Coyotes now fair game if they pose a danger
‘That doesn’t mean that you have to get out there ... with pitchforks, guns and traps’
Hunting or trapping of coyotes or wolves is prohibited in North Kawartha Township — but there’s a caveat.
Landowners are allowed to kill them if they believe they’re a danger to a human or animal, council heard during a presentation from local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) staff at its regular meeting Tuesday.
After hearing from two local residents about the increase in coyotes in the community, including sightings near Apsley Central Public School, township council requested a visit from MNRF staff to discuss solutions to the issue.
Under the Fish and Water Conservation Act, there is no hunting or trapping of coyotes or wolves within the township’s area, Colin Higgins, management biologist with the Peterborough-Bancroft MNRF office, and Brent Patterson, senior research scientist, wildlife research and monitoring section of MNRF, told councillors.
But provincial legislation also states that a person may kill, harm, harass, capture or take a wolf or coyote, or damage or destroy its habitat, if they are acting to protect a human being, animal, pet or livestock, said Higgins.
This applies to both private and municipal landowners.
“In the case of the municipality, you’re considered a landowner, so the municipality is responsible for municipal land,” Higgins said.
“That doesn’t mean that you have to get out there yourself with pitchforks and guns and traps, but you’re responsible if there is a coyote in the town or the village that is presenting a threat and you want it removed. You’d have to make arrangements to have somebody do that.”
Higgins said private landowners can contact the Ontario Provincial Police or ministry staff in either Peterborough or Bancroft if they
Under the Fish and Water Conservation Act, there is no hunting or trapping of coyotes or wolves within the township’s area
are worried about coyotes on their property.
“When coyotes show up in the community, it’s usually because somebody’s feeding them unintentionally or because pet food or garbage or something is being made available,” Higgins said.
A mangy coyote, which had been seen roaming around the Apsley area this past winter, has been confirmed dead, said Higgins.
The MNRF website offers the following tips for coyoteproofing a property
■ Keep pet food indoors
■ Use motion sensor lights
■ Do not leave small dogs unattended
■ Keep dogs inside at night
■ Keep your dog on a leash
■ Clean up after your dog, as coyotes are attracted to dog feces
■ Protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences
■ Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles.