by Alison Despathy
As an undergraduate at University of New Hampshire, almost eons ago, I studied ethnobotany to understand how cultures use plants for food, medicine and life. To this day, I visit the local woods as much as possible. Fortunately our property is right close to the Steam Mill Brook Wildlife Management area which is over 10,000 acres in Caledonia County.
I have explored this pristine wilderness almost everyday and as much as I can ever since we moved here. I have found vast swaths of wild ginger, nettles, goldthread, ramps and even rare lady slippers, goldenseal, American ginseng, the parasitic Indian smoke pipe and mushrooms galore including lion’s mane, chaga, turkey tail and reishi. I hike with my dogs and give thanks for those who hunt coyotes with dogs because I know the coyotes that live in these woods will think twice before attacking me. They have been trained by the hunters to keep their distance and fear humans and dogs. This saves lives and encourages a respected buffer zone between the fierce, beautiful world of coyotes and domesticated humans and animals.
If coyote hunting with dogs is banned, humans, pets, homes and livestock will be at increased risk from roaming coyotes who know no boundaries and have no reason to fear humans and dogs. The next generations of coyotes will not know to steer clear of humans and dogs. They will continue to infringe and there will be more incidents and need to eliminate them.
Without an apex predator such as a human with dogs keeping them on high alert, they will become emboldened to push their limits not understanding the risks that await them. This is the natural state of the world. Populations are managed, predators and prey are held on guard, know their boundaries and hold a healthy fear of the human world and even our dogs because of the coyote hunters with dogs who continually remind predatory coyotes to keep their distance. This is how healthy functioning ecosystems work.
Coyotes are beautiful, wild, and free. They are also brutal, fierce and deadly. So often humans attempt to make the argument that killing a coyote quickly with a gun is more humane. This argument wreaks of anthropomorphism and does not respect the coyotes way of life. Let’s imagine what a coyote would want versus what we humans imagine for ourselves. Coyotes are relentless hunters, they chase, rip, and devour. They are brutal and devastating because they are wild and fierce hunters and survivors. This is why we both love and fear them. Death by gun with no fight, no chase, seems so disrespectful to their innate being. To have the opportunity to run and escape or fall prey to the pack is the coyote’s path, this is what they know, this is what they live. We should honor the coyote by allowing coyote hunters with dogs to keep the balance and natural cycle of life alive and well.
In her letter to VDC, Brenna Gladenzi, President of Protect Our Wildlife discussed a preliminary injunction that “would,have protected the public and our property from packs of uncontrolled hounds running at large in pursuit of coyotes….”. Coyote hunters not only greatly love and respect their dogs, they have admirable and astonishing control over them– much more than many dog owners. Gladenzi refers to the “constant game of whack-a mole with trapping and hounding lobbyists spreading misinformation left and right.” It is actually the coyote hunters who are dealing with this constant game of whack-a-mole and these ‘ban coyote hunting with dogs’ vengeance bills that keep resurfacing in some shape or form and do not allow a moment of rest for these hunters who are literally saving lives, protecting homes and helping to naturally balance wildlife. As their spokesperson and lobbyist, Mike Covey has worked tirelessly to uphold and protect the rights and way of life of hunters who are integral to the fabric of Vermont and the safety and welfare of Vermonters.
There are many coyote hunters over the years that have come up to the Steam Mill Brook Wildlife Management Area. We border this space and most days I venture into the deep woods. In almost 25 years of living here, I have encountered one coyote hunting dog. He was beautiful, timid and gentle. He stood at the edge of our driveway and gave a quick bark to let us know he was there and had lost his pack. We offered him a bowl of water and because he had his tracker on, in no time at all, his owner arrived and apologized profusely. I thanked him for helping keep the coyotes at bay and then they were on their way.
Most nights at our home, we hear the eerily beautiful barks and howls of coyotes, sometimes too close for comfort. I personally thank all coyote hunters who use dogs. I know that all of us who live near wild spaces are safer because of the constant message their hunting practice sends to the coyotes to keep their distance and respect the human domain. For those of you who hike in the woods, enjoy seeking nature, and live near the wilderness, be sure to thank your coyote hunters who love nature and their dogs and are keeping our rural communities safe and this vital tradition and benefit to society alive.
