Control measures underway for coyotes
Trapper turns attention to coyotes in Cape Forchu
When Mitchell Rodgerson was called by a friend and asked to trap coyotes in Cape Forchu, Yarmouth County, he was glad to help.
His friend’s dog was attacked by a coyote in December, which didn’t come as a surprise to Rodgerson, who has been a licensed trapper for three years.
“What they’ll do is come to the edge of the property and get the dog to chase one of them and the pack is waiting, and they jump him,” he said.
Rodgerson, an Arcadia, Yarmouth County resident, recently sent his first pelt shipment of nine raccoons, four beaver and a coyote to Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. in North Bay, Ont.
Rodgerson says coyotes in this region are a cross breed between coyotes and wolves – called coywolves. He adds they’re very hard to catch this year.
“I was talking to the fur buyers that were here (recently). They said trappers are having a hard time catching them because wolves are really smart; it’s almost impossible," he says.
“You can’t have nothing showing (on trap set) and if they smell anything they’re gone.”
Feb. 28 is the last day for snaring coyotes, but those who use traps have until March 31.
Some trappers use footholds. These hold an animal and the trapper has to dispatch them when found. Rodgerson prefers to snare.
“It’s done, and the animal isn’t suffering in the woods. It’s quick and easy.”
Coyote pelts sell for around $70 to $80 (price fluctuates). Pelts must dry for 24 hours before being shipped off to market (in Finland or Ontario). Coyote fur is used primarily as a trim on clothes and footwear.
Sonny Smith, who has been trapping for 15 years, is Rodgerson’s mentor.
“I taught him everything he knows,” he says with a laugh.
He remembers when there used to be a $20 bounty on coyotes and the pelt sold for around $35.
In late January Rodgerson set his first snares in Cape Forchu. On his second check he had his first coyote.
“I’m hoping to haul quite a few more,” he says. “Generally, if you catch one they don’t come back but there’s a lot of scat (droppings).”
From what they expel, he’s noticed the coyotes are not eating much and that they’re on the beach eating lobster shells.
“That’s not their regular diet. They’re generally eating rabbits, mice, voles. I think I’ve only seen two signs of rabbit since I was here last," he says. “If they’re not eating much, they’re going to be hungry. That’s why they came after the dog.”