stamp]

According to our wildlife division they only grow to be 32 pounds....looks like were going to end up with a sub species.   Strange the wolves have not crossed over the ice to St. Anthony from Labrador!

[kenneth Griffiths]

Now i wounder why that is cathy?? The coyote can do it, why not the wolves.

[Cathy Stamp]

Exactly!!! DUH!

[Lew Osmond]

Looks like a wolf to me. One was trapped out on the west coast last year and reported to wildlife. I think they once again are living amongst us. It is conceivable they arrived the same way the coyote did.

[alex march]

looks like a wolf to me to.got to be some wolf it it at least.look how the ears are short and stubby and the snout is to.

[Ben Scaplen]

Isn't the eastern coyote a coyote-wolf hybrid anyway? And we've even got a more wolf-like hybrid? I recall that in one of those seminars. I guess we'll have to wait to find out what part coyote/wolf he is!

[Doug Piercey]

If that dont look like a wolf, I dont know what does. That must have been an awesome hunt and a big eye opener. Thanks for posting.

[Christopher Paddock]

I'd be astounded if that DNA test didn't indicate at least some wolf DNA. That animal is significantly larger than a normal coyote.

That raises a question: if the tests show that this is a wolf, or event mostly wolf, does this mean trouble for Joe (considering that wolves are not technically a legal game species in this province)? I hope not, as it would have been an honest mistake (he likely wasn't expecting a wolf).

[Mark Sheppard]

Well, looks like our isolated island could potentially contribute to larger predators. If you have some time and want to educate yourselves, check out this link at Wikipedia.

Wikipedia and Island Gigantisim

My biggest concern is that the public will become even more uneasy at the capture of the largest predator to walk on our soil since the last wolf was shot in the early part of the last century. Those wolves were larger than their cousins on the mainland too. I have great respect for coyotes as efficient predators in the ecosystem. I hope that the uninformed public doesn't decide to head out on a witch hunt and treat the coyote the same way they treated the wolf and hunt it to extinction.

Either way, I think that it is safe to say that the interest in the sport of hunting coyote just went up a few notches. Well done to Mr. Fleming. I hope he wins the contest in Lewisporte.

[Peter Emberley]

What ever it is, I wouldn't want to meet it with a fly rod in August.

[joe fleming]

went coyote hunting and called for about three minutes with challenge call when this guy came in.I got a shock would be under statement.heard comments that it must be a wolf but he was travelling with another coyote about 40 pound range according to what i've seen, and can't see a wolf hanging around with a coyote.any way hope you enjoy those photos and it was an exciting hunt.weighed in at wildlife in clarnville at 82 pounds.

[Peter Emberley]

Congrats Joe. This is a beauty of a beast. You must have gotten quite a supprise with this monster. It's pretty easy to see why our caribou is declining with these beasts running around. Hope your next one is bigger!! Good Luck!!