The author is a clinical nutritionist in St. Johnsbury.
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Categories: Commentary
I imagine this to be an allegory for we humans.
You imagine Correctly! As a matter of fact, it IS fact.
coyotes are the least of my worries now/// getting way to many distractions/// watch the economy and the banking melt down/// 2024 will be a very interesting year// this will be felt by every body///
Are there not simply too many coyotes being exterminated?
Even with Vermont’s current hunting and trapping laws, the coyote population is relatively stable, if not ‘saturated’, at between 6000-9000 individuals, a number which is, apparently, more dependent on habitat, not hunting and trapping. In the west, for example, only concerted and sustained control efforts have proven to limit the coyote population.
AS has been written by environmental experts & scientists on this topic (none of which encompass the 3% of trappers in VT who aren’t experts or scientists in any area) the coyotes simply breed at more frequent heat/mating cycles to keep up with the destruction and death being heaped upon them by trapping, shooting, tracking them with catch-dogs, poisoning them, and/or beating them to death with clubs.
The answer to the newly arrived European-American settlers herein is to of course employ domestic Mountain Dogs – a breed specifically developed to protect & guard ALL MANNER of cattle/livestock from predators – which are otherwise NEEDED in the wild.
But trappers & “hunters” (self-described) don’t seek solution, they wish only to satiate their blood thirsty lust to torment & kill animals native to these Green Mountains for the sheer “pleasure” of doing so.
And now the legislature is keenly aware, thanks, in part, to their continued voice on VDC.
Kathleen…please. That’s a classic Armageddon response – a strawman fallacy.
No one is advocating for openly poisoning or beating coyotes to death with clubs – ‘to satiate their blood thirsty lust to torment & kill animals’. And even your logic confirms Alison’s point. Be they Maremma Sheep Dogs or Australian Border Collies, coyotes have a greater respect for them because hunters use dogs.
And yes, life can be, and often is, brutal, even here today in the U.S.. But Vermont’s coyotes not only cope, they are thriving.
Life is anything but fair, let alone perfect. I once heard it said, ‘Striving for excellence is doable. Perfection is God’s work’.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SupiQDSyscE/sddefault.jpg
ops i almost forgot/// looks like the sheriffs are not going to be controlled by the governor , house, or senate/// this is a win for we the people/// we want our money back for that phony impeachment of the sheriff///
Great article.
Coyotes are “vermin” in the same way the VT wolf, the VT Rattler, the VT Catamount, the VT black bear were/are “vermin”. In fact, every single one of God’s creatures serve purpose to the environs and the natural manner of supporting healthy ecosystems.
Like ALL Canids, Coyotes are highly intelligent, social animals who form and keep tight familiar bonds and pose ZERO threat to human beings. Any threat to human being’s much more newly introduced to this region livestock can be EASILY protected by the employment of domestic MOUNTAIN DOGS – bred specifically by man to guard livestock and shown to be effective in doing so over 99.4% of the time in preventing cattle – predator encounters.
The fact is, trapping & culling with catch dogs isn’t done to reduce any such encounters nor can it be as SCIENCE has determined it doesn’t work as EXPLAINED already in full detail by POV on this very site only last week.
Trapping is employed specifically to fulfill the bloodlust of trappers & those who send out catch dogs to harass & terrorize their canine cousins until the “hunters” gather to shoot or bludgeon the exhausted animal to death for “sport”.
“In fact, every single one of God’s creatures serve purpose to the environs and the natural manner of supporting healthy ecosystems.”
Indeed. Including the coyote, what they hunt, and what hunts them.
Kathleen –
“…ZERO threat to human beings.”
Absurd.
Please review the following link to coyotes doing bad things – to HUMANS.
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/csbvtfsc/pages/75/attachments/original/1709233618/Coyote_Article_Links.pdf?1709233618
More propaganda from the the minority population of those who trap on VT.
In fact, the very recent legislative meeting in front of the legislative body gave precise statistics on the devastating effects that trapping has caused to endangered species and to domestic dogs. Personal testimony along with photographic evidence and even videos portray the heartbreak and inhumanity and environmental losses that trapping has caused.
Thank you to the dozens of animal advocates, wildlife experts, and personal witnesses who presented their cases to the lawmakers – they represent the nearly 70 % of VT residents who wish to place the protection and safety of all pets and animals and the environs over & above the desires and blood lost drives of but a couple of hundred of trappers and those using unattended catch dogs to harass and jeopardize and kill both their targeted and non- targeted animals with abandon.
Why is this still an issue, coyotes are vermin and need to be curtailed, a single female
can have a litter of five to ten pups every year and studies show Vermont has thousands running around, these liberals that think using dogs to chase this vermin is cruel, just wait until their fluffy puppy or cat comes up missing……………..
Where do we get these people? we do have issues in the state, real issues, and this boondoggle isn’t one of them
The population supposedly needs to be “curtailed” (as per the trappers claim) because the trappers and hunters exterminated entire populations of other predators which were once living within these Green Mountains such as the Gray Wolf & the eastern Cougar. Once they were totally annihilated, it caused the unbalance, as it always does in every region this is executed, of the entire ecosystem.
Where do we get people in this state who do not care to understand what every single environmental organization on a national basis – replete with dozens of environmental scientists on their panels has informed us of – and implement THOSE changes & recommendations into PROPER & SAFE environmental management in VT?
Thank you Alison for this explanation of conservation.
Thank you, BRENNA GLADENZI and the environmental experts of POW VT, as well as the UVM graduate students participating in the fight to keep all animals and Vermont residents safe in their out-of-doors experiences in VT and to engage all Vermonters in proper wildlife management.
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE VERMONT: Genuine truths from Genuine science-based FACT & DATA & STATISTICS.
BRENNA GALDENZI, HEAD OF P.O.W. VT. Easily accessible on the web.
This article illustrates an even broader point about the importance of free speech and open debate. I can’t speak for anyone else but I for one did not know 90% of what the author wrote in this article. I hope this piece is read and digested by those who propose the legislation. If we only listen to one side of a question we cannot make good decisions. It seems we are being led by one side of many questions in Montpelier and the other side is not given a fair hearing (climate/weather, abortion/innocent human life, public health questions, etc.). Bad decisions result.
I suppose then you will not come to terms with the fact that the “other side” has been ALONE enforcing rules & regulations and never allowing the MAJORITY of average, anti-trapping residents who comprise well over 93% of the VT population to have a voice at the table —- until they only finally themselves succeeded in doing so after having enough of their dogs attacked and/or murdered in cold blood by trappers & hunter’s catch dogs?
I guess you will not admit, though the evidence right here on VDC will testiy as to proof, that the only people having been prevented from FREE SPEECH on this topic has been me and the members of the POW in this state – right on this site – were termed, in light of our views against trapping:
1.) Unable to find “suitable” mates
2.) Having had abortions
3.) Old
4.) Overweight
5.) Idiots
“Views” such as those were written into the record on this site for all to see, collected & assembled, and are now in the hands of the legislature so they can aptly see precisely how the right to “free speech” was attempting to be SILENCED by the trapping proponents who comprise merely about 4% of the VT population.
Human beings are also beautiful, wild, and free.
They too can be brutal, fierce, and deadly. In fact, they are the deadliest mammals, by far, on earth.
They are always brutal, fierce, and deadly when they believe foolishly that they can and should command and control nature by attempting to cull and lord over the animals God has created – which always, ultimately ends in unmitigated disaster – as with the Eastern Cougar and the Gray Wolf right here in VT.
Trying to wipe out predators in order to “save livestock” is playing God and NEVER works – it merely, each and every time, leads to the disruption of the ecosystem and an unbalanced/unhealthy ecosystem.
Will we ever learn?
Apparently the answer is “no”. At least not in Vermont.
Want more coyotes? Hunt & kill them ORE OFTEN.
Predation-Stress Hypothesis – Proven via Scientific Evidence & Analysis.
Stress augments the reproduction potential AND ability of MAMMALS. It causes, amongst other things: more heat cycles/earlier sexual maturity/elevations & secretions of reproductive hormones.
Fact. Reality. Science.
Speaking of strawman fallacies, animal rights organizations have shown videos of self proclaimed hunters beating trapped animals to death with clubs, so therefore the statement that such acts do not take place, is exactly the type of strawman fallacy you speak of. It occurs with regularity.
As far as comparing catch dogs to guardian livestock dogs and claiming they are one in the same is too utterly ridiculous to assert by a person with your intellect. Livestock guardians are housed and kept and contained on the same acreage as are their charges whom they guard and their sheer presence, imposing size, protesting vocals, and body posturing keeps predators at bay including Cougars when employed by ranchers out west where larger predators than coyotes roam. Catch dogs, on the opposite end of the spectrum, race unattended throughout miles of open forests and are unable to distinguish, as testified to in front of the legislature last week, between domestic dogs on hikes with their owners and coyotes. Running in packs of several, they bite and attack and often attempt to kill their prey – as they did to the VT resident’s pet Leonberger dog who almost died after being pursued by a hunter’s band of unattended catch dogs.
Perhaps the pro-trappers who embody a tiny minority within the state of VT would cease from propagated such rhetoric and blatant lies that are then spewed on forums such as VDC if you and others would actually watch and listen to the open meeting testimony of animal advocacy experts as opposed to relying on the nonsense chronically forthcoming from the minority group of trappers.
The legislative meeting with the dozens of Vermonters who seek equal representation on wildlife management issues is right on line.
Sorry again, Mr. Eshelman, but what ONCE hunted coyotes in the wild were totally ERADICATED by the European American “hunters” once they arrived in Vermont from locales such as Ireland, England, Germanu. Italy and so forth and decided that WOLVES, and poisonous snakes and CATAMOUNTS all posed too much of a threat to their imported cattle and sheep, so they proceeded to kill them into extinction on VT.
Now they want to ensure that the only carnivorous predator which remains, the coyote, is also so annihilated whilst simultaneously complaining about the fact that the deer and rodent and similar small mammal populations are somehow, someway, unexplicitely ” out of balance”.
Human beings within North America do NOT consume canine species. Therefore your point regarding their being ” hunted” within a food chain is deceptive at best. These trappers and men employing catch dogs to kill coyotes is for “sport: and not for sustenance. They aren’t hunting, they are killing in cold blood by means of firearms and bludgeoning for the sheer pleasure and primal, primitive need to overpower and exterminate other living creatures.
Coyotes have ” no reason” to fear humans or dogs? And from which scientific or environmental journal did that ideology stem from? Coyotes fear both humans and dogs as do wolves and the VAST majority of bears except when the protection of cubs is involved.
Coyotes possess an imperative function within the environment and and remain the only apex predator left in the VT wilderness following the extermination of all others via trapping and bounties imposed by white settlers.
If coyotes are so “dangerous” to humans, where precisely are these accounts of attacks and deaths of humans by these canids? Please again, provide police reports so that these events might be perused by all.
https://www.wcax.com/2022/06/23/panton-woman-attacked-by-coyote/
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/04/us/coyote-attack-los-angeles-girl/index.html
https://www.cp24.com/news/mississauga-man-attacked-by-coyote-while-walking-his-dog-1.6750681
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-park-closed-after-coyote-bites-children/ar-BB1ih4k4
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coyotes-child-attack-cape-cod-massachusetts_n_61184b10e4b0454ed70e6019
Rare but it happens. When they lose fear of humans and fail to recognize our dogs as a threat, the risk of dangerous coyote/human interactions is increased.
If they fail to recognize threats, how do they continue to function & survive as a species?
Farmers utilize the aforementioned Mountain Dog breeds as flock guardians out West with close to a 100% success rate.
And ALL mammals, humans included especially, have the propensity to attack and/or to kill other being & humans do so more than any other mammal as a matter of fact – and are one of the only mammals known to to do so entirely for sheer pleasure & entertainment.
Hence forth? Trapping & killing coyotes with CATCH dogs! Sheer pleasure & entertainment as culling coyotes and even wild boars does NOT alter populations.
Predation-Stress Hypothesis: Studied & analyzed by world renowned universities including Oxford in G.B. (But I suppose ol’ Eddie in the NEK knows different).
That’s not an ideology, its her experience. You may feel it’s anecdotal but gaslighting is something an ideologue will do. You’re perspective has been shared, anything more seems argumentative at best.
This input is 100% refundable 🔥
I don’t & haven’t “gaslighted” – a terminology often used by democrat progressives in another feeble attempt to dodge the facts & reality being presented. But you & your pro-trappers certainly do & have as they attempt to avert science, data, and statistics each and every time they “expound” upon their vast environmental expertise whenever they are called to STORM VDC.
Thus far, you have been totally unsuccessful in silencing even me. As far as POW? That’s even more far-fetched.
this coyote thing is like diarrhea, it keeps on flowing/// enough/// flush the toilet on this one///
Where is the outrage, opposition alliances, and legislation against the gruesome assault of mosquitoes and deer flies by savage, colonial humans? What’s the difference?
If you truly cannot discern the difference between a scientifically termed intelligent mammal and a deer fly…….
Why I personally INVITE you and quite a few of your fellow trappers to attend and testify at the very next legislative meeting where POW will be armed with their facts, statistics, data, photographs, videotapes, and excerpts from VDC itself.
Please DO make it a point to attend.
On the “science” issue….during the plandemic (i beleive you have used and fully understand that term) did you never argue against “the science” that was obviously skewed to favor authoritarianism and profit corporate pharma? When i worked as a wildlife biologist for an environmental consulting firm we had to write environmental impact statements and reports all the time. However when writing them, lets say for the US Army looking to expand a fort, we knew we would never be contracted again if our report didn’t ultimately allow for the expansion of their interests. I bet i can find science on the proof of consciousness in mosquitoes or deer flies. Does that make it fact? Absolutely not.
Carl, I actually never used the term of “plandemic” on VDC but others have. No matter however, though I recommend that you personally attend the next sessions of the legislature when bills related to wildlife management and to bills specifically re: trapping and the use of catch dogs for coyote “hunting” are scheduled. It will be at times such as those which will obviously be warned, that you can use your own level of expertise to counter the aforementioned expertise, personal testimonies, and data & statistics (some taken directly from VT F & W).
It appears that trappers & associated “hunters” who very unscientifically & incorrectly refer to mammals such as the predator coyote as “pests” believe that whoever “wins” the “last word” on VDC are those who shall be named as “victorious” in the upcoming court cases and in the legislature’s ultimate decisions concerning this issue — and nothing could be further from the truth.
Other than the past very sexist & harassing verbiage used against me on this forum in an unsuccessful attempt to silence my own opinions and to keep me from bringing forth just a small portion of the facts which POW possesses, the banter on VDC ultimately determines NOTHING in terms of how the legislature may or may not rule – though, again, the past comments that were very personally levied against me after utilizing my freedom of speech on VDC weren’t looked upon particularly favorably by most.
I imagine that’s why we adults direct youngsters to refrain from bullying one another; it typically doesn’t end well.
Where is it warned?
Thank you Ms. Despathy for this factual, well written, non judgemental article.
The article is in fact, replete with biased propaganda from ONLY pro-trappers — who comprise a very tiny minority of people within the state and each point made is and already has been refuted in detail by:
Environmental scientists
The POW organization right on videotape last week in front of the legislature
The counter-points I have provided repeatedly in retort utilizing scientific data and statistics with sources (from prior articles on VDC) included therein.
thanks you for the well written article. To bad Ms. Gaffney does not understand.
I apparently not only understand the weak, biased, and unscientific excuses for arguments that trappers rally around, but I’m very obviously considered a major threat to your status-quo, or the dog whistle wouldn’t be routinely sounded to storm VDC to attempt to counter my valid writings.
In the interim, the legislature, the ones making the final decisions on this topic, continue to entertain all the very flaccid arguments shared here in writing by the very small & ever-dwindling pro-trapping group today and each day forthcoming.
