Too many coyotes on the lamb, farmers say

[Tony Cooney]

Sheep farmers say coyotes have become so destructive, there is now a shortage of fresh lamb in the local marketplace.

Farmers say coyotes, which have only been reported on the island for several years, are making it difficult for an already struggling industry to survive.

Coyotes are causing increasing havoc for sheep farmers.

At least 300 lambs and sheep have been killed on the Avalon Peninsula alone in recent years.

Farmers are experimenting with guard dogs, mules and llamas to keep the coyotes at bay.

However, they say that's expensive.

Howard Morry, who shot one coyote and snared another on his farm in the Goulds, says the province needs an intensive trapping program to bring the coyote problem under control.

Farmers would like the government to help by putting a heftier price on the heads of coyotes.

The province pays $25 for each carcass brought in

 

Last Updated: Friday, October 22, 2004 | 11:58 AM NT

CBC News

[Peter Emberley]

When & where, no charge!!

[Rod Oldford]

I'm with Peter when and where 

[Shawn Reid]

The sheep farmers can also come up with a bounty them self. I was shooting and trapping coyotes for a pasture that was matching the governments bounty and did not seam to mind it at all. It cut back on there coyote problem. Just a though!

[kenneth Griffiths]

I would like to have his # to do a few hunts on his land.lol

[Steve Blackwood]

I don't know where the original information for this post actually came from.... If it is the case that Tony actually has contact with some of the farmers or knows someone who does maybe we can form a sort of partnership. If there was a list of interested farmers with contact info listed here it would make it easy for any of our members to give them a call and make arrangements to hunt on their land. I am of the same opinion as most of the rest of the guys, would love to have the option of hunting on private land, especially if there is a known presence of coyotes, but I do not know any farmers. If the names and numbers of interested parties were listed here I would definitely give them a call. Might be viewed as a win-win for some people. Just a thought....

[Peter Emberley]

Good idea, Steve. I'm sure if we contacted the sheep farmers, they would be happy to have us there.

[Steve Blackwood]

Might be worth a try...