Yet it does remain quite complimentary to me that a gang of approximately 25 or mostly male pro-trappers could never silence the voice & commitment to the humane treatment of animals as provided by one lone woman.
It would serve Ms Despathy to follow the science about coyotes!! Even our own Fish and Wildlife Department has stated very clear on their own website that hunting coyotes with or without dogs does NADA to manage coyote populations. All you and the Coveys of the world have are scare tactics as Ms Galdenza said in her letter. The amount of nonsense I’m hearing from people is staggering. The only reason I even looked at this website is because of the letter from POW. Otherwise this website is full of MAGA lunactics.
To Chris Bradley (btw, posters……removing the “reply” icon doesn’t prevent me from replying as I simply shall reply in a new comment)
Your very first story up of the list which doesn’t INCLUDE VT which is what I requested, you sent me dating to the year 2022 SPECIFICALLY states that the fatal coyote attack was the ONLY fatality EVER to have been caused by a coyote in North America. One. Uno.
How does that translate to trappers designing to wipe out the ONLY apex predator left in VT that they already haven’t exterminated thus far? It DOESN’T.
How does ONE fatal attack in 250 or so YEARS justify crucifying an entire species of socially-complex and highly intelligent animals??? It DOESN’T.
ANY animal -but especially man, of course – will attack or kill another being if they believe they or their offspring are in peril. Generally, animal attacks in VT & elsewhere (foxes/racoons & even very occasionally, coyotes, are found to be infected by rabies.
So once AGAIN, I request the list of deaths & dismemberments from coyote attacks in Vermont over the last 25 or 30 years……..
If they are in fact this “dangerous”, the list of vicious attacks on people should be easy to acquire.
Human beings are NOT the prey of coyotes. The main source of food for coyotes are rodents & they do a grand job, as God intended, at keeping them at bay within the ecosystem wherein THEY serve their own purpose.
You made the RIDICULOUS statement that there “ZERO threat to humans”.
I proved you and your diatribe wrong.
I provided a link to a whole slew of news stories about coyotes doing bad things – which included a human being killed and abundant stories of humans being bitten and attacked. Those links were done in my “spare” time, and they do include links to VT.
Gee: A person being killed by coyotes is not ZERO as you claimed, is it?
Where is the mantra now of “if only we can save just one life…”
Great article.
Great article when trappers, specifically, are seeking validation for their cruel & inhumane “sport” of killing animals for “pleasure” and “profit”.
Fortunately, again, nearly 70% of ALL VERMONTERS are opposed to these mericless acts of torture & slaughter.
Are there any more trapping enthusiasts mostly from the NEK who have never posted on VDC whatsoever to sign on today in this STAGED attempt which only further demonstrates their pure desperation in countering the scientific, rational, educated, & factual arguments against the continuation of these gruesome “sports” that are played in the woods/forests that ALL Vermonters recreate in?
I’m certain the members of the legislature can’t see through this vaudevillian attempt.
Ask Senator MacDonald what has been eating his livestock. He should hire a coyote hunter with dogs for a few days and I think his problem would be resolved.
Kathleen – I love your passion and wisdom. I fully respect your willingness to take the time to point out all of these important points on this controversial issue. Humans are part of nature, we have a responsible role in the balance and health of our ecosystem. Obviously what that means looks different for each of us.
I firmly believe that my family, animals and home would be more at risk to coyotes without these hunters who are in my humble opinion protecting rural communities and homes. I wish I was raised with these skills but I was not so I am thankful for those who continue to keep this practice alive with honor and clear intention. I am sorry if this clashes with your perspective. It is my own personal experience and belief- that is all. Thank you for engaging and sharing.
one has used free speech quite often on this coyote subject 22 times today///
That’s free speech. There’s no restrictions……even when others attempt to have you submit.
The amusing part is that I have nothing to do with either the potential legislature nor the court proceedings. I imagine that the group responding to their dog whistle is ill-equipped to stand before those who will ultimately make these decisions.
reactionary disturber/// did it again//// now we have 23 about the coy/////